The Mackenstein 1914 catalogue shows a series of “Stéréoscopes à main perfectionnés” viewers for glass and paper card stereoviews. These viewers were based on a patented design by Mackenstein. The hand-held stereoscope in this post has a different design and was manufactured by Mattey. Mackenstein had several stereoscopes in its product range that were manufactured by Mattey, but they were sold under the name Mackenstein. Other examples are the Stéréoscope à doucine and Stéréoscope format 6×13.
Specifications
| Manufacturer: | Mattey |
| Year of introduction: | c. 1910 |
| Year of manufacture: | c. 1910 |
| Type: | Hand-held |
| Viewer: | Single-view |
| Serial number: | None |
| Stereoview support: | Glass stereoviews |
| Stereoview format: | 45 x 107 mm |
| Lens focussing: | Yes |
| Inter-ocular adjustment: | No |
| Eyepiece blinders: | Yes |
| Dimensions (L x W x H): | 14 x 12.5 x 8.5 cm |
| Construction: | Wood |
| Other features: | The whole front panel with lenses moves in- or outwards when focussing the viewer. The viewer has a plate on the front panel with Établissements Mackenstein – Usine: 15 Rue des Carmes, Magasin: Avenue de l’Opéra Paris. |
Glossary: hand-held / inter-ocular adjustment / single-view
Hermann Mackenstein
Hermann Josef Hubert Mackenstein (1846–1924) was born in Doveren, Westphalia (present-day Germany). He learned the trade of carpentry and left for Paris in 1867 to improve his skills. He started manufacturing cameras at the end of the 1870s. His company moved to 15, Rue des Carmes around 1900, and a store was opened in 1902 at 7, Avenue de l’Opéra. Mackenstein’s company became a leading manufacturer of cameras in Paris. Mackenstein manufactured conventional cameras, stereo cameras and stereoscopes. In 1914, the international situation deteriorated, leading to the outbreak of the First World War. Mackenstein was forced to fled to the neutral Netherlands in 1915. He returned to Paris after the war, where he died in 1924. His company was continued by two of his employees, Henri Suffize and Léon Molitor.
The complete story of Mackenstein