Difference between revisions of "Prince"
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It also seems that the [[Prince Flex]], another camera associated with Prince Camera Works in original advertisements, was developed by [[Neumann & Heilemann]], or in cooperation with this company. A rumor says that Neumann & Heilemann merged with the Prince factory and that the Prince Flex was the first resulting product.<REF> This is mentioned as a rumor in {{Kokusan}}, p. 340. </REF> | It also seems that the [[Prince Flex]], another camera associated with Prince Camera Works in original advertisements, was developed by [[Neumann & Heilemann]], or in cooperation with this company. A rumor says that Neumann & Heilemann merged with the Prince factory and that the Prince Flex was the first resulting product.<REF> This is mentioned as a rumor in {{Kokusan}}, p. 340. </REF> | ||
| − | It seems probable that the trademark Prince was owned by the distributor [[Fukada Shōkai]]. Perhaps Prince Camera Works was a company associated with Fukada, that made some of the cameras called Prince but not all of them, or perhaps it was just a name | + | It seems probable that the trademark Prince was owned by the distributor [[Fukada Shōkai]]. Perhaps Prince Camera Works was a company associated with Fukada, that made some of the cameras called Prince but not all of them, or perhaps it was just a name for commercial use, hiding the fact that the cameras were made by various subcontractors. |
=== Postwar developments === | === Postwar developments === | ||
After the war, the company [[Tōyō Seiki Kōgaku]] made 6×6 TLR cameras called [[Princeflex]] and [[Princeflex|Prince Junior]], distributed by [[Misuzu Shōkai]]. These cameras were sometimes advertised with the mention of Prince Camera Works and the ''P.C.W.'' logo. | After the war, the company [[Tōyō Seiki Kōgaku]] made 6×6 TLR cameras called [[Princeflex]] and [[Princeflex|Prince Junior]], distributed by [[Misuzu Shōkai]]. These cameras were sometimes advertised with the mention of Prince Camera Works and the ''P.C.W.'' logo. | ||
| − | + | === Other attributions === | |
| + | {{McKeown}} attributes the [[Doris (3×4)]] and [[Baby Doris]] cameras to Prince Camera Works.<REF> McKeown, p. 803. </REF> They were indeed distributed by Fukada, and at least the Doris was advertised in a context associating it with the Prince cameras (it is called the "sister of the Semi Prince": セミプリンスの姉妹品).<REF> Advertisements reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 80. </REF> However it seems more likely that these cameras are related to the company [[Condor Camera|Nissan Kōgaku]], see the discussion in the corresponding page. | ||
== Cameras == | == Cameras == | ||
| − | + | === Prewar === | |
| + | * [[Prince plate folder|Prince]] 6.5×9 plate folder | ||
* [[Prince Peerless]] 6.5×9 plate folder (1934–6) | * [[Prince Peerless]] 6.5×9 plate folder (1934–6) | ||
* [[Semi Prince]] 4.5×6 folder (1934/5–9) | * [[Semi Prince]] 4.5×6 folder (1934/5–9) | ||
* [[Prince Flex]] 6×6 TLR (1937–9) | * [[Prince Flex]] 6×6 TLR (1937–9) | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
* [[Pocket Prince]] 4×6.5 folder (1939–40) | * [[Pocket Prince]] 4×6.5 folder (1939–40) | ||
* [[Japanese 3×4 and 4×4 pseudo TLR cameras|Prince Baby Ref]], 3×4 pseudo TLR (1939–40) | * [[Japanese 3×4 and 4×4 pseudo TLR cameras|Prince Baby Ref]], 3×4 pseudo TLR (1939–40) | ||
| − | |||
| − | + | Only the Prince Peerless, Semi Prince and Prince Flex are known for sure to be associated with Prince Camera Works in original advertisements, either through the full name or through the ''P.C.W.'' logo. The other models are known to appear in advertisements by [[Fukada Shōkai]], except for the Prince plate folder, for which no original document has been observed. | |
| + | |||
| + | Here are two models whose attribution is unsure, and that are perhaps related with [[Condor Camera|Nissan Kōgaku]]: | ||
* [[Doris (3×4)|Doris]] 3×4 strut-folder (1939–41) | * [[Doris (3×4)|Doris]] 3×4 strut-folder (1939–41) | ||
* [[Baby Doris]] 3×4 folder (1941–3) | * [[Baby Doris]] 3×4 folder (1941–3) | ||
| − | Postwar | + | === Postwar === |
* [[Princeflex]] | * [[Princeflex]] | ||
* [[Princeflex|Princeflex 2]] | * [[Princeflex|Princeflex 2]] | ||
Revision as of 13:12, 27 October 2006
Prince Camera Works is a Japanese entity, associated with many cameras called Prince, and whose history is not entirely clear.
