How much is my Lindbergh photo worth?
Some Lindys are luckier than others.
- By Joe Pappalardo
- AirSpaceMag.com, November 01, 2006
Jeff Clark
When business instructor Jeff Clark hung his family heirloom photo of Charles Lindbergh in his classroom at Davis Applied Technology College in Kaysville, Utah, it inspired questions over how much it was worth. Clark inherited the photo, which dates to 1927, from his late grandfather.
He plans on hanging a 40-inch wingspan scale model of the Spirit of St. Louis from the ceiling in front of the picture. "It would be nice to know if the photo has any value beyond my own love for it," Clark says.
Armed with a JPG image of the 19- by 15-inch photo, which displays a lanky Lindy standing upright under the Spirit of St. Louis' wing, I contacted Allan Janus, an archivist at the National Air & Space Museum, who recognized the image immediately.
"It's a well known Lindbergh photo," Janus says. "But I don't think any vintage Lindbergh photo could be described as common nowadays."
He suggested contacting an appraiser, but said a general idea can be gleaned by investigating the market. "On estimating the value of vintage photographs, I usually recommend keeping an eye on online auction sites like eBay," Janus says. "Rare photographs are also auctioned by Swann, Christies's and Sotheby's—watching their catalogues can be very instructive."
But catalogue pricing can be tricky; sellers place estimate values on memorabilia that may not reflect the actual amount someone will pay. It's always better to look at the actual amount people paid for items over a period of time rather than their listed values, says Allan Stypeck, owner of Second Story Books in Rockville, Maryland and a senior appraiser for the American Society of Appraisers. The ASA—there really is an organization for everything—puts people in touch with a qualified appraiser in their area.
Stypeck, who has been at the appraisal game for more than 30 years, says the first thing to check in valuing photo memorabilia is to confirm if the photo is an original or a valueless reproduction. Assuming Clark's photo is an original, the next criteria is size, with larger photos commanding more money. An 8- by 11-inch original photo of Lindy and his airplane can run between $200 and $300, while a 14- by 24-inch print can be worth $500 to $700. So Clark likely is hanging several hundred dollars' worth of aviation history on his walll.
Alas, there is no signature on Clark's photo. A signed original can be valued between $2,000 and $6,000, depending on the size and condition of the market. (Selling it during a spike in interest, such as an anniversary, major movie launch on the topic, and so on, can increase prices. Just ask vendors of Titanic memorabilia.)
There are plenty of places to get support in researching memorabilia. Collectors' sites often have forums to get advice. For Lindbergh materials, specifically, Janus recommends a website site devoted to Lindbergh ephemera run by Pat Ranfranz, of Shoreview, Minnesota. For space memorabilia Janus recommends Collectspace, run out of Houston, Texas by Robert Pearlman.
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Comments (13)
I have an original Flying magazine dated August 1944 in very good condition. Can you tell me if the magazine has any value to a collector? Reply: We suggest you search eBay to see what comparable items are going for.
Posted by RNS NETWORK, LLC on August 20,2008 | 10:07 AM
I have the original newspaper from 1948 telling of Orville wright's death on the front page. It is a little torn but in good condition.
My father had saved it all these years. I would like to sell it. Do yu have any idea how much it is worth? EDITORS' REPLY: We cannot supply valuations.
Thank you
Posted by Jane Gregory on October 26,2008 | 05:21 PM
I have original snapshot pictures of "The Spirit of St. Louis" I recently found in some boxes from my grandfather that have been packed away for years. I also have the negatives. I believe they were taken in Omaha, Nebraska during Lindbergh's 1927 tour of cities. There are about 6. The negatives and pictures are in excellent condition. What might their value be? EDITORS' REPLY: We cannot supply valuations.
Posted by LINDA STEMPEL on December 28,2008 | 07:07 PM
I have an authenticated & rare full signature of Charles Lindbergh on a page from his book 'We'mounted together with a print bought in the USA & deemed origional of Spirit of St Louis.These are beautifully mounted. I am interested in selling item & welcome potential saleability at present & price possible to achieve. EDITORS' REPLY: We cannot offer appraisals of individual items. You need to contact a dealer who specializes in autographs.
