Difference between Type 1 and Type 2 Press Photos...

JoeyF1981 · #1 04-25-2014, 11:57 AM

In some cases there are no type 1's known to exist of a certain photo so sometimes a type 2 what you have to settle with. I have some type 2's that have way better clarity than most of my type 1's. It all depends and like everyone said buy what you like. Theres alot of sellers out there who are representing their photos as type 1's but have not done the research or have a clue what to look for. My best advice is if you find a photo youre interested in post it here so we can help you out. The best book to buy is yee/fogels book for any information you need regarding stamps, paper and everything else.

prewarsports · #2 04-25-2014, 12:02 PM

Most dates on the backs of press photos are secondary file marks. Most of the issuing agencies did not date stamp their photos (except on the paper slug) which makes it tricky if those incriminating slugs happen to "fall off"

drcy · #3 04-25-2014, 12:08 PM

I've seen date stamps before the 1930s.

As far as pricing goes, it depends what you buy and what you pay. People overpay and underpay for photos, so I can't promise anything on a specific theoretical photo. If, in a bidding war, you pay $500 for a $50 photo, I'm certainly not going to guarantee it's worth $500 in five years. A sad fact of today's hobby is people shill their auctions, and prices are realized prices are too high right now. Show me a specific photo and I'll tell you if I think the price was good. Buy quality originals at good prices. Don't jump on bandwagons (as with everywhere else, the hobby has fads), buy quality, know quality. You learn quality and rarity and pricing by following auctions and looking at photos. It's not something you can learn in a five minute lesson.

I think some stuff goes too high these days, but I also see many quality photos that I think are good bargains today. Some old display photos and display composite photos I think are undervalued or at least at good fair prices. Don't look just at news photos-- look into cabinet cards, panoramas, early display photos, tintypes, etc. News photos are plentiful, while the other areas contain many rarities. I thought many photos in the Legendary Dreier auction were undervalued.

I think the majority of collectors are undereducated and myopic, and simply follow hobby trends and fads. There are rare items that are undervalued because the majority of collectors aren't educated or experienced enough to realize the rarity. Collectors don't get wealthy from artifact investments by following latest trends and fads, but by knowing buying quality and rarity before the rest of the hobby realizes the quality and rarity.

I do think, looking overall at all the photos and not zeroing on one or two, past auction house results are a fair indicator of price. As I said, a specific photo may have been bought at a bargain while another went too high, so look overall at all the photos.

My guide to photos pdf ebook (long download time)

Drift · #4 04-25-2014, 12:41 PM

Thanks for the replys gentleman.

I guess I have no choice but to post the photo in question. I apologize to anyone who might currently be looking to acquire this particular item. It is not my intention to draw attention to it. I just need some experienced advice on the particulars.

I am interested in the photo for the pure collectors interest. I own several modern prints of cobb and I think it'd be wonderful to own one of the original vintage prints.

It is advertised as from the "Detroit Press" archives, not sure who the photographer was. It was last sold for $1175 in 2010, it's back up for bid.

The earliest stamped date on the back shows May of 1938 (stamped upside down, faintly hidden behind the attached piece of paper)

So who can tell me what type it is? If there are any definitive labels or signs to prove it's origins.

JoeyF1981 · #5 04-25-2014, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drift

Thanks for the replys gentleman.

I guess I have no choice but to post the photo in question. I apologize to anyone who might currently be looking to acquire this particular item. It is not my intention to draw attention to it. I just need some experienced advice on the particulars.

I am interested in the photo for the pure collectors interest. I own several modern prints of cobb and I think it'd be wonderful to own one of the original vintage prints.

It is advertised as from the "Detroit Press" archives, not sure who the photographer was. It was last sold for $1175 in 2010, it's back up for bid.

The earliest stamped date on the back shows May of 1938 (stamped upside down, faintly hidden behind the attached piece of paper)

So who can tell me what type it is? If there are any definitive labels or signs to prove it's origins.

My guess would be a type 2 but im not 100% sure. Since thats the earliest stamp on there and im sure you know the photo wasnt taken in 1938 then it more than likely is a type 2 since the clarity is still very nice. Theres other indicators such as paper type which could help pinpoint around when it was developed

billyb · #6 04-25-2014, 12:52 PM

Drift,
The value of photos is all over the place, that is what makes collecting original press photos interesting and fresh. No price guides to go by.
In Fogel and Yee's book, they mention the 4 C's, Content, Clarity, Contrast and Condition. Good adivice to follow. Drcy also has a lot of information on his web site.
As some say at buying photos, it is whatever you are willing to pay for it, and makes you happy.

JoeyF1981 · #7 04-25-2014, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billyb

Drift,
The value of photos is all over the place, that is what makes collecting original press photos interesting and fresh. No price guides to go by.
In Fogel and Yee's book, they mention the 4 C's, Content, Clarity, Contrast and Condition. Good adivice to follow. Drcy also has a lot of information on his web site.
As some say at buying photos, it is whatever you are willing to pay for it, and makes you happy.

I agree! There is no price book on photos and like you said if you love the photo then thats all that matters. Everyone has their opinion on what they think a photo is worth but its really all about what someone is willing to pay for it like anything else. Buy what you like.

drcy · #8 04-25-2014, 01:06 PM

The Cobb image is great, especially with Frank Baker being the other guym but for $1100 I'd want better condition and no image markings. But there's no question it's a great, clear image.

In person, a 1909 photo will be on noticeably thin paper, so you should be able to tell if you get in hand. I'd have to see it in person to tell you if it's original or not, though the image is crystal clear which is a good sign.

There are many original Cobb photos on the market, so you will be able to get an original sooner or later.

I know where the photo is, by the way. I would assume the seller is reliable about identifying originals.

I think it's fair to use the previous sale as a valuation marker.

drcy · #9 04-25-2014, 01:48 PM

I forgot to add that date stamps can be added years after, so a photo can be older than the earliest stamp.

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