Contents
History
Before the war
The name Prince Camera Works is first associated with prewar Japanese cameras distributed by the company Fukada Shōkai. It appears in original advertisements and on some products[1], either in its full form or through a P.C.W. logo. All these products were distributed by the company Fukada Shōkai, and it seems probable that it was the actual owner of the Prince trademark.
The exact status of Prince Camera Works is not very clear. The simplest and most obvious theory is that Prince Camera Works was a camera maker.
However there are some doubts. It is said by many sources[2] that the Semi Prince, a camera associated with Prince Camera Works in original advertisements, was actually manufactured by Fujimoto. On that basis, some sources[3] attribute to Fujimoto all the other cameras named Prince and associated with Prince Camera Works. This leads to the theory that Prince Camera Works was just an alternative name for Fujimoto, used by the distributor Fukada Shōkai to hide the real maker's name. However the company history at the Fujimoto official website only mentions the Semi Prince as Fujimoto's first camera in 1934, and does not mention other Prince cameras.
It also seems that the Prince Flex, another camera associated with Prince Camera Works in original advertisements, was developed by Neumann & Heilemann, or in cooperation with this company. A rumor says that Neumann & Heilemann merged with the Prince factory and that the Prince Flex was the first resulting product.[4]
It seems probable that the trademark Prince was owned by the distributor Fukada Shōkai. Perhaps Prince Camera Works was a company associated with Fukada, that made some of the cameras called Prince but not all of them, or perhaps it was just a name for commercial use, hiding the fact that the cameras were made by various subcontractors.
Postwar developments
After the war, the company Tōyō Seiki Kōgaku made 6×6 TLR cameras called Princeflex and Prince Junior, distributed by Misuzu Shōkai. These cameras were sometimes advertised with the mention of Prince Camera Works and the P.C.W. logo.
Other attributions
McKeown attributes the Doris (3×4) and Baby Doris cameras to Prince Camera Works.[5] They were indeed distributed by Fukada, and at least the Doris was advertised in a context associating it with the Prince cameras (it is called the "sister of the Semi Prince": セミプリンスの姉妹品).[6] However it seems more likely that these cameras are related to the company Nissan Kōgaku, see the discussion in the corresponding page.
Cameras
Prewar
- Prince 6.5×9 plate folder
- Prince Peerless 6.5×9 plate folder (1934–6)
- Semi Prince 4.5×6 folder (1934/5–9)
- Prince Flex 6×6 TLR (1937–9)
- Pocket Prince 4×6.5 folder (1939–40)
- Prince Baby Ref, 3×4 pseudo TLR (1939–40)
Only the Prince Peerless, Semi Prince and Prince Flex are known for sure to be associated with Prince Camera Works in original advertisements, either through the full name or through the P.C.W. logo. The other models are known to appear in advertisements by Fukada Shōkai, except for the Prince plate folder, for which no original document has been observed.
Here are two models whose attribution is unsure, and that are perhaps related with Nissan Kōgaku:
- Doris 3×4 strut-folder (1939–41)
- Baby Doris 3×4 folder (1941–3)
Postwar
Notes
- ↑ For example an accessory rangefinder observed in a Yahoo Japan auction.
- ↑ Company history of the Fujimoto official website; Lewis, p. 53; Supuringu kamera de ikou, pp. 78–80; McKeown, pp. 331–2.
- ↑ Including McKeown, p. 331–2.
- ↑ This is mentioned as a rumor in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 340.
- ↑ McKeown, p. 803.
- ↑ Advertisements reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 80.
Bibliography
- Asahi Camera (アサヒカメラ) editorial staff. Shōwa 10–40nen kōkoku ni miru kokusan kamera no rekishi (昭和10–40年広告にみる国産カメラの歴史, Japanese camera history as seen in advertisements, 1935–1965). Tokyo: Asahi Shinbunsha, 1994. ISBN 4-02-330312-7.
- McKeown, James M. and Joan C. McKeown's Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 12th Edition, 2005-2006. USA, Centennial Photo Service, 2004. ISBN 0-931838-40-1 (hardcover). ISBN 0-931838-41-X (softcover).
- Lewis, Gordon, ed. The History of the Japanese Camera. Rochester, N.Y.: George Eastman House, International Museum of Photography & Film, 1991. ISBN 0-935398-17-1 (paper), 0-935398-16-3 (hard).
Links
- Discussion about Prince (and Doris) within this Japanese miscellanea page at tlr-cameras.com