Posted by on February 3,2009 | 07:51 AM
I have a souvenir piece of fabric given to my father by Charles Lindbergh.
Posted by youngman on April 6,2009 | 05:43 AM
I have seven prints from the Wright Aeornautical Company that depict the history of aviation from the first flight through the 1930's. How can I find out what they are worth and what museum might be interested.
Thank you very much. Virginia Willits
EDITORS' REPLY: The Smithsonian does not provide valuations. You could look at various auction Web sites to see if similar items have sold and for how much.
Posted by Virgini9a Willits on July 8,2009 | 10:23 AM
I have a photo of Clover Field, March 16, 1924, the First Around the World Flight. This is a panoramic of the airfield with planes lined up. It is a copyrighted photo from the Aerograph Co.
How or where can I get an appraisal for this photo?
My father, who has now passed, was given this photo by either Mr. Douglas or Mr. McDonnell upon his retirement from McDonnell Douglas Aircraft. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.EDITORS' REPLY: As part of the Smithsonian, we can't provide valuations or recommend specific dealers or appraisers. We suggest you do an Internet search to find an auction house or a vintage-photograph dealer who has experience selling and buying similar photographs.
Posted by Russ on October 9,2009 | 04:10 PM
I have a paper that is dated 1912 and is the dated the day after the Titanic sank. How much do you think that this paper is worth and , how much should I sell it for?
Thank you. EDITORS' REPLY: Again, we do not provide valuation services. You might try a document dealer, or an auction house that handles old documents.
Posted by rose on November 14,2009 | 08:22 AM
i have my uncle's log from his white star liner days with captain j e smiths stamp would this be worth anything. EDITORS' REPLY: The Smithsonian cannot provide valuations. You could search eBay for similar items and see what they get, or contact an auction house or dealer specializing in your type of item (in this case, vintage aviation material).
Posted by maxine corcoran on January 20,2010 | 01:05 PM
I have a large picture but it has not signture on it does that mean its not worth anything. Help Please. EDITORS' REPLY: The Smithsonian does not provide vaulations. We suggest you consult a vintage-photo dealer or auction house, or look for similar items on sites like eBay and see what they are going for.
Posted by Eatha Turner on June 13,2010 | 10:31 PM
I have an original photo of Lindbergh. My granpa's first cousing was an avietor from the time in Mexico and he is with lindbergh in this photo and other two aviators. the more important thing is that one of the aviators is the knefiu of the one of the presidents of Mexico and I think the vest Mexican aviator of the time. his last name is Carranza. their is othe guy; he is american, but I do not Know who he is. I will like to Know if the picture has any value because it has some water marks in it and is mising a litle part. I know is a unic picture because is Family Treasure. The picture is biger tha 8 by 11.
Posted by Jose Sanchez on August 9,2010 | 09:03 PM
I have original family photos of Lindbergh and the take-off of the "Spirit". My great aunt and uncle were friends of the Lindbergh. Also the original newspaper of the take-off.
Are they worth anything?
Posted by Hayward Allen on April 11,2011 | 12:30 PM
I have an original photo of Charles lindbergh it was my uncle russell shoup he had worked on lindberge plane in 1927 I would like to know the vaule thank you how can I post you the photo? EDITORS' REPLY: As we've said to other commenters here, we can't provide valuations. You'll have to go to a dealer or search auction results for similar items.
Posted by Sandy Van Buskirk on September 27,2011 | 01:12 PM
I have the original guest book from the USS McCormick. The guest book was signed by Charles Lindbergh as he boarded the ship on his travels to China on September 25 1931. The book is also signed by many other diplomats including Willys Pech, American Consulate General.
Any sense of how unique this item is?
Posted by dan on February 21,2012 | 08:29 PM