Le Phénix is by far the rarest of all Bize’s viewers and a very rare stereoscope in general. The stereoscope was presented as a novelty in 1908, together with Le Minimus and Le Multiphote. It was announced as Le Phœnix and presented as a revolving stereoscope with an interchangeable belt for 48 slides in the 45 x 107 mm format. In a later advertisement, it was called Le Phénix, and it supported 60 slides. There was also a 6 x 13 cm model. Le Phénix might be the most compact revolving stereoscope ever made.

Le Phénix contains a belt with wooden locks in which detachable metal holders with stereoviews can be placed. The belt hangs on a metal bar. Turning the knobs on the bar will rotate the belt and display the images one by one. The belt contains a handle to lift it from the device. After the left knob is loosened, the bar can be pulled out of the device, and the belt can be exchanged for a new one. At the back, a fold-out mirror can be used to direct the light and illuminate the images.
Year of introduction: | 1908 |
Type: | Tabletop |
Viewer: | Multiple-view |
Mechanism: | Chain-based |
Stereoview types: | Glass stereoviews |
Supported formats: | Models for 45 x 107 mm and 6 x 13 cm |
Number of slides: | 60 slides (early models 48 slides) |
Lens focus: | Yes |
Inter-ocular adjustment: | Yes |
