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| − | '''Prince Camera Works''' is a trademark, associated with many Japanese cameras called Prince. It was used by the distributor [[Fukada|Fukada Shōkai]] before 1945 (as プリンスカメラウアークス, ''Purinsu Kamera Uākusu''), and it was revived by the distributor [[Mima|Mima Shōkai]] from 1953 to 1956 (as プリンスカメラワークス, ''Purinsu Kamera Wākusu''). It seems that it was not the name of any actual company.
| + | {{disambig}} |
| − | | + | The name '''Prince''' designates one of the following: |
| − | == History ==
| + | * Prince products sold before 1945 by the Japanese distributor [[Fukada|Fukada Shōkai]], in association with the trademark "Prince Camera Works" (プリンスカメラウアークス, ''Purinsu Kamera Uākusu'') and a ''PCW'' logo: |
| − | === Prewar and wartime Prince cameras ===
| + | ** [[Prince plate folders|Prince]] 6.5×9 plate folder |
| − | The name '''Prince Camera Works''' was 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 the Prince accessory rangefinder. </REF> either in its full form or through a ''P.C.W.'' logo. All these products were distributed by the company [[Fukada|Fukada Shōkai]], which was certainly the owner of the Prince trademark. | + | ** [[Prince Peerless]] 6.5×9 plate folder |
| − | | + | ** [[Semi Prince]] 4.5×6 folder |
| − | It seems that "Prince Camera Works" was just a dummy name, used by the distributor Fukada Shōkai for advertising purpose or to hide the real maker's name. This practice was not uncommon among Japanese distributors at the time (see the discussion at [[Camera Works]]).
| + | ** [[Prince Flex]] 6×6 TLR |
| − | | + | ** [[Pocket Prince]] 4×6.5 folder |
| − | It is well established that the [[Semi Prince]], a camera associated with Prince Camera Works in original advertisements, was actually manufactured by [[Fujimoto]].<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> 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. It is not known if this attribution is correct or not.
| + | ** [[Japanese 3×4 and 4×4 pseudo TLR|Prince Baby Ref]] 3×4 pseudo TLR |
| − | | + | ** Prince auxiliary rangefinder |
| − | The [[Prince Flex]], another camera associated with Prince Camera Works in original advertisements, is prominently inscribed ''Neumann & Heilemann.'' It was certainly developed by [[Neumann & Heilemann]], and it seems that it was taken over by Fujimoto (see [[Prince Flex]]).
| + | * [[Princeflex|Princeflex and Prince Junior]] 6×6 TLR, sold in the 1950s by the Japanese distributor [[Mima|Mima Shōkai]], again in association with the trademark "Prince Camera Works" (プリンスカメラワークス, ''Purinsu Kamera Wākusu'') and a ''PCW'' logo |
| − | | + | * Prince [[Hit]]-type subminiature |
| − | === Other attributions ===
| + | * [[Toyoca Ace|Prince Ruby]], name variant of the [[Toyoca Ace]] |
| − | Some sources attribute the [[Doris (3×4)]] and [[Baby Doris]] cameras to "Prince Camera Works".<REF> McKeown, p. 803; Sugiyama, items 1038–9. </REF> They were 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 the actual maker of these cameras is not known for sure: see the discussion in the corresponding pages.
| + | * [[Prince 16-A]], subminiature camera taking 17.5mm film |
| − | | + | * L. M. Prince & Bro., a US camera maker of the late XIXth century |
| − | === Postwar developments ===
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| − | From 1953 to 1956, 6×6 TLR cameras called [[Princeflex]] and [[Princeflex|Prince Junior]] were distributed by [[Mima|Mima Shōkai]]. These were made by the company [[Tōyō Seiki Kōgaku]], and perhaps by [[Cosmo|Cosmo Camera Seisakusho]] from 1955. These cameras were advertised with the ''P.C.W.'' logo and the mention of "Prince Camera Works" next to the distributor's name.<REF> Advertisements reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp. 167–7. A very similar advertisement is reproduced [http://blog.livedoor.jp/united3arrows/archives/51212433.html here at Shashin-Bako]. </REF> This is certainly why these cameras are sometimes attributed to "Prince Camera Co.", probably a mistake.<REF> For example {{Sugiyama}}, item 2225, and {{McKeown}}, p. 803. </REF>
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| − | | |
| − | == Prince products ==
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| − | === Prewar and wartime cameras ===
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| − | * [[Prince plate folder|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) | |
| − | * [[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|Fukada Shōkai]], except for the Prince plate folder, for which no original document has been observed.
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| − | | |
| − | === Postwar cameras ===
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| − | * [[Princeflex]] | |
| − | * [[Princeflex|Princeflex 2]] | |
| − | * [[Princeflex|Prince Junior]]
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| − | | |
| − | === Other ===
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| − | * Prince auxiliary rangefinder (sold ¥11 in 1936 and ¥12.50 in 1939)<REF> Advertisement in the winter 1936 supplement to ''[[Asahi Camera]]'', and advertisement dated October 1939 published in ''[[Asahi Camera]]'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 91. </REF> | |
| − | The rangefinder is engraved ''PRINCE CAMERA WORKS.''<REF> Example observed in an online auction. </REF>
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| − | | |
| − | == Notes ==
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| − | <references />
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| − | | |
| − | == Bibliography ==
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| − | * {{Showa10}}
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| − | * {{Lewis}}
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| − | * {{McKeown12}}
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| − | * {{Zukan}}
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| − | * ''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. | |
| − | | |
| − | == Links ==
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| − | In Japanese:
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| − | * [http://blog.livedoor.jp/united3arrows/archives/51212433.html Advertisement by Mima Shōkai] mentioning Prince Camera Works, dated 1954, reproduced in [http://blog.livedoor.jp/united3arrows/ Shashin-Bako]
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| − | | |
| − | [[Category: Japanese distributors]]
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