Tag: Bize

L’Astra is the last known stereoscope based on a design by Lucien Bize. The viewer was introduced in 1913 by Robert Pleyau, the successor of Bize’s company[1]. The stereoscope was available for the 45x107mm and 6x13cm format and has two achromatic lenses with eyepiece blinders. It could be purchased with an optional wooden cabinet for… Continue reading L’Astra

Le Polyphote looks more like a common multiple view stereoscope than Lucien Bize’s other designs Minimus and Multiphote. A 1910 advertisement[1] lists the Polyphote as a new device, so it’s assumed that this is the year of its introduction. The device was available for 45x107mm and 6x13cm glass stereoviews. The viewer uses a slide tray for 25 slides.… Continue reading Le Polyphote

The Multiphote is designed by Lucien Bize and introduced in 1908[1]. It’s a further development of the Minimus and adds a slide-tray to place and catch the slides. It’s a slightly bigger device compared to the Minimus, but it simplifies replacing the slides. Multiphotes were manufactured for the 45x107mm and 6x13mm format. The top cover of the… Continue reading Le Multiphote

Le Minimus was patented by Lucien Bize and Simeon Louis Claparede in 1907[1]. The device was announced a year later, together with the Phoenix (or Phénix) and the more advanced Multiphote[2]. The Minimus was introduced for the glass stereoview formats 45x107mm and 6x13cm. The Minimus doesn’t have an advanced mechanism and was therefore compact and… Continue reading Le Minimus

The design for the Omnium was Lucien Bize’s first patent and dates from 1904[1]. It’s a simple folding stereoscope for paper card stereoviews. There were also models with a frosted glass to view glass stereoviews. The viewer comes with its original burgundy coloured box. The viewer is collapsible and the handgrip can be unscrewed from… Continue reading L’Omnium