Demaria

Region: France    Period: 1890–1930    Occupation: Instrument maker   Tag: Demaria

The company founded by Isìdore Demaria in 1858 developed into a major manufacturer of photographic instruments. His sons joined the business, which continued as Demaria Frères from 1897.

Demaria Frères produced a wide range of cameras in various types and sizes, including stereo cameras. The company also manufactured optics, cinema equipment, and stereoscopes. Its products were marketed under the brands D. M. R. and Capsa.

In 1911, Demaria Frères merged with Lapierre, a manufacturer primarily of magic lantern projectors, forming Demaria-Lapierre. During the First World War, the company produced aerial cameras for the military. The firm expanded further after the war through a merger with Mollier in 1930, becoming Demaria-Lapierre-Mollier.

Related items:
Capsa  D. M. R.  Magic lantern

People:

Isìdore Demaria
* ?   † ?
Jules Joseph Demaria
* 23 January 1865, Paris, France   † 10 May 1950
Louis Henri Demaria
* 31 January 1868, Paris, France   † ?

Company addresses:

Demaria
Paris
1858  –1893
Demaria & Fils
Paris
1893  –1897
Demaria Frères
Paris
1897  –1908
Demaria-Lapierre
Paris
1908  –1930
Demaria-Lapierre-Mollier
Paris
1930  – 

Further reading:

  • The Magic Lantern Society. Encyclopaedia of the Magic Lantern (2001) , p. 87
  • "La Société Anonyme des Etablissements Demaria-Lapierre-Mollier" in: L'Instantané (1931) , pp. 301-302. via: gallica.bnf.fr
Published: 15-04-2026