Historical Original Photos
Antique Old Vintage Photos Pictures
Rare Original Vintage Photography
Spellbinding Stories Without Uttering a Word
"Nothing Captures History Like a Picture"
The reasons people collect historical memorabilia whether it be art, sports or entertainment are endless. In the case of vintage photography, I will offer my own opinion. Unlike baseball cards, coins or even high value paintings, a photograph tells a story by capturing a real moment in time. Whether it be a horrifying image of War, Thomas Edison in his laboratory, JFK riding in his convertible on a nice sunny day in Dallas, Neil Armstrong looking out the window of Apollo 11, John Lennon signing an autograph for David Chapman or Marilyn Monroe on Santa Monica Beach in July 1962, photos can tell a 1000 word story without ever saying a single word.
Vintage photos capturing the nostalgic essence of vintage Hollywood are becoming more and more desirable. Collectors are now paying top value for quality original photos. For example, vintage horror photos like Dracula and Frankenstein have recently sold for over $1000. A couple weeks ago a Marilyn Monroe unsigned publiclity photo sold for $6000. The same is true for Vintage Sports, in particular Baseball and Boxing. A recent online auction of vintage baseball photos included a number of photos selling over $2000. Marilyn Monroe photographer stills for $5000-10000.. Like all other categories of vintage memorabilia, collectors are setting premiums for rare items with great visual appeal.
A Brief History of Vintage Movie Stills
Movie stills (photos) have been issued by studios since the earliest days of cinema. They were sent in limited numbers direct from the studio's publicity department to theaters and the media to promote a new release and the film's stars. Hence, the term "wire photos". These printings had very short printing runs, and the stills became in essence "limited edition" prints.
Most movie stills show a movie scene, but also include stunning portrait shots and fascinating candids. Studios recognized the great promotional value of these stills to entice moviegoers into the theater, and often spared no expense in creating beautiful scene stills, portraits and candids taken by some of Hollywood's most accomplished photographers. Many stills are like works of art in themselves and have become iconic images of cinema and 20th Century culture.
Since the late '60s stills have taken their place along movie posters and lobby cards as desirable and highly collectible cinema artifacts. More and more collectors are becoming aware of these stills and how desirable they are to collect and/or display.
A Brief History of Vintage Sports Stills and Wire Service Photos
From One of the Largest Quality Vintage Original and Wire Service Photo collections ever assembled direct from (3) different sportswriters' and their working libraries. Original Vintage Photos are 'from the period' and are 'FIRST generation' pieces (unless clearly stated). Wire Service Photos were extensively used in print media during the first half of the 1900's. Issued by news agencies (such as Acme, NEA, International News, Associated Press, UPI, Fotogram,) only to the press, these Gorgeous pieces capture a historical moment, frozen in time, as they were issued on the day the event happened. Unfortunately they were issued in extremely limited quantities solely for print media industry usage (it is estimated that there were approximately 25 - 50 of EACH particular photograph made). Over the years, many were destroyed or lost, and in some cases, there are only 1 or 2 specimens known to exist today of a particular photograph making these Original, First Generation Vintage Photographic relics Outstanding Investments. (NOTE: Original Photos or Wire Photos can be distinguished from contemporary reproduction photographs or "copies" (which are worthless, many of which you'll see on eBay for a dime a dozen) by one or more of the following signs: (1) the photographer or news agency stamp (2) the news print/caption attached on the reverse (and on the obverse for many post-1950's pieces), (3) age of the photographic paper stock.
Here’s why original vintage publicity photos actually used to promote the films original release are sometimes more exciting and desirable then the movie posters.
1. The images are usually unique and Only captured by studio photographers specifically for promotional/publicity still photos and were not on any movie posters. i.e. like our recently acquired “Mighty Joe Young” photos which capture the REAL “Joe”. Only animated images were used in the movie posters and lobby cards. Never an actual photo of Joe!
