Stichting Dialogue Vintage Photography

Dialogue Vintage Photography is a unique festival dedicated to celebrating historical and vintage photography, focusing on 19th and early 20th-century use photography. Founded in 2005, the festival is organized by a passionate team of collectors, historians, and curators who aim to highlight the artistic and historical value of vintage photographs.

The festival offers a diverse range of over 50,000 vintage photographs and photo books for sale, including vintage prints, carte-de-visite, cabinet cards, stereoviews, photo albums, daguerreotypes, tintypes, panoramas, photobooks, and art photography. It attracts international dealers and collectors, featuring galleries specializing in both 20th-century and earlier photography.

Dialogue emphasizes the appreciation of photographs that were originally intended for practical purposes, such as scientific documentation, advertising, education, travel souvenirs, and family portraits. Visitors can explore and purchase unique items, attend insightful lectures on the authenticity and manipulation of photographs, participate in workshops on collodion and polaroid techniques, and enjoy exhibitions showcasing rare and visually striking images.

The festival was inspired by the legacy of Frido Troost, a renowned photography collector and dealer whose passion for vintage photography left a lasting impact on the community. His photo-antiquarian store, the Institute for Concrete Matter (ICM), was a haven for lovers of vintage photography. Dialogue serves as an ode to Frido, celebrating his dedication to preserving and appreciating historical photographs.

As a non-profit organization, Dialogue aims to connect everyone who is active or interested in vintage photography, whether they are galleries, collectors, curators, students, artists, or other enthusiasts. By providing a platform for interaction and exchange, Dialogue fosters a vibrant community that appreciates and preserves the rich history of photography.