Legacy Article - Photography

Legacy Article "Photographs as Collectible Art"
August/October 1997
by Johanne Yakula

Paintings, prints, and other forms of art are important to a collector's portfolio or a home decor. More and more though, photographs are occupying space on walls that not long ago were reserved for more "serious" works. Historical photographs can be a wonderful addition to period interiors, but many people like to collect old photographs simply because they evoke another time and place.

As a science, photography is barely more than 150 years old, so the idea of collecting antique photographs is still fairly new. This means that a person can purchase photographs in almost any budget range. Antique shops and sales, flea markets, auctions and garage sales will often turn up treasures. Higher end photographs are often sold privately between collectors and dealers.

Collections can be based on many themes. Some people collect photographs according to the type of process used, such as daguerreotype, tintype, ambrotype, or paper-based photograph. Others collect pictures with unusual subjects, famous personalities from the past or events. Still others collect photographs shot by a particular photographer. Early Alberta photographers are very collectible, and the Winter 1996 issue of Legacy discussed some of these artists. Buyers should attempt to establish the provenance of the photograph —the date and place the photograph was taken, the name of the photographer, and the identity of the sitter if possible.

Choose and display historical photographs the way you would any other works of art. By necessity, the oldest photographs were bound in small cases to protect them. Today, they would be best displayed in cabinets. Technological advances allowed photographers to increase the size of the photographs, and these are suitable for framing and displaying along with works of art in other media. Check the condition of the photograph when buying it, for that will affect its value later. If at all possible, keep the original frame, as few of today's frames truly replicate the look of an antique frame. The rule of thumb is, however, as for all artworks, buy what you like, and the value will be in the continued enjoyment your collection will give you!

Interior decorator Johanne Yakula owns "from Times Past," which focuses on products and services for the restoration and decoration of older homes and commercial buildings.