Matsushima

From Camera-wiki.org
Revision as of 19:01, 10 May 2009 by Rebollo fr (talk | contribs) (found one more ad)
Jump to: navigation, search

Matsushimawas a Japanese distributor active in the mid 1950s and based in Ginza, Tokyo.[1] It started as the photographic department (写真部) of Matsushima Megane-ten (松島眼鏡店, meaning Matsushima Glasses Shop), an eyeglasses store. It is said that it was set up by "Mikami" (三神, ミカミ),[2] either the name of an individual or that of another company. At some point between 1955 and 1958, it became Matsushima Shashin-yōhin K.K. (松島写真用品㈱, meaning Matsushima Photo Supply Co., Ltd.).[3]

Matsushima was distributing various products of Orion Seiki at least from 1953 to 1958, including the Mirax reflex housing, Focabell bellows and Supreme lenses, as well as the Coupler and other Orion adapters.[4] In 1955, it was also selling other accessories under the Unik brand, probably not made by Orion.[5][6] In 1958, it was using the Macott brand for various products.[7]

Unik accessories

  • Prismo pivoting brilliant finder, slipped in the camera's accessory shoe (c.1955, ¥2,800)[5][6]
  • Snap band, a hand strap attached in the tripod thread[5][6]
  • Macopy stand (c.1958, ¥6,800)[7]
  • Macott products[7]

Notes

  1. The exact address was Tōkyō-to Chūō-ku Ginza 3–2 (東京都中央区銀座3–2). Source: advertisements listed below, dated November 1953 to April 1958.
  2. Main page of the Miranda Society Japan.
  3. The name Matsushima Megane-ten appears in the advertisement in Asahi Camera August 1955 (p.206), and Matsushima Shashin-yōhin K.K. in the advertisement in Shashin Kōgyō April 1958 (p.317).
  4. Advertisements listed below, dated November 1953 to April 1958.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Advertisement in the June 1955 special issue of Photo Art, p.22.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 Advertisement in Asahi Camera January 1955 (p.229), February 1955 (p.190), March 1955 (p.180), April 1955 (p.211) and August 1955 (p.206).
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Advertisement in Shashin Kōgyō April 1958 (p.317).

Bibliography

  • Asahi Camera. Advertisement by the photo department of Matsushima or Matsushima Megane-ten in November 1953 (p.59), January 1955 (p.229), February 1955 (p.190), March 1955 (p.180), April 1955 (p.211) and August 1955 (p.206).
  • Photo Art rinji zōkan: Kamera akusesarī zensho (フォトアート臨時増刊・カメラアクセサリー全書, Photo Art special issue: All the camera accessories). June 1955, no.80 of the magazine. Advertisement by the photo department of Matsushima Megane-ten on p.22.
  • Shashin Kōgyō no.72, April 1958. Advertisement by Matsushima Shashin-yōhin on p.317.

Links