Richard, Jules
Region: France Period: 1890–1930 Occupation: Instrument maker / Publisher / Inventor Tag: Richard
Félix Richard established a company in 1845 specialising in the manufacture of barometers. In 1876, his son Jules Richard assumed management of the firm. In 1880, Jules Richard patented the first reliable self-recording barometer capable of continuously registering atmospheric pressure. The instrument achieved significant commercial success.
Between 1887 and 1891, Jules operated the company together with his younger brother Félix-Maxime under the name Richard Frères. The name Richard Frères and its associated RF logo continued to be used for an extended period after the ending of the partnership.
In 1893, Jules Richard introduced the compact 45 x 107 glass stereoview format together with the Vérascope stereo camera. The system achieved considerable success and contributed to a revival of stereo photography in France. Vérascope became a registered trademark, and a comprehensive product line was developed around the new compact format, comprising cameras, stereoscopes, and accessories in various price categories. In the early 1900s, the Taxiphote was introduced. It was the first tray-based stereoscope and served as a model for comparable designs produced by manufacturers in France and Germany.
Richard’s company developed into the leading brand in stereoscopic equipment and made stereo photography accessible to a broader amateur market. The product names Vérascope and Taxiphote were widely used as generic terms for stereo cameras and stereoscopes.
Richard also published an extensive series of erotic glass stereoviews produced in a classical Atrium setting.
Related items:Taxiphote Vérascope Vérascope camera
People:
Félix Richard* 1 February 1809, Lyon, France † 14 July 1876, Paris, FranceJules Nicolas Richard
* 19 December 1848, Lyon, France † 18 June 1930, Paris, FranceFélix Maxime Richard
* 23 July 1856, Lyon, France † c. July 1949
Company addresses:
Timeline:
1845
Establishment of the company by Félix Richard.
1891
Partnership between Jules and Félix-Max ends.
1893
Introduction of the Vérascope stereo camera and new 45 x 107 stereo format.
1900
Introduction of the Stéréo-Classeur, the predecessor of the Taxiphote.
1904
Introduction of the Glyphoscope.
1908
Introduction of the Taxiphote Modèle simplifié.
1914
Introduction of L’Homéos, a stereo camera for roll film.
Further reading:
- Ruiter, André. Atrium (2025). via: stereoscopyhistory.net
- Perin, Jacques. Jules Richard et la Magie du Relief - tome 1 (1993)
- Perin, Jacques. Jules Richard et la Magie du Relief - tome 2 (1997)