I would not call me cheap, I buy stuff, but I justify the purchases, and I have a perceived value of everything… some sort of calculation that goes quickly thru my head and tells me if a price is what I want to pay or not. If it is not, then I have a tough time justifying the purchase. It works for me. The man in the photo is a photo himself, a piece of Kodak advertising, I have found info online that dates it back to around 1910-1920, safe to say it is probably over 100 years old. ‘Put a Kodak in Your Pocket’ was the tagline, it is actually printed on the frame, this version of the ad was printed and custom framed by Eastman Kodak and placed in pharmacies in the early 20th century. The camera in the pocket is a Kodak Junior; I have a version of the camera on display in my collection. Now, I bought this last October at the Brimfield Faire. It was hanging in a tent behind a bunch of stuff; the seller was this awesome woman who loved the piece and gave me some info on it. She also gave me the price. It did not fit in that perceived value equation that runs in my head. Not even close. The day before I signed the paperwork to start the construction of the barn. Wouldn’t this look great hanging in the barn, the photo studio barn, the old fashioned, photo studio barn? I WORKED for Kodak, and I covered the Pharmacy division for them. I have the damn camera in the guys pocket… I could not get that price to calibrate with my perceived value. I bought it. I did get some off the price, but still, this will forever be the exception to the rule I make for myself. I can not express how happy I am I broke my rule. It was the first thing hung in the barn. It is perfect art.
If you happen to be interested in seeing it, the 75+ camera collection around it, the photos from Cuba, or the barn itself, this Sunday, March 17th, 11-3 I am having an open house at the new studio. Stop by 19 Lincoln St. Medway.
tr/trp
