For Billingham aficionados and collectors: An original Billingham "System" camera bag from the early days of Billingham in unbelievably fine condition. This is an "M. Billingham" bag, (Martin Billingham), handmade from "Halesowem Worchestershire". It was one of their first forays into camera bags; now of course, legendary. This looks like one of their system bags, maybe "System 2, 3 or 4". I bought it years ago from a photographer who ordered and purchased it brand new before there were any "dealers" in the USA. He ordered it in the mid-1970s from an ad he saw in the British publication "Amateur Photographer" for the new company "Billingham". He wrote to the company, purchased their bag, and had it shipped directly from England.
It's in amazing shaped and he used it to travel and photograph places all over Nova Scotia, Canada and beyond. It's never been mistreated or washed. There are no significant stains or marks on it. It's In incredible condition, given it's vintage age. There are no wear spots, or issues. Everything is original, including the strap and hardware. I've had it a long time and never used it other than when I had a photo assignment where I really wanted to make a statement. I ran into another photographer once who offered to buy it on the spot and throw his own bag in to boot.
This bag is made to a different spec and look to the newer ones. The canvas is heavy and excellent quality, it's not treated with rubber or coatings, it's more of an original "Banana Republic" style, before they even showed up. The inserts are not floppy foam that breaks down over time. They are stiff panels that don't sag and there's even a piece of thin plywood underneath(!). It has all of the original "OPTI" zippers and all of the original snaps (even the snap covers) from Newey, England.
This is an amazing vintage collectable Billingham bag, well suited for collectors. If you're looking for the "right" bag to carry around your Leicas, vintage Nikon, Canon, Hasselblad or Rolleiflex cameras, it doesn't get better than this. Please ask any questions in advance; no international shipping. Shipping price is modest and mostly covers shipping insurance, which is more and more important these days. The bag will be well boxed. Hope it goes to a great new home.