Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-19
s11, 900, 900 A YEAR
Spent by Enthusiastic Amateur
Photographer.

SF
Photographers.
From the Brooklyn Eagle
To supply the growing army OF amateur
photographers factories by the score are
being built throughout the country. In a
decade the sale OF cameras and photo
graphic supplies Of all kinds has grown to
wonderful proportions. and there is every
Indication that the business is far from the
limit of development America leads the
world in the number and enthusiasm OF its
amateur photographers. Almost as much
money Is spent on the fad here each year
as In all the countries Of Europe. A con-
sentative estimate places the total of cam
eras sold in this city every year at 40ooo
costing $500 600 and from the head OF one
of the largest supply firms 1t was learned
that about S11 900 600 Is annually spent on
cameras alone by the amateurs OK the
Union.
From insignificant Importance the busi-
ness of providing for amateur snapshotters
has grown almost beyond comprehension In
the last twelve years. NOW men py inc
thousand are employed making cameras,
while entire factories are given over TO inc
manufacture Of the tiniest article In an
amateurs outfit. Even the manufacturers
themselves are surprised at the speed by
which the business has grown. In many
instances firms have had to accept ORDERS
subject to delivery after the building OF
new plants.
ITO the amateur going about swapping ms
single camera" said the manager or DIE
Mania ttan firm, there can come very little
idea of the immensely of the business he
and his fellows have buflded. Out or the
love Of the American for snapshotting has
come one Of the country's important lines
of business. Our great market Is here at
home. but American cameras. films, plates
and all other supplies are sold in almost
every country under the sun.
I'VE find that in every American family
l.~,. i'll 20 O.
times there are two or three in family.
but the average Is one. Once boy starts
taking pictures the habit grows on him. At
first the expense is small, but soon the de-
sire comes for better instruments, and 40
the youth starts laying out more money.
and II the craze lasts does not rest content
until he has a complete outfit of the most
expensive kind.
There are thousands of men and women
in this city alone following the Photographic
craze with much interest as the rail-
birds follow the doings on the race track
1 know of one Wall street broker who has
a collection of lenses that cost him $1,000
and he Is still buying away at the rate Of
one lens a week. He knows more about
lenses than any professional photographer
in the city. He Is an expert on all kinds
made here and in Europe. and lately he has
taken to collecting lenses from old and val
liable cameras.
There is craze for lenses. boxes shut
ters, plates, films, bulbs, and. In fact al
most every part Of the amateurs equip
ment has its devoted band of wOrshipers.
Some men come to me with a plate wrap
FED with infinite care and hold II up for
inspection of its completeness with an air
Of boundless pride They have developed
1t with tender care. watched over II until
ready for adding to their collection as II
1T were Of first value in life.
Usually the beginner is content with a
81 camera. Pretty good results are OBJ
tanned with this. and presently the owner
has longing for an apparatus that will
take larger picture, with closer detail.
Then comes the coaxing of the father or
mother, with the chances in nine cases
out Of ten Of the nearest dealer getting
an order. For year perhaps this new
instrument may please, then the owner.
having developed keener appreciation
Of the art, decides that a more expensive
camera must be bought. Sometimes a
compromise Is effected with the head Of
the household by which the old instru-
ment is fitted with a more delicate lens
but even SO. 1t Is not long before a crav-
ing comes for the best instrument on the
market.
Here In New York the most expensive
equipments are sold. Chicago is a spIen-
In no part of the country, or the world
in fact, is there as much money spent on
outfits as In this city. The cameras range
in prices from 81 to $50, with q small
quantity. OF course. running far above this
high mark, and depending chiefly on the
quality or lens. To arrive at an idea of
the amount invested in cameras by these
enthusiasts 1t would be safe to estimate
each instrument at SIS. Between 600 600
and 100000 cameras are sold here every
year. and the total is increasing steadily.