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 an 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 collection 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.
In 2023, following two years dedicated to sorting and investigating cameras, I chose to continue my father’s the 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 an extensive personal collection, I have chosen a different path.
Today, a new generation of creators is rediscovering analog photography as a means to capture reality without the constraints of performance and perfection imposed by ever-evolving digital technology. In an era defined by efficiency, analog photography, with its inherent risks and imperfections, emerges as a liberating and pleasurable space.
This is why the 99 Cameras Museum strives to create a meaningful and inspiring camera collection for a modern, younger generation of enthusiasts. Each of the 99 displayed cameras was meticulously selected for its unique role in the history of photography, with every one telling its own story.
This curated collection offers an opportunity to explore and understand the remarkable journey that has shaped our contemporary relationship with visual creativity.
To promote a fresh perspective on analog photography, the 99 Cameras Museum recently launched its first photo project, The Analog Chronicles, and founded the 99 Cameras Club, a passionate community of organizations, photographers, and collectors united by a shared vision.
I sincerely hope you will enjoy your visit,
– Federico
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