A Real WOW Moment at Salvation Army Thrift Store

Historyhound

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Recently saw this metal case at a thrift store for $9.99. It blew me away when I opened it up. Couldn't have run to the check-out any quicker than I did. I was amazed at what was actually in it when I got it home. Full of vintage bulbs, camera lens filters, a couple other tidbits, and 3 old metal film canisters. 1 canister, had a roll of b&w negatives, and the other 2 had exposed rolls in them. The negatives date from the 40's, pics of cars parked on the street where all from the early 40's and older. Brought the film to a developer today. Turns out 1 of the 2 film rolls was empty, but the other one still had the film in it. So I'm having that roll developed and prints made from the negatives. can pick them up next Monday. I'll post some when I get them. Also, turns out there is a lot of value here. To give you an idea, just the 2 red filters are Leica Ernst Leitz Wetzler, and are worth around $50 each. The guy at the photo store is interested in the flash bulbs, so before I part it all out on eBay, the whole case is coming with me on Monday when I pick up the pictures. But, to me, the treasure is what may be on the undeveloped roll. Update will follow next week.
 

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huntsman53

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Super great find and purchase! I would be worried if any of the photos and film was taken by a world renowned Photographer, that the guy at the Photo Shop might make copies and sell them before you know what has happened. He may be honest and would not do that but one has to take extra care when dealing with vintage photos, films and audio tapes. I have heard of a few folks making some similar finds but knew ahead of time who the Photographer was, so they had the Photo Shop sign a contract where they were not allowed to make copies and/or sell anything found on the film. I have some really old vinyl record studio recordings that have nothing on them to identify what and who is recorded on them. Several folks with the right equipment have offered to take them and find out what is on them but since they wanted to do so without me present, I refused. One of these days I will find out what is on them and hopefully they will have rare or unknown songs by highly sought after artists that may or may not have been well known back when the songs were recorded,


Frank
 

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tamrock

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I still have a Kodak I got for Christmas maybe in 1966 or 67 ? that uses those flash cube's. I bought for 10 bucks each a month or so ago a Primo Jr TLR and a Rollie 35S. If you do your research you'll find these higher end 1990s era point and shoot 35mm camera are bringing some big bucks now. Be on the lookout for the ones mentioned in this link that could very easily turn up in a thrift store or yard sale http://www.digitalrev.com/article/the-10-best-35mm-point-and-shoots-ever-made
 

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randazzo1

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I still have a Kodak I got for Christmas maybe in 1966 or 67 ? that uses those flash cube's. I bought for 10 bucks each a month or so ago a Primo Jr TLR and a Rollie 35S. If you do your research you'll find these higher end 1990s era point and shoot 35mm camera are bringing some big bucks now. Be on the lookout for the ones mentioned in this link that could very easily turn up in a thrift store or yard sale http://www.digitalrev.com/article/the-10-best-35mm-point-and-shoots-ever-made

Those camera prices are incredible. Thank you! I always overlooked point and shoots.
 

boogeyman

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The filters bring a pretty penny!!! Don't overlook the 35mm film cans either the collectors really like the aluminum ones. The flash bulbs will double in price if you make little oak display bases to set them in. Sheeze even flash cubes are good money. Hint - Remember the photo lab guy will only offer you around 1/3 what their worth. Check the sides of the filters for type & size and do your homework for values / prices before you take them in. Don't jump on any old offer! There's a fairly large market people don't realize.

EXCELLENT buy! You don't know how well you did! And you've got a cool Harbor Freight tool case to boot!
 

ecmjamsit

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I think you will get way more on eBAY than a local store. He will just mark them up and sell them.
 

Oct 5, 2014
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Great find, congratulations! :occasion14:
 

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