I have seen the bottom of the barrel, and it looks exactly like a basement in Northern New Jersey! As I continue with the molting process of all things mental and material, I offer for your consideration the first list of items available for purchase. There will be updates/additions to follow as I add more from my seemingly bottomless pit of possessions.

Anyway, here we go.....

Welcome, my beloved flickr friends, to the Great DRP Sell-Out Of 2005!

Be the proud owner of a trinket or piece of clothing or cherished antique once owned by the infamous "Anxiety Kid." Give a new home to an art print, a camera, a book, or what I consider the most hideous sculpture ever created by man (I kid you not). I've broken the auction down into different groups so you can focus on those goodies that you're particularly interested in. If there is a history behind an item, I'll provide it in the description so you can be entertained by the witty backstory, and not just wowed by the amateurish product photography.

I'm going to take a page from the John Freyer book "All My Life For Sale" (thanks for the referral, Deborah) and not just let go of the things I know will move out the door, but also the everyday pieces of life that make it interesting and surreal. I mean, who doesn't want a lucite clock shaped like a pyramid from a failed internet start-up, or a bottle of ginseng-infused water named "Up Yours"? You don't, huh? Well, I think you DO.

Since eBay's fees have gone through the roof, I thought it best to conduct this as a private auction between us, before going over to the "dark side" if something doesn't sell.

Basically, you do the following:

1) Check the descriptions and links to photos below.
2) Make note of the number that corresponds to the item you'd like to bid on (for example: A1-001).
3) E-mail me with an offer (in US dollars) that's above the starting bid indicated.

At the end of the week, the person who placed the highest bid on that item wins it. I'll e-mail you and we'll then go through a painfully lengthy process involving an abacus and popsicle sticks to figure out totals with shipping to your location. You can either PayPal me the funds (preferred) or send a bank check or money order.

Also, to put a unique spin on the entire process, I'm asking everyone that does makes a purchase to photograph what they bought and post the shot to the "friends of drp" group. It would be great to see what a favorite Hawaiian shirt of mine looks like on it's new owner, or where you decided to hang the old engraving from the 1800s, or how that lava lamp sits perfectly on your desk between the company mug and the DVD burner. And if you buy one of my cameras, I'd LOVE to see some of the work you'll create with it. This is by no means mandatory on your part, I just think it would be fun.

I suggest you do some online research if you need more detailed info/specs on some of the items I offer. When possible, I'll provide a link to a site that will be helpful. Items are graded from bad to good condition using the following scale: Poor - Fair - Good - Very Good - Excellent - Mint. Of course, you can always write me if you have any questions at all.

PLEASE NOTE that you can review a series of photographs of any item by clicking on the thumbnail image above its description. Hit your browser's BACK button to return here.

So, thank you for taking some time to look over this list. Know that you won't only be buying a "piece of me," but you'll be furthering my process of attaining spiritual simplicity, financial solvency, and domestic tranquility.

And by the way.....you may want to wipe down or launder any of the items you purchase. The stench of unemployment seems to have permeated everything these days.

AUCTION 1 : Film And Movie Gear
(Bids accepted until 11:59pm EST - May 21, 2005)

Oh, this is tough. These items are where my passion lives, and yours too if you're on Flickr. I loved photography ever since making that pinhole camera in the 4th grade. I'd sit and look through the box of family pics for hours. When I finally reached high school and developed my first roll of 35mm film in class, the love for the art form burned bright inside of me. Then again, it could have been those burritos I loved so much as a teen. Anyway, before I start sobbing like a baby, here it all is.....

A1-001

(remember to click these icons to see the pics)

Item: Canon AE-1 Program camera outfit
Manufacturer: Canon (Japan)
Release date: 1981
Condition of item: Excellent/Mint
Film size: 35mm
Serial #: 3173289
Included in this lot: Canon AE-1 Program 35mm camera with 50mm lens and cap; Canon Power Winder A2; Vivitar Zoom Thyristor 2500 flash unit; camera strap; copy of the AE-1P user manual
Special info: The Canon AE-1 was the first "professional" camera I ever used, back in my high school photography class. When I graduated, I worked a crummy sales job for a year to afford this camera, its successor. It takes some truly amazing pictures, and the accessories perform wonderfully. You'll notice in one of the pics that there is a small speck in the viewfinder. This is not on the shutter glass, and it does not affect the quality of the shot. It's a solid workhorse, and can accept a variety of lenses. I doubt you'll need the copy of the user guide that comes with this lot, but it does provide some interesting info. You can find specs and reviews for the AE-1P here.
Starting bid: $125.00

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A1-002



Item: Kodak Hawkeye Brownie camera outfit
Manufacturer: Kodak
Release date: 1955
Condition of item: Very Good/Excellent
Film size: 620
Serial #: -
Included in this lot: Kodak Hawkeye Brownie 620 film camera; Kodak Kodalite Flasholder
Special info: This is the camera my father would take all of the family photos with. Everything from birthdays and holidays, to beach trips and picnics in the park were captured through this lens. It's in very good condition, with the bakelite surface showing minimal scuffing and wear for its age, and no chips or scratches. Despite popular belief, you can STILL purchase film for this camera from quite a few online vendors. All 620-sized film is respooled 120-sized film, replacing the larger 120 spool with the somewhat smaller 620 spool. You can also do it yourself if you're handy in the dark room. You can check out a price list for film here. I hope this old beauty will live again in your home.
Starting bid: $25.00

