For Sale FS: Crown Graphic - $100

Trader history for c.d.ewen (1)

c.d.ewen

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 27, 2005
Messages
685
Location
Northeast USA
Format
ULarge Format
Half the LF world cut their teeth on an old Crown or Speed Graphic, and many, like me, have one buried in a closet. I've dug mine out.

It's in decent shape, which isn't hard to do, as there's not a whole lot to go wrong on a Crown. The leatherette is still there, but worn in a spot or two - nothing bad. This one doesn't have a rangefinder. I always found those dim, in any case.

The one "defect" I'll mention is that the seam on the outer bellows cover has opened a bit on the bottom of the bellows. Since the inner liner of the bellows is intact, and the seam is up against the camera bed, I've never had light leak problems and never bothered fixed something that wasn't broken enough to need fixing.

Comes with the desirable Graflok back.

$100 + shipping. The package will weigh a bit over 5 lbs., so figure shipping at $14 Parcel Post or $20 Priority Mail. Paypal accepted.

Charley

apes + $$$
 

Attachments

  • Crown-Front.jpg
    154.1 KB · Views: 197
  • Crown-Back.jpg
    273.6 KB · Views: 182

2F/2F

Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2008
Messages
8,031
Location
Los Angeles,
Format
Multi Format
Will a Crown in this condition really sell for $450 in the U.K.? Wow. I wonder what my near-mint '54 Speed in a case and kit will sell for. It might be worth the plane ticket over there.

As for this camera, yes, it is a good deal. I wish I had seen it before it sold. It would likely fetch at least $150 on E-Bay.
 

Ian Grant

Subscriber
Joined
Aug 2, 2004
Messages
23,266
Location
West Midland
Format
Multi Format
Pacemaker Crown & Speed Graphics aren't as common in the UK, so fetch far higher prices than in the US, they weren't imported after WWII until the early 50's due to Government Import restrictions on all cameras & luxury goods and by the time the restrictions were lifted there were far better alternatives in the UK market, MPP's and Linhof's. For some reason though people are paying way over the odds for them in the UK. The Graflok back alone would sell for close to $100 US or UK.

All new camera equipment has always sold (& still sells) for higher prices in Europe compared to the US and that's reflected in higher second hand prices as well, particularly with LF equipment. The price differential can be quite significant on some items.

Ian
 

2F/2F

Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2008
Messages
8,031
Location
Los Angeles,
Format
Multi Format
That does it! 1954 Speed Graphic for sale to England only! Near-mint condition, with case. Side Kalart RF. Fully operational and calibrated to its 127mm Ektar lens in Kodak Supermatic (X). 90mm Optar included, but no proper lens board for it. Also have Linhof-badged Schneider 180mm f/5.5 Tele-Xenar, which covers 4x5 with fuzzy corners, but is designed for 2x3. I have one extra lens board, but it is a hack job that came along with a bunch of other stuff. It has an out of round hole that I had to pad with gaffer tape to get the 90mm lens to mount. Includes 3-cell Graflex flash (brushed; not the earlier polished chrome Star Wars one) and both 5 inch and 7 inch reflectors. (7 inch reflector is not from the original kit; I bought it later. It has a big rust spot in one area, but works.) Also includes a midget flash modeling lamp and a Mazda to Midget adapter. Solenoid has been properly adjusted to allow for the use of class M bulbs with X synch. Includes original leather left-hand strap, though I have removed it to preserve its condition, and I mount another flash handle on the left for use. I also have several other H-R and Graflex flashguns and accessories, and two crates full of bulbs. You English are crazy! I am fine with my Linhof!
 

Steve Smith

Member
Joined
May 3, 2006
Messages
9,109
Location
Ryde, Isle o
Format
Medium Format
I will give you seven guineas for it, not a farthing more.


Steve.
 

2F/2F

Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2008
Messages
8,031
Location
Los Angeles,
Format
Multi Format
I am afraid I do not not have a cage for the guineas.....and my cats might not take too kindly to them.
 

Ian Grant

Subscriber
Joined
Aug 2, 2004
Messages
23,266
Location
West Midland
Format
Multi Format
Steve didn't say whether they were fowl or pigs

If he means the old Gold guineas then 7 seems rather a high price with the price of Gold as it is

Ian
 

2F/2F

Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2008
Messages
8,031
Location
Los Angeles,
Format
Multi Format
I should bring the Speed with me to London next time I go and sell it there. Shoot. What else have I got that will fetch a high price there and fit in my luggage??? Do you folks like American bubble gum? How about ball bearings? Guinea pigs?
 

Steve Smith

Member
Joined
May 3, 2006
Messages
9,109
Location
Ryde, Isle o
Format
Medium Format
We get Hershey bars brought into work whenever someone visits one of our US factories. Please do us a favour and leave them at home!


Steve.
 

Wade D

Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2006
Messages
897
Location
Jamul, CA
Format
Multi Format
I recently sold a Speed Graphic Anni to a guy in Sweden for US$140 + $55 shipping. He seemed very eager to pay the high shipping for the low price of the camera.
 

Ian Grant

Subscriber
Joined
Aug 2, 2004
Messages
23,266
Location
West Midland
Format
Multi Format
You could easily fund a week or so in the UK by coming over with some carefully chosen LF gear and selling it. Remember that aside from the quite high postage on larger items we (UK/EU) often get charged Import duty & VAT on the item & the postage, which can add another 21% approx, soon to rise by another 2½% in the UK.

I was lucky I paid no taxes on the 3 Speed/Crown Graphics or a Busch Pressman I've bought from the US. In fact apart from two 10x8 Agfa Ansco's which were large packages I've only paid duty/VAT on 2 smaller packages ot of well over 50, both were LF lenses.

Ian
 

Jerevan

Member
Joined
Nov 19, 2004
Messages
2,258
Location
Germany/Sweden
Format
Large Format
Wade, I figured he was happy! The most recent price I've seen (and I see about 1 or 2 for sale a year in Sweden) is US$560. So, anyone having a spare Speed for less than 200 with shipping, bring em on! I'd love another one to replace the one I foolishly sold 6 years ago.
 

Ian Grant

Subscriber
Joined
Aug 2, 2004
Messages
23,266
Location
West Midland
Format
Multi Format
Interestingly older cameras fetch even higher prices here in Turkey, I've seen two shops selling older antique cameras (one in Istanbul) and the prices are at least 2-3 times those in the UK.

Ian
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…