On-line Auction including rare British cameras

[Michael Wong]

Eaton S. Lothrop, Jr. ( - 2008) was a science teacher at The Collegiate School, a boys’ school in New York City, from 1954 to 1995, where he also taught photography. He began collecting cameras in 1960, started researching information on cameras and camera history in 1964, and began writing about them and their history in 1968.

Eaton has one of the largest and most comprehensive collections ofbox-form, magazine and “street” cameras in private hands, as well as perhaps the largest collection of single-use/disposable’ cameras known.

The Eaton S. Lothrop, Jr. photographic collection will be sold online between 10th to 30th June 2010. It comprises over 400 lots of cameras and related material dating from the 1870's to 2000's including a No. 1 Kodak camera of 1889 (estimate $1000-1500), stereoscopic models, an original Brownie camera of 1900 (est. $600-900), early English wood cameras, folding pocket Kodaks, an important series of American detective and hand cameras from the 1880's-1910. Among other rarities is a Boy Scout camera released to commemorate the movement's World's Fair, along with a 'Campfire Girls Kodak'. Estimates range from $150 to $3000.

A second auction of Lothrop's important library of original trade catalogues and reference books; photograph collection including daguerreotypes, tintypes and carte-de-visite and his own research materials will take place in the Fall.

Speaking to Amateur Photographer, camera historian Michael Pritchard, who catalogued the collection, said:'As someone who knew Eaton for many years I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to work on the collection. While it is a shame the collection cannot stay together, I know many collectors will welcome the opportunity to add to their own collections…'

Details of the auction can be found here.

[Michael Wong]

The American auction house, Everard & Company, released the results from their online auction of the Eaton S Lothrop Jr Camera collection. It was a huge success with around 98% of the lots on offer sold, and is thought to be one of the biggest private collections of premier cameras and related memorabilia materials going back nearly half a century. Lothrop Jr was one of the most respected and knowledgeable experts on photographic cameras, with his collection dating back to as early as 1870.

The auction featured cameras from America, France, Germany, England and numerous other nations which attracted interest from bidders across the globe. According to the Collectibles Newsletter, highlights of the sale included a Montauk Hand Camera, which smashed its estimated price of £130-260 ($200-400) to eventually reach £900 ($1,400). Elsewhere, an Eagle Camerascope sold for £1,800 ($2,700), three times the high end estimated price of £600 ($900) that had been set. More impressive still, was the Edison Tropical Stereoscopic Hand camera, which was auctioned for over £2,200 ($3,300) on the day.

Yet it was the French made Jide Ferrortype Camera, which sold for the highest amount. With an estimated price of £260-400 ($400- 600), a bidding war ensued, with the rare camera eventually selling for more than £2,900 ($4,400). The price was over seven times the high end estimate placed on the lot.

This second Lothrop Jr collection will consist of photographs, literature and research materials, and will take place in October. Keep an eye out on the BPH blog for further details.

Photo: The Eagle Camerascope sold for $2,700