Difference between revisions of "Prince"
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=== Before the war === | === 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,<REF> For example an accessory rangefinder observed in a Yahoo Japan auction. </REF> 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 name '''Prince Camera Works''' is first associated with prewar Japanese cameras distributed by the company [[Fukada|Fukada Shōkai]]. It appears in original advertisements and on some products,<REF> For example an accessory rangefinder observed in a Yahoo Japan auction. </REF> either in its full form or through a ''P.C.W.'' logo. All these products were distributed by the company [[Fukada|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. It is usually understood that Prince Camera Works was a camera maker. However there are some doubts. It is said by many sources<REF> [http://www.fujimoto-photo.co.jp/web/corp/history/index.html Company history] of the [http://www.fujimoto-photo.co.jp/ Fujimoto official website]; Lewis, p. 53; ''Supuringu kamera de ikou'', pp. 78–80; {{McKeown}}, pp. 331–2. </REF> that the [[Semi Prince]], a camera associated with Prince Camera Works in original advertisements, was actually manufactured by [[Fujimoto]]. On that basis, some sources<REF> Including {{McKeown}}, p. 331–2. </REF> 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 a dummy name, used by the distributor Fukada Shōkai for advertising purpose to hide the real maker names. | The exact status of Prince Camera Works is not very clear. It is usually understood that Prince Camera Works was a camera maker. However there are some doubts. It is said by many sources<REF> [http://www.fujimoto-photo.co.jp/web/corp/history/index.html Company history] of the [http://www.fujimoto-photo.co.jp/ Fujimoto official website]; Lewis, p. 53; ''Supuringu kamera de ikou'', pp. 78–80; {{McKeown}}, pp. 331–2. </REF> that the [[Semi Prince]], a camera associated with Prince Camera Works in original advertisements, was actually manufactured by [[Fujimoto]]. On that basis, some sources<REF> Including {{McKeown}}, p. 331–2. </REF> 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 a dummy name, used by the distributor Fukada Shōkai for advertising purpose to hide the real maker names. | ||
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* [[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. | + | 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|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]]: | Here are two models whose attribution is unsure, and that are perhaps related with [[Condor Camera|Nissan Kōgaku]]: | ||
Revision as of 19:13, 15 March 2007
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. It is usually understood 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 a dummy name, used by the distributor Fukada Shōkai for advertising purpose to hide the real maker names.
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 dubious rumor says that Neumann & Heilemann merged with the Prince factory and that the Prince Flex was the first resulting product.[4]
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, whereas Watakushi no ni-gan-refu kamera-ten, p. 28, says that Neumann & Heilemann merged with Fujimoto.
- ↑ 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.
- 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).
- 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).
- Watakushi no ni-gan-refu kamera-ten (私の二眼レフカメラ展, Exhibition of twin lens reflex cameras). Tokyo: JCII Camera Museum, 1992. (Exhibition catalogue, no ISBN number.) P. 28.
