Haber & Fink (NY) & a Leica IIIC/F

[astral]

<p>Does anyone have information or anecdotes about Haber & Fink, Warren Street NY?</p>

<p>A quick trawl around the internet reveals that they produced a triple turret for Leica LTM cameras, some time in the 1950s, and apparently had an exhibition gallery that featured work from top contemporary photographers. Presumably the store sold a wide range of photographic goods, not just Leica?</p>

<p>I believe it may have closed in c.1972, or may have become Willoughby-Peerless (Willoughby's) - and there may be some connection with B&H.</p>

<p>Here's a newly aquired Leica IIIc converted to IIIf BD D/A which bears a Haber & Fink sticker. The camera dates from 1951 and shows very little wear; the new components are pristine, suggesting it was barely used after the upgrade. It's interesting (but probably fruitless) to speculate how it subsequently arrived in Britan ....</p>

<p><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3326/3551515937_dae62530b4_o.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="396" /></p>

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[JDMvW]

<p>Interesting question. Willoughbys may have absorbed Haber and Fink at some point, but it claims descent from an 1898 store (<a href="http://www.willoughbys.com/info/About_Us">link</a> ). I simply do not know if this once widely advertised store (W. in the 30s to 60s) is the same in anything but name (<a href="../filters-bags-tripods-accessories-forum/00Ewt1">link</a> ). Another old classic mail-order store was Peerless, and at some point they got mixed in as well (<a href="http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F10A14F638541A7B93CBAB1783D85F478685F9">link</a> ).</p>

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[JDMvW]

<p>I didn't find more specifics, but here are all three companies advertising separately and at different addresses in the June 1949 issue of <em>Minicam Photography</em> (later renamed <em>Modern Photography</em> ). Note the many used cameras offered, a continuing effect of WWII on production and trade, and also made more attractive by something like a 25% Federal Excise tax on new cameras and optical equipment.</p><div></div>

[wendell_kelly]

<p>Willoughby's had quite a large store on 32n Street in the middle of the camera district about a block from where B&H is today. Peerless operated a considerably smaller store near Grand Central Station, about ten blocks to the north.<br>

The two merged in the mid 1960's and eventually operated only the 32nd Street store. They made some weak attempts to diversify carrying stereo audio equipment then computers on 32nd Street.</p>

 

[arlen_c._elkins]

<p>Interesting to note the prices of the Used cameras in the ads, although the prices may seem reasonable to us now, adjusted for inflation that used Leica IIIc for $249.50 in 1947 would be equal to $2380.00 today!</p>

<p>Also interesting to see that used Contax Rangefinder cameras were selling for more than used Leicas.</p>