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A1-003



Item: Diana-F plastic camera outfit
Manufacturer: The Great Wall Plastic Factory
Release date: 1967
Condition of item: Mint
Film size: 120
Model #: 162
Included in this lot: Diana-F 120 film camera; Diana-F flashlight; wrist strap; instructions for use; original boxes
Special info: I have seen so many fascinating images taken by flickr photographers using toy and plastic cameras. Fans of Dianas and Holgas have their own hip subculture and you can see why. These devices produce such dreamy and surreal pictures. The Diana was made to be given away at carnivals around 1967. There were very few controls in the production and the cameras vary from one to the next. The simple construction lends itself to incredible light leaks, which make for a unique picture every time. Sadly, I never had a chance to snap any shots with this. It's in Mint condition, and comes with a flash unit and original instruction sheet. Read up on the allure of the Diana here.
Starting bid: $35.00

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A1-004



Item: GAF Anscomatic 436 instant loading camera
Manufacturer: GAF
Release date: 1970s
Condition of item: Excellent
Film size: 126
Serial #: 410968
Included in this lot: GAF Anscomatic 436 instant loading film camera; original box
Special info: This is another camera my father took many family snaps with. Going from a device that needed roll film, to this simple instant loading camera was a delight for dear old dad. It takes 126 cartridge film which is still manufactured by The Frugal Photographer for $5. This little gem features a f/2.8 lens, electric eye exposure, programmed shutter, low light indicator, and a focal range that varies through portrait, crowd, and landscape settings. Even though the original box is in sorry shape, I am including it for sheer kitsch value. Make the 70s come alive with catridge camera coolness.
Starting bid: $15.00

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A1-005



Item: K-148 plastic camera
Manufacturer: -
Release date: 2004
Condition of item: Mint
Film size: 35mm
Serial #: -
Included in this lot: K-148 plastic camera; wrist strap; original box
Special info: This was one of those flea market finds - a plastic cam with a focus-free 50mm lens that I picked up for for a few bucks. It might be a 35mm version of a Diana or Holga in picture quality. I don't know. Thing is, you can modify it to your heart's content. Bounce it around, make your own filters with tape and colored acetates. Just point and shoot. As Regina (Jolene's daughter) might say....."It could be a tooth, it could be a diamond." For a fin it's not a bad gamble. Since I don't have any links for this camera, how about looking at a pic of a cute kitty?
Starting bid: $5.00

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A1-006



Item: Sony Hi8 camcorder
Manufacturer: Sony
Release date: 2000
Condition of item: Mint
Film size: Hi8/standard 8mm
Model #: CCD-TRV67
Included in this lot: Sony CCD-TRV67 Hi8 camcorder; wireless remote; power adapter; battery pack; a/v connecting cable; instruction manual; original box, leather case
Special info: I used this camcorder maybe a dozen times over the years, and it has performed flawlessly on each occasion. It's got a long-life battery so you're sure to capture any event without worry, image stabilization that helps prevent camera shake, Sony's NightShot function that lets you shoot in complete darkness, a 2.5-inch swivel LCD screen, 8 picture effects (sepia, solarize, b&w, etc.), 4 fade modes, and many other fine features. Picture performance is excellent for a model of this format, and the 20x optical zoom is about the best in its class. It may seem like the SUV of cams when compared to the slim digital models of today, but its size translates into better balance and more accessible placement of controls. This unit has the quality electronics Sony is known for, and its easy of use makes it perfect for novices as well as more experienced video buffs. I originally purchased this for over $500, but I'm offering it for half that now. You can read a review here.
Starting bid: $250.00

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A1-007



Item: Argus Dualmaster 880Z compact projector
Manufacturer: Argus
Release date: ?
Condition of item: Excellent
Film size: Super/standard 8mm
Model #: 880Z
Included in this lot: Argus Dualmaster 880Z projector; automatic take-up reel; instruction sheet; cover
Special info: This once belonged to my uncle, who loved shooting old 8mm film. I can remember going over to his house as a kid and sitting around with the family to watch flicks of vacations and weddings. My aunt would cook up pasta and we'd have a grand old time. I was even allowed to have a glass of wine on those nights! What is most vivid in my mind is my uncle sitting there, with a cigarette in one hand and a glass of scotch in the other, as he'd narrate the scenes. That and the sound of the projector. When he died years ago, I kind of inherited this machine. We watched my parents' wedding on it, before having the film converted to VHS. This is a solid machine. It deserves to go to someone that will respect its history, and it's fine workmanship. I can't find any links for it online, so specs are unavailable.
Starting bid: $50.00

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Here's what I'll feature in the next auction group.....

Antique art prints and engravings from the late 1800s - early 1900s