What Model Photobooth Do You Have?
Gallery reference for different models of vintage photobooths
Auto-Photo Model 17
AKA PHOTO-ME MODEL 17 PHOTO BOOTH
Approx Years Produced: 1960s and 1970s
Serial Plate Location: Above door, plate was often black or red.
Characteristics: Boxy. The original booths were a warm linear woodgrain finish with black signage, however many booths were redone in the 1980s and 1990s to suite the interiors of shopping malls. These booths may appear as oak woodgrain outsides, creamy linen finish, or a light grey exterior with dark grey interior. The retro looking “PHOTOS” top sign came out of this era, made with a font similar to one used on The Doors albums.
Original doors were white with thin horizontal lines on them and silkscreened signage. If you don’t have this, your door is not original.
Other notes: If you’re looking at a Model 17 photobooth with black laminate for the bottom 10” of the exterior, light woodgrain in the middle with black signage on top, then you are most likely looking at an original that wasn’t restyled in the 80s or 90s. Depending on it’s condition, it may be more valuable.
Auto-Photo Model 9
Approx Years Produced: 1940s into early 1950s
Serial Plate Location: Bottom of white door, centered
Characteristics: Curved, wood trim (most were made without metal trim), metal floor, white ceramic door with a round plastic photostrip delivery “globe”
Other notes: These photobooths were the last model to develop one photostrip at a time. Behind the the door, you’ll notice a spacious interior with an air powered transmission and only one carrier arm
Auto-Photo Model 11
Approx Years Produced: 1950s to early 1960s
Serial Plate Location: Above top ambient light window, centered. Plate should be green. This was the first serial plate with an updatd Auto-Photo logo.
Characteristics: Turquoise laminate, warm honey stained wood trim, with a mix of chromed metal and fluted aluminum accents. Ceramic door in lighter turquoise.
Other notes: These models are a little bit more crowded behind the studio door. Coming after the Model 9, this booth now develops 7 photostrips at a time using a mechanical transmission and flash firing strobes versus flood lights.
Auto-Photo Model 20 Photobooth
Approx Years Produced: Mid to late 1970s to early 1980s*
Serial Plate Location: Over the top of the door, centered.
Characteristics: These photobooths are a “cute” version, with a more compact appearance. They look like a Model 17, but with a slightly smaller footprint and a few more lateral metal trimlines.
Other notes: Often seen with a “Photographs” or “Photographies” top sign, with most models consisting of an off-white interior, pale yellow and oak woodgrain exterior. They were built with special aluminum corners that were custom made for this particular machine, and laminate covered press board. You can see a Model 20 analog photobooth in the movie Dawn of the Dead, 1978.
The Model 20 photobooth pictured is as it was found. This machine is about to be restored. More/better photos coming soon.
*This is a bit of a guess.