How's that for timing??

So I get this e-mail from someone trying to appraise/sell a LeCoultre Compass camera. The gentleman asked me to appraise it because he wasn't able to do it, not knowing anything about antique cameras. For those of you familiar with the camera, you know it's a jewel and a half. And I've always wanted one in my collection, it's my dream camera!

Darn! This comes a few months too late because I committed financially to the Coffee Shop.

B-u-m-m-e-r!!! Son of a...

I'm p**sed!

 

There she is!

 

Did I spring for it? Can't...

Just a picture of it from the Internet. But she is pretty, isn't she?

 

With all the extras, in mint condition (as it appears to be) is worth between $2,000 and $2,500 book value. Selling is different though, you'll get maybe 25% less.

Pretty though!

 

Oh, BTW... That Compass belonged to Talbert Adams, the father of Aerial Photography:

Talbert_Abrams

Talbert_Abrams

 

The Compass was designed to work either with a 24x36mm film plate in a special holder or with regular 35mm film in a special back. It is a high precision instrument, as you would expect from the famous Swiss watchmaker LeCoultre.