2. They are often dated and some have extensive provenance on the back in the form of studio stamps, photographer stamps, period newspaper clippings, etc.
3. The images are often sharper than the posters .
4. Perfect 8x10” size for framing and matting, shipping as gifts. For example, ideal for displaying with a historical relic like an autograph..
PSA has four classes of certification for original photographs as shown below:
This historical 1914 Providence Grays photo featuring a
19 year old Babe Ruth sold at auction 2009 for over $13,000
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407 Pound Teenager Antique Photo Picture RARE 1860s
Antique Old Time Vintage Photos Pictures Photography For Sale Civil ... Antique Old Time Vintage Photos Pictures Photography For Sale Civil ... -
Abbott & Costello Hold That Ghost Original photo 1941
Abbott & Costello in "Hold That Ghost", 1941 Original Vintage 8x1... Abbott & Costello in "Hold That Ghost", 1941 Original Vintage 8x1... -
Abbott & Costello Hold That Ghost Original photo 1941 - 2
Abbott & Costello in "Hold That Ghost", 1941 Original Vintage 8x1... Abbott & Costello in "Hold That Ghost", 1941 Original Vintage 8x1... -
Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein 1948 Original Vintage Photo
Classic Movie Memorabilia Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, 1948 Original ... Classic Movie Memorabilia Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, 1948 Original ... -
Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein Original Still Wolfman
Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, 1948 Original Vintage Still (8x10")... Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, 1948 Original Vintage Still (8x10")... -
Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein Vintage Press Photo 1948
Abbott and Costello original vintage movie memorabilia collectibles horror come... Abbott and Costello original vintage movie memorabilia collectibles horror come... -
Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein Vintage Press Photo 1948 2
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Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein Vintage Press Photo 1948 4
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Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein Vintage Press Photo 1948 5
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Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein Vintage Press Photo 1948 6
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Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein Vintage Press Photo 1956
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Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein Vintage Publicity Photo 1948
Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, 1948 Original Vintage Publicity Photo St... Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, 1948 Original Vintage Publicity Photo St... -
Abbott & Costello Meet the Mummy, 5 original still photos, 1955
Abbott & Costello Meet the Mummy Original still photos (five), 1955 Origin... Abbott & Costello Meet the Mummy Original still photos (five), 1955 Origin... -
Abbott & Costello The Noose Hangs High 2 vintage stills, 1948 -4
Abbott & Costello "The Noose Hangs High" TWO Vintage 8x10" S... Abbott & Costello "The Noose Hangs High" TWO Vintage 8x10" S... -
Abbott & Costello The Noose Hangs High vintage still, 1948
Abbott & Costello "The Noose Hangs High" Vintage 8x10" Still... Abbott & Costello "The Noose Hangs High" Vintage 8x10" Still... -
Abbott & Costello The Noose Hangs High vintage still, 1948 - 2
Abbott & Costello "The Noose Hangs High" Vintage 8x10" Still... Abbott & Costello "The Noose Hangs High" Vintage 8x10" Still... -
Abbott & Costello The Noose Hangs High vintage still, 1948 - 3
Abbott & Costello "The Noose Hangs High" Vintage 8x10" Still... Abbott & Costello "The Noose Hangs High" Vintage 8x10" Still... -
ABBOTT and COSTELLO MEET Dr. JEKYLL Mr. HYDE Vintage Photo 2
