Ever since I started seriously photographing aircraft in the early 1960s, I have filed my collection negs individually in neat little semi-transparent ‘envelopes’ (little bags) measuring about 70mm wide by 95mm deep. These will take 6 x 6 negs as well as 35mm and sizes in-between. I used to buy these envelopes in bulk from a local shop, which has long gone out of business. Now I am running out of envelopes and cannot find the things in any other local photography shop any more (I guess the lot that is now dwindling were bought around 20 years ago!). But surely they are still made and available somewhere, although a Google search has not turned up any maker or supplier. Does any lister know of a source, please? The size I have quoted is not too critical, nor is the eact design, but I’d like to find something suitable that will integrate with my filing system, as I still have many rolls of developed film to be checked and chopped-up.
And in case anyone is wondering, the duplicate negs are available for sale or swap (preferably the latter). I am working on putting them up on my website in large batches from time to time and inviting offers.
By: Transportraits - 22nd May 2006 at 20:54
Following-up on the suggestion, I found similar envelopes called ‘Claer Front’ quite widely available and used by cigarette card and postcard collectors. I bought a quantity sized 3.50 x 2.25 ins and others 4.50 x 3.00 ins. The former are closest to the old negative wallets I used to be able to buy, but are just too tight a fit for 6 x 6 cm negs. Rather than re-package all my existing negs into the larger size, I have set aside all my remaining old stock for 6 x 6 use and use the new, slightly smaller envelopes for 35mm and other small format negs. If I were starting from scratch, I would go for the larger size, as not only is it more than okay for the 6 x 6 (or 2.25 ins. sq. in old money) and 6 x 7 cms, but will also take the old 116 size negs, of which I have a number.
I bought these envelopes from Rob Roy Cards, Crosshall, Chelsfield Village, Nr Orpington, Kent BR6 6EN, for the princely sum of £1.00 per 100 for both sizes, plus postage. They have a website at www.robroyalbums.co.uk where these wallets can be ordered and paid-for by credit/debit card. I have no connection with this firm other than as a so far satisfied customer. One thing to note is that the Clear Front wallets do not take ball-point, felt tip or other inks at all well. I solved that by buying a reel of 1,500 suitable-size white sticky labels on eBay for just over £2. The labels stick very firmly to the clear or the opaque side of the wallet and accept all the above ink types, plus pencil.
By: Transportraits - 1st May 2006 at 20:58
Hello, Albert.
Thank you for the kind words about my Carvair and other shots in Air Pictorial way back when. Those were good days, I was younger and fitter and as I worked at Southend Airport I was able to get out along the runway and got many good pictures, plus hours hanging about the public road at the south end of the runway and the golf course or railway line at the north end. Almost impossible now, thanks to over-protective Health & Safety Regulations, to say nothing of fears about terrorism.
I am not very active photographically these days, but tend to shoot colour slides myself now. Still have most of mt b&w negs though, especially the ‘action’ pictures.
Anyway, many thanks for your suggestion. Sounds good and I will certainly follow-up on it.
Regards,
Richard Goring (alias John Goring, alias Transportraits)
By: ALBERT ROSS - 1st May 2006 at 20:02
The packets you describe sound like the same kind my father used to keep stamps in. Have you tried your local stamp collecting shop, or Stanley Gibbons in the Strand, London? BTW, if you are who I think you are, I used to really admire your action shots of Carvairs and other types published in Air Pictorial througout the ’60s! Myself, I gave up b/w negatives in 1966 when I changed to colour slides and have never regretted it!
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April 29, 2006 at 8:58 pm