Mixed Email Bag

A little bit of email sharing. I fine this kind of stuff in the first email very interesting. Hope you do too. There is always a chance of a lost film showing up. We can always hope? The second email is more about my small press past.

Quoting Barb & Chris P_ _ _ _:

As a child I received several old animated cartoons, including "Steamboat Willie" What can I do with them, and how can I determine the value? The condition varies but is not great after 81 years.

Chris,

The value of 8mm is not as great as 16mm or 35mm because they are not projectable in a theater setting but there are markets for them. So film size is important as is film stock. Search for the cartoons you have on ebay to compare prices.

The important question is film stock. If it is nitrate there are dangers of combustion and the films need to be stored in a cool, 72 degree environment. But if they have gone this long without bursting into flame they should be stable.

If it is Safety Stock (sic) then there is danger of vinegar syndrome. Check to see if any of the films smell like vinegar. If they do then they are on their way out and are unsalable because they can contaminate other films they come in contact with.

The age of the films will give an idea of film stock so the question is how long ago where you a kid?

Anyway, send me a list of your films and I should be able to tell you how rare they are. Then I will check them out with a few friends to see if they is a market for them in 8mm, 16 is more salable. A lot of 8mm was edited for time so let me know the running times on the films too so I can tell is they are complete cartoons.

Larry



Larry,
Thank you for the helpful reply.

I received these about 1946 or 48, and they were old then, I think they are original stock, and while I have never tested them, I expect they are nitrate based (I am a Chemical Engineer). There is no vinegar smell to me. Some have breaks.

I searched for the "Steamboat Willie" and several other titles on e-bay, and found none for sale. I will compile a list.

Thanks again
Chris

Chris,

Already old in 1946 are they 8mm or 16mm? I'm thinking silent cartoons from the late 20s or 30s. Which ups the chance that there is something of value. You might get some money out of a collector or you might be able to get the studio that created it interested if it is one of a kind (if the studio is still in business?). If there is something really rare I will be glad to put you in touch this the film preservationist at UCLA.

= = = = = = = = =
Dog*Star update over at the Rick Grimes site. My past on parade. I did these books for a small group of friends and now they are out there for the world to see. Strange. I haven`t read these in years.

Hi Larry,

I have now added the complete DOG*STAR FUNNIES pages to the Rick Grimes fan site at rickgrimesfansite.net - thank you again for allowing me to post such material on the Grimes site, I appreciate this very. If you see any incorrect descriptions, dates, or copyright information, please let me know and I shall edit as requested, next update.

All the best,
Ryan H.