Stéréoscope-Classeur Portatif

Region: France    Period: 1890–1930    Tag: Mackenstein Stereoscope type: Tabletop » Multi-view » Tray-based

Le Stéréoscope-Classeur Portatif has a unique mechanism. “Portatif” means portable. Although compact, the device is too heavy to be classified as a true hand-held stereoscope.

The viewer was introduced in 1911, but it appears not to have been a commercial success, as it no longer featured in the catalogue of Mackenstein’s successors, Suffize & Molitor, after the First World War. Production probably ceased around 1915, which also explains why the viewer is today a rare collector’s item.

Operation:
The distinctive feature of this stereoscope is that the tray, which holds 25 glass stereoviews, remains fixed in position while the images are viewed. A turning knob is located on the side. By rotating this knob clockwise or anticlockwise, an image is selected. In doing so, the entire viewing assembly, including lenses and tray, moves. On the top of the viewer, an index with 25 numbers indicates the selected image, accompanied by a push button.
Inside, beneath the tray, is a mechanism with 25 fingers. When the button on top is pressed, the finger corresponding to the selected image is activated and pushes the slide upwards into viewing position before the lenses. Releasing the button returns the image back into the tray.

Related items: Mackenstein  Suffize & Molitor

Specifications:

Patents:

Number: 436338
Appareil pour la vision d'une série de vues photographiques sur verre
Filing: 19-01-1911, Publication: 25-03-1912, Applicant(s): Établissements Mackenstein. via: data.inpi.fr

Further reading: