8mm Forum: Question About Birth Of A Nation

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Posted by Dan Lail (Member # 18) on January 03, 2010, 01:17 PM:

Does Blackhawk's feature Birth Of A Nation have the tinted scenes in color?

Posted by Dino Everette (Member # 1378) on January 03, 2010, 03:23 PM:

The standard 8 did not but the super 8 was available either with the colored bits or without the colored bits, likewise their exclusive music track...

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on January 03, 2010, 03:30 PM:

There is, in fact, a copy of that somewhat rare version on ebay right now, (either that ir it just ended). As earlier stated, it has the color tinting and sound.

My copy is a stunner as well as a puzzle. Its black and white sound, standard 8mm. It is quite honestly the sharpest standard 8mm print I have ever seen hands down, but it doesn't have any printiong on it whatsoever that gives away who made it.
The sprocket area, instead of being see through, is jet black.

Any ideas folks?

Posted by Dan Lail (Member # 18) on January 03, 2010, 03:45 PM:

The one I have is super 8 silent. Does this have tinted scenes intact?

Posted by Christian Bjorgen (Member # 1780) on January 03, 2010, 03:48 PM:

Hi, Dan!

Is the postage to Norway really $33? Right now it's the only thing keeping me from buying it [Razz]

Posted by Dan Lail (Member # 18) on January 03, 2010, 03:56 PM:

Christian,

$33.00 really is the postage cost. In fact it is the least expensive shipping. The film is on seven 400' reels with Blackhawk box. The shipping weight is right at 4 pounds. You can calculate it at http://www.usps.com/ I have added a $2.00 S&H charge for the packaging.

Posted by Christian Bjorgen (Member # 1780) on January 03, 2010, 04:01 PM:

Will it fit a large envelope, or is this a risk to the reels?

Posted by Dino Everette (Member # 1378) on January 03, 2010, 04:10 PM:

Dan since Blackhawk released Super 8 silent versions that were both colored and B/W only you would be able to answer that unless you know the blackhawk number on the box?

Speaking of Birth of a Nation, which is an ongoing source of fascination with me. I have what basically is the only existing complete version of the Epoch Producing Corporations' stock book. The man that originally owned the book (he received it from one of the Aitkens) sold it to David Shepard in the 1970's who broke it apart and sold off all of the original D.W. Griffith autographs. Thankfully this gentleman had the forsight to copy the book and make a complete recreation down to every little paper clip, pin, added notes, everything. The final pic is from the back of my book which is an original unused stock certificate for the company that only existed to finance Birth of a nation. Basically they sold of the stock to folks and then quickly bought them all back, so the profits would ultimately go to Griffith and the 2 Aitkens.

These are some snapshots the gentleman took as well back in 1968. The first one is Griffiths' retirement home in La Grange Kentucky, the second pic of the couple was Griffiths' personal lawyer J. Ballard & his wife who lived across the street. The final picture is of Richard Reynolds, who was Griffiths' assistant in Kentucky. Both Reynolds and Ballard said that Griffith was actually not a racist, but was in fact highly progressive for a southerner of the time. I am just repeating what I heard rather than trying to open up the debate.

Posted by Dan Lail (Member # 18) on January 03, 2010, 04:14 PM:

Christian,

The Priority Envelope is the only one it would fit and it cost $36.95.

Posted by Dino Everette (Member # 1378) on January 03, 2010, 04:25 PM:

you could do 2 priority 12.95 envelopes if you don't send the bottom of the box

Posted by Christian Bjorgen (Member # 1780) on January 03, 2010, 04:26 PM:

Well, I would want the box. Do you plan on putting it back on eBay if it doesnt sell?

Because I don't get paid until Jan 25th, so I can't make a final decision before then.

Posted by Dan Lail (Member # 18) on January 03, 2010, 04:27 PM:

Dino,

Those envelopes are cardboard and can tear open. The larger ones are Tyvek.

Posted by Dino Everette (Member # 1378) on January 03, 2010, 04:29 PM:

true, do you know the blackhawk number on the side of the box I could let you know about the color

Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on January 03, 2010, 04:40 PM:

Well, $33 is pretty good for shipping from the US, I would say.
[Confused]

Posted by Christian Bjorgen (Member # 1780) on January 03, 2010, 04:44 PM:

It isn't bad at all, but paying 33$ shipping for a 50$ film when you're a poor student isn't the easiest case in the world [Frown]

Too bad there aren't licensed sellers with payment plans for us poor Scandinavians [Wink]

Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on January 03, 2010, 05:24 PM:

Christian,

The Blackhawk box is not really important, because they are the generic one. You can get it from somewhere else.

In case you send only the 7 reels, I believe it will fit on the Priority Mail Flat Rate Box which is only $12.95 from USA to anywhere in the world (to max 4 pounds). Check here: http://ircalc.usps.gov/popups/PMI_SmallFlatRateBox_help.htm

cheers,

Posted by Dan Lail (Member # 18) on January 03, 2010, 06:45 PM:

Winbert,

The dimensions on that box are 8-5/8" x 5-3/8" x 1-5/8". The 7" diameter reels will not fit in 5-3/8" width. That is 1-5/8" short of making it.

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on January 03, 2010, 07:38 PM:

Wonderful info Dino!

Posted by Dan Lail (Member # 18) on January 03, 2010, 09:54 PM:

Dino, the numbers are LD400 BXB46 860502597 LOC0427 FTG 2930 0020096

In that order. [Smile]

Posted by Dino Everette (Member # 1378) on January 03, 2010, 10:24 PM:

Dan that is the original 1970's silent B&W only release

sorry [Frown]

Posted by Dan Lail (Member # 18) on January 04, 2010, 01:18 AM:

Thanks, Dino. Silents with music tracks and original tinted scenes must be rare.

Posted by Dino Everette (Member # 1378) on January 04, 2010, 01:21 AM:

Yep since it was like $299 in the 1970's I'd figure hardly anyone has em....I'd love to find one ( but not sure I'd pay $300)

Posted by Christian Bjorgen (Member # 1780) on January 04, 2010, 03:06 AM:

Dan, is the film on sound stock, so that I can record a musical score unto it?

Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on January 04, 2010, 06:59 AM:

quote:
The dimensions on that box are 8-5/8" x 5-3/8" x 1-5/8".

Dan, I just realize that one. But to be honest, I once received in that (very economical) envelope, i.e. 3 400" reels with the original cardboard box (they were Walt Disney 400" series).

I forgot how the seller fit the 3 reels inside that envelope.

I still keep the envelope and I will tell you how. But perhaps, he modified a bit the envelope and as far as I remember, Joe Taffis (member of this forum who is also working with the USPS) told us here that USPS will allow that modification as long as the lid is fully closed (I will also search for the said thread).

cheers,

Posted by Michael Dixon (Member # 1836) on January 04, 2010, 10:43 AM:

I have not viewed mine lately and do not recall if it has the tinted scenes or not. Mine is Blackhawk, Std.8 silent. Purchased new soon after they offered their restored version. Mine is 6 reels of 400 feet. In original box. Box is black with the decorated lid. As I recall, the price was $100.00, quite a lot of money at that time.

Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on January 04, 2010, 10:52 AM:

quote:
The dimensions on that box are 8-5/8" x 5-3/8" x 1-5/8". The 7" diameter reels will not fit in 5-3/8" width. That is 1-5/8" short of making it.

Dan, I have found my old thread and I did make a mistake. I should say Priority Mail International™ Flat-Rate Envelope which is 12-1/2" x 9-1/2". But the cost is almost the same.

To avoid taking this thread become out of topic, I have made a new thread regarding postage here:
The inexpensive way to ship films from USA to worldwide

cheers,

Posted by Dan Lail (Member # 18) on January 04, 2010, 12:26 PM:

quote:
In case you send only the 7 reels, I believe it will fit on the Priority Mail Flat Rate Box which is only $12.95 from USA to anywhere in the world (to max 4 pounds). Check here: http://ircalc.usps.gov/popups/PMI_SmallFlatRateBox_help.htm

Winbert, you stated box not envelope. [Smile]

Your link shows the box with the dimensions. There is also a
$12.95 envelope, but I stopped shipping films in them because they sometimes get torn open. I tried using two envelopes by fitting one inside the other making it twice as thick, but still had tear problems during shipping.

Christian, there is no sound stripe. [Eek!]

Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on January 04, 2010, 12:54 PM:

I'm not sure I would want any film reels shipped across the atlantic in an envelope. I wouldn't even be particularly happy to ship domestically in an envelope, following a tearing incident a few years back.

Posted by Christian Bjorgen (Member # 1780) on January 04, 2010, 12:56 PM:

That's too bad, I have the DVD and was hoping I could use the music from there [Wink]

Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on January 04, 2010, 01:31 PM:

quote:
I'm not sure I would want any film reels shipped across the atlantic in an envelope

Michael, the envelope used by the USPS is not the paper envelope like we normally use. It is made from board (hard paper) but not as thick as a cardboard. But certainly for inexpensive films (like I normally deal with) this service is reliable. And more importantly, the original box of the film itself (cardboard or plastic case) sent together with the films is already strong enough to protect the films.

Dan, to avoid any tear during transit, you can hardened it with sellotape along the edge of envelope. But you are the seller then you decide.

cheers,

Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on January 04, 2010, 01:34 PM:

Oooops...sorry [Big Grin]

I thought you were describing a Jiffybag type envelope!!

Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on January 04, 2010, 01:45 PM:

That's OK Michael.

This is the USPS link for the said envelope http://ircalc.usps.gov/PopUps/intlPriorityMail_FlatRateEnv_help.htm

and as I wrote in the other thread:

quote:
The Priority Mail International™ Flat-Rate Envelope has a dimension 12-1/2" x 9-1/2" so quite possible to cater 7" reel. The max weight is allowed in this envelope is 4 lbs. The cost is $12.75 (online) or $13.45 (post office) to anywhere in the world (That includes Zimbabwe in Africa or Tubuai in Pacific...amazing!!).

So can you see how economical this USPS service is? I have tried to put 8 200" with OB in this envelope and they sit nicely...so practically it will cost only $13 to Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, North Korea.. ..or even Falkland islands ... [Wink]

I cannot find any cheaper international postage service in any other countries. (Not to mention USPS Media Mail for domestic users...well this is a heaven for Vinyl and Film collectors. The USA residents are the lucky ones ) [Big Grin]

cheers,

Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on January 04, 2010, 02:05 PM:

Ah, now that I see what you're talking about, I actually received an 800ft short on a core in such an envelope from the US.
It seemed pretty safe, though I was somewhat surprised when I actually received it.

Posted by Dan Lail (Member # 18) on January 04, 2010, 02:53 PM:

Box good. Envelope bad. [Big Grin]

Posted by Christian Bjorgen (Member # 1780) on January 04, 2010, 02:55 PM:

So we have settled on the box then [Wink]

Dan, is there anything more to know about the reel other than what is in the auction info?

Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on January 04, 2010, 02:59 PM:

If you can put teak wood surrounding the reels in order to protect it and place it together inside the said envelope, as long as the total weight is not more than 4 lbs, the envelope is still good though [Big Grin]

cheers,

Posted by Dan Lail (Member # 18) on January 04, 2010, 05:35 PM:

Yes, teak wood good. [Big Grin]

I think the description covers it. It still will not fit in a $12.95 box. It will not fit in one $12.95 envelope either.

Posted by David Kilderry (Member # 549) on January 05, 2010, 01:37 AM:

Dino, is it true that after a few years Griffith then sold off "Birth" to states rights, not relising it would make a few more fortunes by the end of the twenties?

David

[ January 05, 2010, 05:31 AM: Message edited by: David Kilderry ]

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