John S. Craig, 1943-2011

[KoNickon]

I just came across his obituary in the local newspaper this morning.

John lived in Torrington, CT and was the guy behind the craigcamera.com website, which has an amazing inventory of camera manuals (originals and excellent reproductions) and other ephemera. I did business with him a number of times over the years, and he was incredibly efficient to deal with. He was also very well known as a photographic historian and established a "Daguerrian Registry" of photographers active in the U.S. prior to 1860.

I'm betting many of you have checked out his site, or done business with him, so I wanted to pass on the information. You can find his obituary at courant.com.

 

[chris00nj]

Sad to hear. His website is a great resource of information. May he rest in peace.

 

[charjohncarter]

Thanks for posting this sad news.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

That is sad news, I've been to his website a good bit.

 

[Sebman]

Sad News indeed.......

Sad News indeed.......

I met John Craig in the 1990's at one of the many Washington DC area Photorama camera shows. Seeing his total inventory of camera manuals was always impressive. He will be missed. No one had the passion and dedication that he had when it came to manuals. We will always remember who started it all....RIP

 

[CameraQuest]

I met John when he journeyed to the West Coast for California camera shows, in the mid to late 1990's. Air travel was different then -- it was EASY to board planes with many if not hundreds of cameras and travel the country for camera shows. John was exceptionally knowledgeable and helpful, a great resource for all photogs. He will be missed.

Stephen

 

[kkdanamatt]

Sad to hear about John

Sad to hear about John

I first met John in the Spring of 1975 at one of the early camera shows in the NY/NJ area. At that time he had not yet begun his rise to fame with instruction manuals. I recall that his table was covered with "antique" cameras, rather than classic "users".
In those days you could walk away from your table to schmooze with other guys across the room and when you returned all your cameras would still be on your table.
John was friendly to a "newbie" like me and through the years his enthusiasm for vintage photographica never waned. He will be missed by many in the photographic collecting community. Condolences to his wife, Joyce, and the rest of John's family.

Karl Kantrowitz

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Sorry to learn about this... I only contacted him once about a camera manual, and he was gracious enough to suggest alternate sources for it. I didn't expect a quick reply, so I was pleasantly surprised...