How to start a photo collection

Willi Von Klugerman · 16 July 2009, 02:57 PM

Im very interested in obtaining more WWI aviation photographs of aces and aircraft but they rarely appear on ebay.So to you all collectors,would you share some tips to help me achieve this fine hobby!

Kilian · 16 July 2009, 03:29 PM

Are you looking for German photos or other nations ? On German ebay there's a lot on interesting photos offerd but also a lot of crap. You have to be careful.

Willi Von Klugerman · 16 July 2009, 03:31 PM

Im interested in WWI aviation photos of any nation,as long as it is an original.

Laserlloyd · 16 July 2009, 04:27 PM

For all the time that I have put into my Dr.I research I have not been fortunate in acquiring any hard copies of photo yet. I think that one has to lay out some money in acquiring them. I have seen them on Ebay and some actions houses some time has albums for sale.

My collection is all digital and for me I like this better as I can see a lot more detail when I can zoom in and if needed I can play with the contrast and brightness too.

I have heard

some of the stories out there about collectors lending there collection to other people to help out in identifying the photo and them some photos would be missing and or the whole collection being copied. I think this and the whole money thing makes them hard to get.

For me I'm more into collecting the digital images and If I want a hard copy I can print out one my self. This has a better response with other collectors in the occasionally exchanging images for me. I think most collectors now are digitizing there hard copies as this is a much easier method of trading, sharing and publishing and holding on to there original (copy).

There are a lot of collections I would love to get my hand on but will never have the chance in attaining. Sorry I don't have any information on this to share but I thought it might be interesting to hear a different prospective.

Lloyd...

wulffo · 19 July 2009, 02:34 PM

i have started a 'late' collection myself, so here are some tips. there are guys hat were around in the 60s and there are guys around with loads of cash. the former don't depart with pictures and their collections go to museums or the later through auctions.... so be it. a ggod way to start is via sanke cards. you get reasonably priced high quality pictures. there are a number of good references amongst others a site think it is www.sanke-card.com or something like that. also there are a couple of sellers check out the memorabilia section here in links. on ebay pictures do creep up but they are mostly uninteresting types.... having said this from time to time a complete album pops up with some of the rarer lanes hidden within. i found most antique/militaria shops to be hopeless as their idea of prices are usually too far from reality..... my recommendation for starting is ebay search for sanke title and descriptions which brings up some of the usual suspects (sellers). ONCE YOU FIND A REGULAR SELLE OF PHOTOS BOOKMARK HIM AND SEE WHAT YOU GET.... SORRYfat fingers caps lock.... and don't drive the prices up against me too often ;o)

YavorD · 11 August 2009, 09:29 AM

A Bulgarian captive balloon in operation east of Adrianople (postcard)

There is the start of my postcard collection

I do not think it will grow too fast for now.
Regards,
Yavor

Sreiko · 11 August 2009, 11:57 AM

I was a lot research but very little direct find. I have also visit few families which cousin was in WW1 as pilots. But the bulk of material coming from the accidentaly finds, garage sales, flea market and sometimes exchange. I have not much of WW1 but collection is interesting that I have even managed to help some great researchers name with my material.

As an illustrator and platic modeler, it is very important for me to have direct reference material so I will find more and more materials. Last few months I have get some dozen of images but in total from teh begining of this year I get few hundred of images. So my collection weight some few thousand of images, but small percentage is WW1.

Where you live Willy? Try search for the families and their relatives. I am sure that you will get direct contact with people who have something in their collections. No promise that you will get original but at least you will have first class digital record. Please note to make wider sarch, see all mechanicals who work there, carpentner, painter and so on. All of them like to be photographed with airplanes and to have images in their personal albums.

Hope this helps...