Hundreds of Slides from the 60s

[RuesMovies]

I just inherited 100s of Kodachrome and Ektachrome slides from the late 60s. Lots of great architecture, sail boat race in Puget sound, landscapes, etc. Should I look at scanning and uploading these to a stock photo site? Donate them somewhere? They're not pictures of "memories" they are more like high quality magazine photos. I did not know this relative, the slides just drifted down through various people until they landed in my lap because "I'm the one that takes pictures."

All suggestions welcome!

 

[pbromaghin]

Maybe he can be the new Vivian Maier!

 

[bvy]

eBay. Put it in the hands of an enthusiastic collector and grab some cash at the same time.

 

[keenmaster486]

I would be wary of eBay because of "repurposing" people who would just stick the slides to an oatmeal can and spread glitter on them.

 

[RuesMovies]

I considered ebay - but I am leery of the "repurposing." I mean, deep down I don't have an emotional connection to the images - it's really more about the awesomeness of slide film and the genuine quality of the photographs. Also, there's a bit of "family legend" that this guy (who took the photos) was in the CIA, so I like to imagine that there's some kind of Da Vinci code in them! LOL

 

[RuesMovies]

Maybe he can be the new Vivian Maier!

OK - I checked out Vivian - what a story! I've only random-sampled boxes, but I don't think there are many people in the photos maybe 5% of the slides) That's why I was leaning toward stock...you know, sailboats, landscapes, buildings... I don't know!

 

[Loren Sattler]

I cannot offer any advice on a practical use of your slides. Just thought I would share my experience scanning my own old Kodachrome slides. I purchased an Epson photo scanner that does a great job with slides. You can hold four simultaneously in a plastic adapter which speeds the process. The quality of the resultant digital images is excellent. Thought this could be helpful if you decide to scan the collection.

 

[Slixtiesix]

I would not sell them. Which price to fetch? These things do not command much money, but if the buyer makes a fortune out of it (which I doubt, but happened) this may gall you forever.

 

[Wallendo]

Before doing anything, I would look at every slide, preferentially with a projector, or at least with a lightbox. Most of those hundreds of slides may be meaningless to you, but there may be a few family gems hidden among them.
If your relative really was in the CIA, you might have priceless photographs of Elvis having lunch with Bigfoot, Marilyn Monroe with JFK, or the Ark of the Covenant in a warehouse in Washington.

 

[wiltw]

For an anonymous work, a pseudonymous work, or a work made for hire, the copyright endures for a term of 95 years from the year of its first publication or a term of 120 years from the year of its creation, whichever expires first.
All works published in the United States before 1923 are in the public domain. Works published after 1922, but before 1978 are protected for 95 years from the date of publication. If the work was created, but not published, before 1978, the copyright lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years.

 

[RuesMovies]

I cannot offer any advice on a practical use of your slides. Just thought I would share my experience scanning my own old Kodachrome slides. I purchased an Epson photo scanner that does a great job with slides. You can hold four simultaneously in a plastic adapter which speeds the process. The quality of the resultant digital images is excellent. Thought this could be helpful if you decide to scan the collection.

Thanks - I have an Epson scanner - so if I decide to go the stock photo route, I will get that adapter

 

[RuesMovies]

Before doing anything, I would look at every slide, preferentially with a projector, or at least with a lightbox. Most of those hundreds of slides may be meaningless to you, but there may be a few family gems hidden among them.
If your relative really was in the CIA, you might have priceless photographs of Elvis having lunch with Bigfoot, Marilyn Monroe with JFK, or the Ark of the Covenant in a warehouse in Washington.

YES!! Lunch with Elvis! Time to get out my 8x loupe

 

[RuesMovies]

For an anonymous work, a pseudonymous work, or a work made for hire, the copyright endures for a term of 95 years from the year of its first publication or a term of 120 years from the year of its creation, whichever expires first.
All works published in the United States before 1923 are in the public domain. Works published after 1922, but before 1978 are protected for 95 years from the date of publication. If the work was created, but not published, before 1978, the copyright lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years.

Thank you - I sent out letters to a few other family members who may or may not have some interest in the slides. I don't think I'm technically "the closest relative, so there may be someone who has a legit claim... time will tell