ABBOTT and COSTELLO MEET Dr. JEKYLL and Mr. HYDE Vintage / Original 1953 Mov... ABBOTT and COSTELLO MEET Dr. JEKYLL and Mr. HYDE Vintage / Original 1953 Mov... -
Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll Mr. Hyde Vintage Photo Still
ABBOTT and COSTELLO MEET Dr. JEKYLL and Mr. HYDE Vintage / Original 1953 Movi... ABBOTT and COSTELLO MEET Dr. JEKYLL and Mr. HYDE Vintage / Original 1953 Movi... -
Abbott and Costello Original vintage Studio Portrait Photo 1941
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Abbott Costello Meet the Invisible Man Original Viintage Photo
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Abraham Lincoln Vintage 1864 CDV Photo
Abraham Lincoln Original Memorabilia Collectibles Photos Abraham Lincoln ... Abraham Lincoln Original Memorabilia Collectibles Photos Abraham Lincoln ... -
Abraham Lincoln Vintage 1864 CDV Photo 2
Abraham Lincoln Original Memorabilia Collectibles Photos Abraham Lincoln ... Abraham Lincoln Original Memorabilia Collectibles Photos Abraham Lincoln ... -
Abraham Lincoln Campaign Badge & Ribbon, 1864
Abraham Lincoln Original Political Memorabilia Collectibles Photos Abraham Lin... Abraham Lincoln Original Political Memorabilia Collectibles Photos Abraham Lin... -
Abraham Lincoln LAST Photo Historic 1865
Abraham Lincoln Original 1965 Photo by Henry Warren "Lincoln's Latest ... Abraham Lincoln Original 1965 Photo by Henry Warren "Lincoln's Latest ... -
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Campaign CDV Photograph stamp 1864
Abraham Lincoln Original Political Campaign Memorabilia Collectibles Photos For... Abraham Lincoln Original Political Campaign Memorabilia Collectibles Photos For... -
Abraham Lincoln RARE 1860 George Clark Campaign Badge Ambrotype
Abraham Lincoln Original Political Campaign Memorabilia Collectibles Photos For... Abraham Lincoln Original Political Campaign Memorabilia Collectibles Photos For... -
Abraham Lincoln/George B. McClellan Presidential Campaign Badge
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Adam West Batman Vintage Autographed Signed Photo
Adam West as Batman, 1966 Vintage Autographed Signed "Batman&quo... Adam West as Batman, 1966 Vintage Autographed Signed "Batman&quo... -
Adolf Hitler & Benito Mussoli Original Vintage Photo 1940
Antique Vintage Photos Photography For Sale Adolf Hitler & Benito Muss... Antique Vintage Photos Photography For Sale Adolf Hitler & Benito Muss... -
Al Capone - Most Historic Photo ever taken ! WOW!
FAMOUS 1932 Original Photo AL CAPONE Heads to Prison ! Public Enemy #1 THE ... FAMOUS 1932 Original Photo AL CAPONE Heads to Prison ! Public Enemy #1 THE ... -
AL CAPONE Original Vintage Photo 1931 MAFIA on TRIAL !
1931 Original Photo AL CAPONE MAFIA on TRIAL ! A Rare, Vintage 1931 ORIGINA... 1931 Original Photo AL CAPONE MAFIA on TRIAL ! A Rare, Vintage 1931 ORIGINA... -
Al Capone Original Vintage Press Photo Lawyer Ahern 1931 MP
Al Capone Original Vintage Press Photo "With Lawyer Ahern" 1930'... Al Capone Original Vintage Press Photo "With Lawyer Ahern" 1930'... -
Al Capone Original Vintage Press Photo Lawyer Fink 1931 MP
Al Capone Original Vintage Press Photo, 1931 "Capone and Lawyer Fink"... Al Capone Original Vintage Press Photo, 1931 "Capone and Lawyer Fink"... -
Al Capone Original Vintage Press Photo to Prison 1931
Al Capone Original Vintage Historic Press Photo "Capone Heads to Prison&qu... Al Capone Original Vintage Historic Press Photo "Capone Heads to Prison&qu... -
Al Capone Original Vintage Wire Photo Leaving Court 1931
Al Capone Original Vintage Wire Photo, 1931 "Capone Leaves Chicago Court&q... Al Capone Original Vintage Wire Photo, 1931 "Capone Leaves Chicago Court&q... -
ALBERT EINSTEIN Original Vintage Wire Press Photo 1940
ALBERT EINSTEIN 1940 Original Vintage Wire Press Photo (7x9") FAMED ... ALBERT EINSTEIN 1940 Original Vintage Wire Press Photo (7x9") FAMED ... -
Albert Einstein Original Wire Service Photo
