The Taxiphote is a sophisticated tray-based multi-view stereoscope, designed and manufactured by Jules Richard. The first model was presented in 1900 and was called Stéréo Classeur, but soon the name Taxiphote was introduced. The Taxiphote remained in production for 35 years and offered more or less the same features during its lifetime. The internal mechanism was improved through the years while the appearance stayed the same. There were models for the glass formats 45 x 107 mm and 6 x 13 cm, but also for the less common formats 7 x 13 cm and 8.5 x 17 cm. Richard introduced a simplified model of the Taxiphote in 1908.
The Taxiphote Modèle Optique supports short focus (court foyer). Short focus models offer a solution to a typical problem encountered with 45 x 107 mm tray-based stereoscopes. The minimum distance between the lenses of the stereoscope and the loaded glass slide is the length of the slide tray, which is about 10 cm. With larger stereoview formats this is not a problem, but the image of a 45 x 107 mm slide appears relatively small from this distance, and a significant amount of the dark space inside the stereoscope is visible. The Taxiphote Modèle Optique uses additional block lenses to magnify the photo. They show more image and less dark space. The only downside is that the image is slightly cropped. The block lenses can be either permanently lowered in front of the oculars or manually by moving a lever on the left side of the device.
Specifications
| Manufacturer: | Jules Richard |
| Year of introduction: | 1900 (first Taxiphote) |
| Year of manufacture: | 1908–1910 |
| Type: | Table-top |
| Viewer: | Multi-view |
| Mechanism: | Tray-based |
| Bidirectional navigation: | No |
| Serial number: | 7550 |
| Stereoview support: | Glass |
| Stereoview format: | 45 x 107 mm |
| Number of slides: | 25 |
| Lens focussing: | Yes |
| Inter-ocular adjustment: | Yes |
| Eyepiece blinders: | No |
| Dimensions (L x W x H): | 28 x 28 x 48.5 cm |
| Construction: | Walnut |
| Other features: | Storage cabinet for 12 trays (300 slides). |
First patent Taxiphote
| Number: | FR285184 |
| Title: | Système d’appareil distributeur automatique des vues photgraphiques applicable aux stéréoscopes, appareils de projections etc. |
| Filing date: | 21-01-1899 |
| Publishing date: | |
| Applicant(s): | Louis Colardeau, Jules Richard |
Glossary: inter-ocular adjustment / multi-view / tabletop / tray-based
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
Further read
- Joseph, E.C.L. and Richard, J. (1900) Un appareil pour l’exposition successive et vues photographiques (stéréoscopiques ou autres) . Available at: worldwide.espacenet.com (Accessed: 22 December 2022).
- Martiné, P. (2021) Le Taxiphote – the most famous French stereo viewer, the stereosite. Available at: stereosite.com (Accessed: 11 January 2023).