Photographica. The Photographica Collector's Price Guide by George Gilbert.

Hawthorn, 1977. Wraps, not issued in hard cover. Crease on lower right of front cover, otherwise fine. Chapters on photographic images, box cameras, folding cameras, single-lens reflex cameras, twin-lens reflex cameras, detective cameras, 35-mm cameras, Novelty TV and hidden cameras, stereo cameras and equipment, motion picture equipment, other photographic collectibles (daguerreian jewelry, exposure meters, Stanhopes, et al.), with appendices.  126 pages.  Prices of course are out of date but otherwise a useful reference.  Companion to Gilbert’s book, Collecting Photographica. Summary:

The Photographica Collector's Price Guide (1977) by George Gilbert is a foundational reference work that helped codify the hobby of camera and other photographica collecting during its first major boom in the 1970s. Gilbert, a founding figure of the American Photographic Historical Society, designed the book as a practical "field guide" for both novice and experienced collectors.

Key Features and Themes

• Defining "Photographica": The book is significant for its broad definition of the field, covering not just cameras but also lenses, shutters, daguerreotypes, and darkroom ephemera.

• Valuation System: Gilbert established a pricing hierarchy based on the 1977 market, categorizing thousands of items from 19th-century rarities to mid-century classics like Leica, Zeiss Ikon, and Rolleiflex.

• The Grading Scale: A central contribution of the book is its emphasis on condition. Gilbert provides a standardized vocabulary (e.g., Mint, Excellent, Very Good) to help buyers and sellers communicate the physical and functional state of a camera, which remains the industry standard today.

• Classification by Type: The guide is organized by camera format—such as subminiature, stereo, folding, and 35mm rangefinders—making it an easy-to-navigate encyclopedia of photographic evolution.

• Market Insight: Gilbert includes advice on how to spot "bargains," the importance of original boxes and manuals, and the historical significance of specific "milestone" cameras that changed the industry.

Significance

While the specific prices are now a historical curiosity (reflecting a pre-eBay era), the book remains a vital historical document. It captures the "Gold Age" of camera collecting when mechanical cameras were first being recognized as valuable antiques rather than just obsolete tools. For historians, it serves as a snapshot of what was considered desirable and rare fifty years ago.