Sunday, July 15, 2012

Louis Gandolfi & Sons (camera makers)

Today I am relinquishing something from my past - at least emotionally.

Yesterday I put some photo equipment up for sale - camera equipment that has been by my side for over forty some years - and equipment that became a large storied part of my career.

Fred Gandolfi, (one of the cantankerous sons of Gandolfi & Sons, in his mid-sixties), sold me a rare Cuban mahogany camera system in 1970 - during the time that I was attending college outside of London. Today a Gandolfi camera is rarely seen outside of a museum. And today, the 'Gandolfi' is considered the epitome of all the great vintage cameras. Unique and rare, she always served me well - and I figured she deserves a final tribute.










My buddy Fred (second in from right) outside their Peckham workshop (1960's).  In 1972, before I left England, I met with brothers, Fred and Arthur (far right) and custom ordered a larger 8x10 version of the above camera. It took them one year to complete - and ship it to me.  Still using it today and will never be for sale. (I hope).



2 comments:

  1. Hi J B McCourtney. I used a Gandolfi camera in 1973/4 similar to the one shown here and I'm just writing a 'nostalgic' post about this part of my photographic life for my blog/website http://particular.org.uk/ and wondered if I could use the photos of the camera above in my post if I gave you a credit and link to this page? I found the pictures via a google image search, enjoying reading your posts! Where were you at college in England? I was at Trent Polytechnic in the early seventies. Did you get to sell this camera? Regards from the cool, damp, grey UK! Liz M, e-mail info[at]particular.org.uk

    ReplyDelete
  2. Glad you liked your camera and a pity you had to let it go. My dad was looking for a gandolfi camera ( working or non working ) to remember his grandfather by ( thomas gandolfi 2nd from the left)

    regards

    ReplyDelete