Albert Einstein Original Wire Service Photo Very Scarce ORIGINAL Vintage 1935 ... Albert Einstein Original Wire Service Photo Very Scarce ORIGINAL Vintage 1935 ... -
ALFRED HITCHCOCK Rare Behind Camera Vintage Press Photo
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Alfred Hitchcock vintage original photo The Birds 1963
The Birds, 1963 Original Vintage Publicity Photo - "The Birds" ... The Birds, 1963 Original Vintage Publicity Photo - "The Birds" ... -
Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho studio photo still hotel checkin
Psycho, 1960 Original Vintage Photo Still A very rare, original studio still ph... Psycho, 1960 Original Vintage Photo Still A very rare, original studio still ph... -
Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo Original still Photo 1958 3
Alfred Hitchcock's "Vertigo", 1958 Original Vintage Still Photo ... Alfred Hitchcock's "Vertigo", 1958 Original Vintage Still Photo ... -
Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo Original Vintage Still Photo 1958
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Andre the Giant Original Vintage Photo Wrestling Sports Memorabi
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Andre the Giant Original Vintage Wrestling Photo
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Angel and Badman Rare Vintage TYPE I Photo John Wayne
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Anna May Wong Original Vintage Historic Photo Eugene Robert Rich
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Anna May Wong Original Vintage Historic Photo mobbed fans
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Anna May Wong Original Vintage TYPE I Photo Still, 1931
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ANNA MAY WONG Vintage Wire Photo 1941
ANNA MAY WONG FASHION TSING YING TSANG Portrait w/SNIPE 1941 VINTAGE 8x10"... ANNA MAY WONG FASHION TSING YING TSANG Portrait w/SNIPE 1941 VINTAGE 8x10"... -
Ape Man Original Vintage Horror Movie Photo Bela Lugosi
Original Vintage Classic Horror Sci Fi Old Movie Posters Film Memora... Original Vintage Classic Horror Sci Fi Old Movie Posters Film Memora... -
Ape Man Original Vintage Horror Movie Photo Bela Lugosi 2
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Ape Man Original Vintage Horror Movie Photo Bela Lugosi 3
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Apollo 11 Landing Original Vintage Type I Photo Buzz Aldrin
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Attack of the 50 Foot Woman Original Vintage Photo Still
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Attack of the Crab Monsters Original Vintage Movie Still Photo
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Aviation Historic Vintage Photo, 1911
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Featured Products - Historical Original Photos
Wolf Man Original TYPE I Vintage Movie Still Photo Lon Chane
Original Vintage Classic Horror Sci Fi Old Movie Poste...Marilyn Monroe Original Vintage 20th Century Fox Photo 1953
Antique Vintage Photos Photography Marilyn Monroe Memorabili...$1,250.00Judy Garland Original Vintage Photo Clarence Bull 1937
Original Vintage Classic Old Film Movie Judy Garland Memorab...$1,250.00BABE COMES HOME Original Vintage Delux Still Photo Babe Ruth
Original Vintage Sports Classic Baseball Memorabilia Movie L...$975.00Beatles Original RARE Vintage Photo Scottish TV, 1963
Beatles original Vintage memorabilia collectibles pictures f...$1,250.00Babe Ruth Authentic Signed Autographed Baseball Yankees Phot
Original Vintage Classic Sports Baseball Babe Ruth Lou Gehri...$7,200.00Babe Ruth Rare TYPE I Baseball Yankees Photo Picture
Original Vintage Classic Sports Baseball Babe Ruth Lou Gehri...$2,750.00Civil War Photos Ambrotype Cajun Fiddle Player
Civil War Daguerreotype Photos Tintype Memorabilia Collectib...$2,350.00Civil War Photos Daguerreotype Country Home
Civil War Daguerreotype Photos Tintype Memorabilia Collectib...$1,250.00
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