Stéréoscope Pliant de Poche is a simple, compact and foldable viewer. When folded, the viewer has the size of glasses. The stereoscope fits in Jules Richard’s strategy to offer a wide range of products, in different price ranges and for different target groups. The viewer is labeled Vérascope, which means that it’s designed to support the small 45 x 107 mm format that was introduced by Richard in 1893.
Specifications
| Manufacturer: | Jules Richard, Paris |
| Year of introduction: | 1903 (patent filed) |
| Year of manufacture: | Unknown |
| Type: | Hand-held |
| Viewer: | Single-view |
| Serial number: | None |
| Stereoview support: | Glass stereoviews |
| Stereoview format: | 45 x 107 mm |
| Lens focussing: | No |
| Inter-ocular adjustment: | No |
| Eyepiece blinders: | No |
| Dimensions (L x W x H): | 11.5 x 8 x 6.5 cm (unfolded) |
| Construction: | Metal |
| Other features: | Stéréoscope pour Vérascope engraved and the logo RF |
Patent
| Number: | FR3291431 |
| Title: | Système d’appareil stéréoscopique pliant |
| Filing date: | 06-02-1903 |
| Publishing date: | 25-07-1903 |
| Applicant(s): | Jules Richard |
Glossary: hand-held / inter-ocular adjustment / single-view
Jules Richard
Félix Richard (1809–1876) established in 1845 a company that was specialised in the manufacturing of barometers. Jules Richard (1948–1930) took over the management of his father’s company in 1876, and patented in 1880 the first reliable barometer that could permanently record air pressure. The barometer became very successful, and the company at 25, Rue Mélingue in Paris started to grow. Richard introduced the compact 45 x 107 mm glass stereoview format and Vérascope stereo camera in 1893. It became a great success and the Vérascope became the best-selling stereo camera of its time. A product line was created around the new format, with a wide range of cameras, stereoscopes and accessories in different price ranges. The company became the leading brand of stereoscopy products and brought stereo photography within the range of amateurs. Their product names, such as Vérascope and Taxiphote, were commonly used as synonyms for stereo cameras and stereo viewers of all kinds.
The complete story of Jules Richard
References
- Richard, Jules. (1903) Système d’appareil stéréoscopique pliant. Via: data.inpi.fr ↩︎