Early morning line up of stall holders
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(click on thumbnails for larger pictures. All photos
©Mike McCaw)
5AM in the morning is very dark in this part of the world, and it's very early. However, if the cause of the early rise just happens to be a camera show, then it's all worthwhile. The trip down the highway from my place at Creswick to Camberwell in Melbourne takes about an hour and a half, including the drive through breakfast at McDonalds. And as we had been advised that the doors open for stallholders at 7.20 am, I thought it prudent to arrive half an hour before that time to get my favourite parking spot just outside; very prudent as it turned out later when the local parking inspector went along and fined all those cars not parked in parking zones $100 each! Pretty rough given that it was a Sunday and they had been parking in those spots for the past 5 years without a problem. The line up for entry of stall holders was not large at this time of the day as can be seen in the photo, and it was not long before the frantic setting up period began.
Early morning line up of stall holders
Set up time is always one of the busiest parts of the day, what with getting your stall established, and trying to get around to see everything before the public enters at 8.30 am.
Set up time is pretty busy.
All the well known faces were there including IDCC members Holger Schult, Steve Given, Lyle Curr, Alan King, David farmer, John Keesing, Joe Staunton and myself, although I do note that I was the only one wearing any of the IDCC apparrel, my cap.
Holger, Ernie and Steve getting their wares ready for sale.
Lyle Curr and Son at their stall of Kodak items.
At 8.30 the crowd was let in and things got pretty busy for a while. Talking to show organiser Alan King later in the day, he advised that there were some 800 people through the door from 8.30 - 1.30, plus stall holders and helpers, so quite a good turn up.
Part of the early morning crowd
Alan King has organised the Melbourne Markets for the past ten years and has done an exceptional job over that time. I think that the Melbourne and Australian camera collecting fraternity owe hime a huge vote of thanks. Taking over from Alan for next years shows is "The Proffessor", Keith Baker, who is a dedicated wood and brass man who does some extraordinary renovations. Being a retired architect and lecturer Keith will bring good organisational skills to the job. We wish him well, Alans shoes will be hard to fill. Dates for the next market are yet to be advised.
The Proffessor, the bow tie is a nice touch!
By lunch time the crowd had thinned to a trickle and stall holders were starting to look forward getting what was left on their stalls packed up.
The lunch time crowd.
As has been the case over a number of years, the Melbourne Market was predominately a users market, with all stall holders reporting good sales of useable equipment. The sales of good collectible items seems to take place over the phone, well away from the market itself. There was a real lack of wood and brass with less than five wooden cameras up for sale. There was a lot of cheaper box and 50's black and chrome, and lots of junkers. A couple of Werra IV's were sold for US$45 each. There was a nice Miroflex outfit up for sale at US$250, and didn't sell.
Miroflex outfit.
There was also a lot of novelty type items, can, headache pill, London Bus, Cigarette packet, juice container, star wars, all cameras and lighters etc as well. It was the most novelty gear I have seen at a market anywhere. John Keesing was promoting his lens book and Joe Staunton was selling dentists tools!! Great for repairing cameras with.
Cigarette Packet Camera.
As I said my goodbyes to all my friends, and headed off back up the highway to Creswick, I reflected once again what a wonderful bunch of people these camera collectors are, and what a shame it would be if camera markets were to cease to exist. The chance to meet up with, discuss cameras, look at all the goods on offer, meet with the non-collecting public, you just don't get the same at club meetings or over the internet. You do have to have all three.
Another great market, a great day!!!
Mike McCaw
Australia Collector of Chinese Cameras
Email Mike Here!
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