Sometimes the camera tells a story. Sometimes the camera is the story.
While exploring in some antique stores on Friday, I found some treasures. Bits of lace, buttons, old hand embroidery.
And photos of unknown folks with a story to tell.
Jim found a treasure, too. A miniature 35mm camera with leather case, original box, and paperwork. He enjoys giving these tools new jobs to do, running a roll of film through them, letting the camera tell stories again.
On Saturday, he took it to a local shop to get a new battery. The store owner, George, said, “I remember an occasion when I worked on a camera exactly like this one time before.” It was at a gathering hosted by Phil Walden in the 1970’s. A fellow came by with a camera like this in his hand, profanely exclaiming that it wasn’t working properly. George asked what seemed to be the problem, adding, “I work on cameras, I can look at it for you if you like.” Taking the offered camera, making the necessary adjustments, George got the camera working and handed it back. Andy walked away and continued photographing the social event.
Years later, the two men’s paths crossed again in New York. Andy looked at George and said, “Don’t I know you from somewhere?” After hearing, “I repaired a camera for you once in Macon, Ga.,” Mr. Warhol muttered, “Oh, yeah,” as he walked away.
