pictures from the 1939 worlds fair ??

lguckert79 · 09-16-2011, 07:51 PM

Well my brother'in'law found these old negitives from someones house that he was cleaning out at work. These negitives are from newyork's 1939 world's fair and they are really cool loking their are on film like the film we use today but they are huge they are i think 3'' by 2''. what i was woundering is does any one think that these photos would be worth something like to a museum or a colector or something of that type? please let me know

SpecialK · 09-16-2011, 08:02 PM

They should have some value which depends on the condition of the negative, the subject and quality of the image. You could scan or mail them to one of the bigger NY museums with similar exhibits for evaluation.

RioRico · 09-17-2011, 01:34 AM

Originally posted by lguckert79

their are on film like the film we use today but they are huge they are i think 3'' by 2''.

Those would be 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 inch negs (6x9cm) from a 120-film folding camera. Such was very popular in USA from around 1910-1960 because a home developer could make usable contact prints without needing an enlarger or much darkroom space. The film is still available. Those kinds of cameras can be found used, cheap. I have a couple, and they're pretty fun to use.

Yes, check with a museum. Scan them if you can. Who knows, if you post the images, you could have another two-day internet frenzy!

lguckert79 · 09-17-2011, 09:53 PM

yes also with the negatives i got a very old camera that folds out in a accordian style with a lens atached to it . It is in great shape for how old it is, it is just the door to get to the film is rusted i need some wd40 to get it open it i will work on it.

I need to know who to get in contact with to see if some one would like the negatives to display i would donate them to a museum

anouther thing is could i scan these with a normal scaner and would it work??

Mike Cash · 09-18-2011, 04:02 AM

Instead of WD40, try using plain old lighter fluid (naptha) instead. It evaporates without leaving a residue.

Mike Cash · 09-20-2011, 05:49 PM

If nobody else wants them, please contact www.shorpy.com

I feel certain they would love to have them and would make them available for all to see, which is how it should be.

SpecialK · 09-20-2011, 06:10 PM

Originally posted by lguckert79

I need to know who to get in contact with to see if some one would like the negatives to display i would donate them to a museum

Do a little googling for art museums or historical museums in NY. Get their email from the "contact us" page on the museum's website and explain what you have. A "regular" scanner is fine at this point for an idea of what you have. A contact print of several per sheet would also be handy.

09-16-2011, 07:51 PM	#1
lguckert79 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 601	pictures from the 1939 worlds fair ?? Well my brother'in'law found these old negitives from someones house that he was cleaning out at work. These negitives are from newyork's 1939 world's fair and they are really cool loking their are on film like the film we use today but they are huge they are i think 3'' by 2''. what i was woundering is does any one think that these photos would be worth something like to a museum or a colector or something of that type? please let me know

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09-16-2011, 08:02 PM	#2
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	They should have some value which depends on the condition of the negative, the subject and quality of the image. You could scan or mail them to one of the bigger NY museums with similar exhibits for evaluation.

09-17-2011, 01:34 AM	#3
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by lguckert79 their are on film like the film we use today but they are huge they are i think 3'' by 2''. Those would be 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 inch negs (6x9cm) from a 120-film folding camera. Such was very popular in USA from around 1910-1960 because a home developer could make usable contact prints without needing an enlarger or much darkroom space. The film is still available. Those kinds of cameras can be found used, cheap. I have a couple, and they're pretty fun to use. Yes, check with a museum. Scan them if you can. Who knows, if you post the images, you could have another two-day internet frenzy!

09-17-2011, 09:53 PM	#4
lguckert79 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 601 Original Poster	yes also with the negatives i got a very old camera that folds out in a accordian style with a lens atached to it . It is in great shape for how old it is, it is just the door to get to the film is rusted i need some wd40 to get it open it i will work on it. I need to know who to get in contact with to see if some one would like the negatives to display i would donate them to a museum anouther thing is could i scan these with a normal scaner and would it work??

09-18-2011, 04:02 AM	#5
Mike Cash Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,950	Instead of WD40, try using plain old lighter fluid (naptha) instead. It evaporates without leaving a residue.

09-20-2011, 05:49 PM	#6
Mike Cash Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,950	If nobody else wants them, please contact www.shorpy.com I feel certain they would love to have them and would make them available for all to see, which is how it should be.

09-20-2011, 06:10 PM	#7
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	Originally posted by lguckert79 I need to know who to get in contact with to see if some one would like the negatives to display i would donate them to a museum Do a little googling for art museums or historical museums in NY. Get their email from the "contact us" page on the museum's website and explain what you have. A "regular" scanner is fine at this point for an idea of what you have. A contact print of several per sheet would also be handy.