NitrateVille.com

Hi everyone i recently acquired a bunch of 28 mm films some of which have never been archived before many WWI training films one of a former president on a hunting expedition to name a few, cartoon and max linda ,and lynol barrymore films also I'm having troubke finding out how to get a accurate value for them!!
if anybody has any info that would be able to help me that would be great. thnks for your time!

dino1 wrote:Hi everyone i recently acquired a bunch of 28 mm films some of which have never been archived before many WWI training films one of a former president on a hunting expedition to name a few, cartoon and max linda ,and lynol barrymore films also I'm having troubke finding out how to get a accurate value for them!!
if anybody has any info that would be able to help me that would be great. thnks for your time!

Hello Dino,

Welcome to the pages of Nitrateville. Two things are going to determine
value of these films. Condition and their rarity. Condition can be anything
from a clear base and no smell to the film, to a dirty yellow and a heavy
camphore or a camphore/acid smell. The last one will also have a greasy
feel to the film. Also if the film is complete or not will change the value.

As for rarity, some titles might do well on Ebay, however, just as you
found this post about 28mm auctions. The two gentlemen who are on
Ebay right now have flooded the market place and films right now and with
the recession in full swing prices reflect this. I would say this is not the
time to sell, but the time for research so you know exactly what you have.
The economy will pick back up again, it always does. Or at least I hope
it does.

I would say if at all possible a list of titles and start doing a bit of searching
on the web can lead to some information about your holdings. If you need some help with where to go for information I can send you some
helpful links. You can write me here on the public forum or PM me if you
like.

Pookybear

dino1 wrote:Hi everyone i recently acquired a bunch of 28 mm films some of which have never been archived before many WWI training films one of a former president on a hunting expedition to name a few, cartoon and max linda ,and lynol barrymore films also I'm having troubke finding out how to get a accurate value for them!!
if anybody has any info that would be able to help me that would be great. thnks for your time!

Basically, the advice given already is correct. But the only real way to tell value and rarity (and a lot of any film's value is based on the commercial exploitation of a title, not the actual print itself) is to get the advice of qualified archivists. The Association of Moving Image Archivists has 1000 members and if you want to write to me ([email protected]) I can put you in touch with one or two that might be willing to help. I am a commercial entity but I'm also on the Board of AMIA and this is my pro bono side. One thing -- the George Eastman House in Rochester, NY has one of the largest 28mm collections and the most active in preserving them. They would be good to contact right off the bat.

Dino1,
Just confirming that I've sent an email your way and would be able to consult with you on any animation in the collection.
Tom

Ah yes Milefilm

The GEH is a great help to all collectors, but is it not the archive in Canada that has the largest collection of 28mm I think it is 2800 reels of film.

As for value, anything that is lost is of value, but a lot has already been
saved. So then it becomes more of a collector value. And after years
of dealing with the collector market in many different fields of collecting,
that collector value is like a spring breeze, subject to change without
notice. And only research will lead you to what is already found and what
is missing. Your connections will most likely be able to help out with that
endevor.

Generally though the market place for 28mm films is good and stable.
But that recent hoarde of film has really upset the market place. Once
these films get absorbed into collections that stable and good market
place will return.

Pookybear

thank u all youve been a great help when i get a list should i post it and from my understanding there are quite A few that havent been archived ever what do u guys think about those

dino1 wrote:thank u all youve been a great help when i get a list should i post it and from my understanding there are quite A few that havent been archived ever what do u guys think about those

Dino1,

The ones that have not been archived anywhere else will be the most
prized by everyone who deals with 28mm film. But a total search of
archives and personal holdings has to be know for that. The archives
these days are mostly interconnected with access to information of
holdings. So lets say one archive can check many other archives for a
certain title. Privite holdings are a bit harder as some collectors keep
in the shadows, but others do give lists of their holdings.

Also please note, even though a title maybe in either an archive or
being held by a single person, if you have a copy of that title your-
self, it may turn out that it might just be the best copy known. So
even titles that return on searches for being know still have questions
that need to be asked.

Lets us know if anyone here can be of further help to you in your
quest for information,

Pookybear

Happy April Fools Day,folks.

Hmm... I did receive an email back from Dino but with no more additional information.