As one who goes to auctions often, I always check every item I buy to see what’s been left behind.
At the bottom of the leather pouch of a Canon zoom lens (FD 100-200mm f5.6) was a handwritten letter on faded notebook paper from a man to his family. There’s no date, but it’s a sweet reminder that this camera has a history intertwined with the people who owned it.
The letter sounds like it’s from a son to his family. Was he away at college? In the military? Living in another city? The mind can create all kinds of stories and scenarios based on what someone writes in a letter.
Here’s the letter. I’ve left out the full names:
Dear Family:
The sweater and Eddie Arnold are Daddy’s birthday presents. The crystal is M—‘s birthday present. The lens is for Mom and Dad’s anniversary.
MOM + DAD:
The Vivitar lens is only to protect the zoom lens from scratches. Use it all the time. I have circled the pertinent info in the Vivitar booklet. I would advise picking up a case to fit it. If you learn to use this lens correctly it will bring a whole new world of pictures. Good luck.
Hi B—!
Happy Birthday, boy.
Love,
M—-
P.S. The money order is to fix my tape player in the Jeep.
(I believe the Vivitar lens was sold at a subsequent auction. I did not bid on it, though.)
