The word "vintage" is very overused on EBAY. It seems to include reproductions of classic photographs that are very MISLEADING. So be very, very, careful that you don't get stung by one of these deceptive listings. AND they are meant to be deceptive. You have to READ the descriptions very closely to find this out before bidding. There are a lot of them and Ebay should be ashamed of itself ofr allowing this kind of deception and MISREPRESENTATION. An AUTHENTIC vintage photograph is one taken and printed by the photographer of record and/or supervised by an assistant that the original photographer authorized to make an edition. It is not simply a matter of age but rather authorship. The control issue is essential as each and every artist wants to have control over how her/his work looks at different times in her/his career. This is why you get variations such as Weston's or Adams's prints. Do not be fooled by cheaply printed imitations, or replicas, or forgeries of which there are many. Look for a stamp of authority from the Weston Estate for instance or a particular kind of paper the artist was known to use. Ask the seller lots of questions about where the print came from (its history of owners), what condition it is in (faded, solarized, etc.), when it was printed (the year will tell you something about its "vintage" or age), who printed it (the original artist, an assistant or the estate-think Man Ray fogeries). If you have the time check with dealers who are known to carry work by the particular photographer you are interested in. Do not trust the auction house or Ebay to have done their homework (even they can be fooled by a determined or ignorant seller).

Collecting quality photographs or even venacular photographs can be fun and it doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg. But be forewarned before you go bidding you head off for an inferior piece of work.

Privateeye-Old is a collector, appraiser, and seller of vintage and modern art and other objects. USPAP certified and offers these thoughts on vintage photographs as an introduction to NOT getting burned!