Gianpaolo, my father, was a collector.
And like any true collector, he was far from being a reasonable man.
He harbored a multitude of passions that he transformed into collections. As an engineer with a love for history, he dedicated most of his attention to his collection of vintage cameras.
As far as I can remember, I’ve always seen him scouring antique shops across the globe, frequenting fairs, and flea markets in pursuit of cameras ranging from the early 1900s to the late 1980s.
His pleasure lay in spending his nights disassembling them, painstakingly bringing them back to life. I rarely witnessed him happier than when he finally heard the “click” of a camera’s shutter that had lain silent for years.
This passion drove him for more than five decades, leading him to create one of the most eclectic and captivating collections of vintage cameras, spanning not only through various eras but also encompassing a diverse array of technical innovations.
I spent a lot of time assisting him during my childhood, often carrying newly acquired camera boxes or passing him tools as he repaired them. As I grew older, he used to wait for my visits to guide me through his latest acquisitions after dinner. It’s a ritual we cherished for years.
In 2020, my father passed away, leaving behind a collection of over two thousand devices. After two years dedicated to sorting and investigating, I decided to continue his legacy.
Much like him, I am captivated by cameras that shaped our worldview and contributed to our present “image society.” The 20th century, marked by two world conflicts, the cold war, the surge of photojournalism, and the rise of celebrity culture, was consumed by a photographic obsession.
A fresh approach to camera collection
While my father built a private collection of thousands of cameras, I chose a different path: sharing it.
Each of the 99 displayed cameras was hand-picked for its unique place in the history of photography. Together, they tell the story of a century obsessed with images — and invite a new generation to rediscover the pleasure of analog.
This is why we launched The Analog Chronicles and founded the 99 Cameras Club — a community of businesses, photographers, and collectors united by a shared love for film.
I sincerely hope you will enjoy your visit,
— Federico
Camera Donations and Support
The Museum and all its activities are driven by a non-profit spirit, guided by a deep passion for photography and its history.
Every contribution we receive is entirely reinvested whether to preserve and grow our camera collection or to bring people together through community events. If our work resonates with you and you would like to support our mission, we would be truly grateful to hear from you.
And if you own vintage cameras that carry a story and deserve to be shared with future generations, we would be honoured to welcome them into the collection. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the donors whose generosity has helped bring this project to life.
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