Visitors embark on a captivating journey through a century of photography, accompanied by some of the most iconic cameras ever produced.
An Unreasonable Collection and a Family Legacy
The 99 cameras on display are part of the Benincasa camera collection, spanning from the early 1900s to the advent of digital photography in the 90s. Gianpaolo Benincasa was an avid collector who spent over half a century amassing rare cameras from around the world. His dedication resulted in an incredibly diverse collection of more than 2000 vintage cameras.
To carry on his father's legacy and share this remarkable collection, his son Federico established the 99 Cameras Museum, nestled within the legendary Studio Harcourt, a Parisian institution that has borne witness to photographic history since 1937.
Not Your Typical Photography History Museum
Unlike a comprehensive historical exhibit, the curation aims to provide an aesthetic, playful, informative, and somewhat nostalgic experience. Along the journey, visitors will encounter 99 cameras, including ones from renowned brands like Leica, Hasselblad, and Zeiss Ikon. They will also discover lesser-known design and technology gems that laid the foundation for the cameras we use today. The cameras are categorized for easy access and are accompanied by concise, easily digestible descriptions focused on anecdotes and key facts.
The collection primarily focuses on the industrial period, setting aside the fascinating but often artisanal earlier cameras. The curation aims to highlight the innovations that made it possible for ordinary individuals to capture their family on vacation or a car race with a pocket-sized camera. This transformation is a testament to the fierce competition among manufacturers throughout the 20th century.
Whether you're an analog photography enthusiast, a history buff, or just curious, a visit to the 99 Cameras Museum is a unique experience in Paris.
A New Kind of Museum Experience
Admission to the collection is free, as would have been the desire of Gianpaolo, but visitors have the option to support the museum through NFT patronage. The 99 Cameras Museum is the world's first museum where visitors can acquire exclusive digital replicas of all the featured cameras and have a stake in the collection, contributing significantly to its preservation and enhancement.
Using this new Patronage approach, all contributors are entitled to a part of profits in case of sale of the collection and exclusive or privileged access to all museum activities and collectibles. Several Organisations, Photographers and Collectors such as Blind magazine, All About Photo, the Analog Club, Eyeshot, Obscura or Rhapsody Curated have already decided to support the 99 Cameras Museum as founder members through the ownership of such digital collectibles.
