bob_woods Posted April 19, 1999 Share Posted April 19, 1999 What price range should one expect to pay for a Riga Minox? Is it possible to obtain one in exceptional condition? Anyone have one for sale? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTC Photography Posted April 20, 1999 Share Posted April 20, 1999 Riga Minox is one of the much sought after Minox collectibles. Prices varies depending on condition of the camera. You expect to pay $1000 and up. Unless you visit camera swap meets (not the on line ones ). <p> The best place to look for a Riga is on line auction house <a href="http://search.ebay.com/cgi-bin/texis/ebay/results.html?query=min ox&CategoryID=&maxRecordsReturned=300&maxRecordsPerPage=100&SortProper ty=MetaEndSort"><h3>eBay</h3></a> <p> You may also check the buy/sell board at MPL, or put up an ads there (free).<p> <a href="http://www.minoxlab.com/CLASSIFIED%20INFORMATION/classified_adve rtisment.htm"><h3>Minox Processing Lab classified ads</h3></a> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_j.__ Posted April 21, 1999 Share Posted April 21, 1999 Bob, The short answer is "it depends." There are many rare variations of the Riga, and some will command extraordinary prices, even in less than sterling condition. These include USSR marked or re- marked, German occupation re-mills back to "Made in Latvia", of cameras that were originally stamped USSR, Nazi engraved ones that can be documented, early marking variations on back plate and lens window, and the very rare "Patent App." engraving, and ultra rare 12- tooth Riga. (Don't go by the total serial numbers that should have been made with 12-tooth claws, most of these were replaced by three tooth claws by the factory early on as they gave trouble, so only a handful survive today with original takeup claws.) Additional rare dial variations, eyelets and other oddities also command a premium. Any of these can command sums that might make that $1,000 figure look like pocket change! A truly "mint" Riga can be obtained, and they do occasionally surface. These will go for over $1,500 to perhaps $2,000 if a mint original case and/or box and papers are also included. A typical ordinary Riga in clean shape with signs of use, but no scratches or dings will go between $1,200 and 1,500, one with light scratches or a tiny nick or dent might be in the $1,000 - 1,200 range. Try Woodmere Cameras, Brooklyn Camera Exchange, Don Chatterton, and several other dealers who get Rigas on occasion. They are all listed in Shutterbug magazine, your best source for tracking down second hand Minoxes. A word of caution, Rigas tend to be cantankerous. Some will run like new, others will hang up a few months after a CLA. The lubricants sometimes gum them up, as does a hung up flyweight, both of which will cause the sector timing gear not to reset, meaning no slow shutter speeds. Listen carefully to a Riga as you twist the shutter dial from low to high speeds and back. You should hear a nice crisp buzzzzz as the timing gear resets to slow speed. If not, it is balky, it will need a CLA, at least. Also, some Riga parts are no longer to be had. If it breaks and DAG can't fix it, you will have a nice paperweight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTC Photography Posted April 22, 1999 Share Posted April 22, 1999 <h3> Riga Minox stamp </h3><P>Minox GmbH issued a Riga Minox stamp folder in 1994.<P>j On page 3 of this folder is a piece of genuine unused Estonia 1994 stamp : <P><UL><LI> face value 2.7 Estonia currency <li> sketch of Ur- Minox title "Walter Zapp's camera patent # 2628 " <LI> Size : 26 x 33 mm <LI> Ink : black and red ink letters on yellow back ground, </ul> There is a short biography of Minox inventor Walter The price of this stamp has risen considerably. I paid about US$6.00 for this Minox 50 year stamp in 1996. Now you have to pay $20.0 -- a jump of more than 200 % Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTC Photography Posted January 21, 2017 Share Posted January 21, 2017 <p>Riga Minox is not a rare camera. There were 17460 Riga Minox made, slightly less than 17880 units of Minox BL, far more( 34 times more) than MINOX AX GOLD/AX GOLD II (total number) 500 .</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTC Photography Posted December 24, 2021 Share Posted December 24, 2021 Rare russian SPY camera MINOX RIGA made in Latvia #16868 | eBay I have a Riga Minox serial number 11757, with orginal case Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTC Photography Posted December 24, 2021 Share Posted December 24, 2021 However Riga Minox( about $2000) is more expensive than Minox AX gold($1500) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTC Photography Posted December 24, 2021 Share Posted December 24, 2021 (edited) I have an earlier Riga Minox VEF Minox Riga serial number 10911 made in Latvia patented Round rear viewfinder window Minostigmant 1:3.5 lens Both Riga Minox shutter works My third Riga Minox is misplaced Edited December 24, 2021 by MTC Photography Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTC Photography Posted December 24, 2021 Share Posted December 24, 2021 My third Riga Minox found Serial number 06514 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTC Photography Posted December 24, 2021 Share Posted December 24, 2021 (edited) My Riga Minox sn 06514 is much earlier thenn USSR Riga Minox 9591, 9878, It may be made in Latvia before USSR occupation, hence probably made before 1940 Looking up Hubert Heckmann's book MINOX The Queen of Spy Cameras SN Riga Minox was made in 1939 Edited December 24, 2021 by MTC Photography Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTC Photography Posted September 17, 2022 Share Posted September 17, 2022 Riga Minox with Luigi genuine leather jipper case Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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