Difference between revisions of "Sears"

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|| ''Tower 57. <small>Picture by Jwinfred.</small> {{creative commons}}''
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|| ''Tower 57.<br><small>Picture by Jwinfred.</small> {{creative commons}}''
 
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|| ''Tower Snappy. <small>Picture by Eduardo Urdangaray.</small>''
 
|| ''Tower Snappy. <small>Picture by Eduardo Urdangaray.</small>''
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<br />''Tower 7. <small>photo by Mark Anderson</small>''
 
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''Sears'' is the most famous mail order house in the world since its Chicago building ''Sears Tower'' was the highest in the world for a certain period. In the U.S.A. it was the greatest mail-order and retail vendor of consumer goods. It was founded by Richard W. Sears in 1886. It started as reseller of watches in North Redwood, Minnesota. In 1887 Sears moved to Chicago and employed Alvah C. Roebuck as watch- and toolmaker. In 1893 Roebuck became partner in the company which then was renamed '''Sears, Roebuck & Co.'''. Like other great mail-order houses Sears had a house-brand for cameras, the '''Tower''' cameras which were all OEM products, made by different renowned camera makers of several countries.
+
''Sears'' is the most famous mail order house in the world since its Chicago building ''Sears Tower'' was the highest in the world for a certain period. In the U.S.A. it was the greatest mail-order and retail vendor of consumer goods. It was founded by Richard W. Sears in 1886, starting as a reseller of watches in North Redwood, Minnesota. In 1887 Sears moved to Chicago and employed Alvah C. Roebuck as watch- and toolmaker. In 1893 Roebuck became partner in the company which then was renamed '''Sears, Roebuck & Co.'''. Like other great mail-order houses Sears had a house-brand for cameras, the '''Tower''' cameras which were all OEM products, made by different renowned camera makers of several countries.
 +
 
 +
Several Tower cameras were also made by [[Bilora]]. '''Sears''' lenses for SLRs were made by [[Ricoh]]. [[Conley]] was a partner of Sears & Roebuck. In 1924 Conley was owned by Sears, and bought [[Seneca]]. But the Seneca brand disappeared in 1926. In 1980 Sears, Roebuck and Co. was restructured and rebranded to '''Sears''' Merchandise Group.
  
 
== Distributed cameras ==
 
== Distributed cameras ==
 
{|
 
{|
−
|| '''original camera''' || '''sold as'''
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Conley]] Model VII || [[Seroco Junior]]
+
|| '''Sears name''' || '''Comment''' || '''original camera/Manufacturer'''
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Conley Kewpie No. 3A]] box camera 3.25x5.25 || Sears 3A ([[Kodak V122 film]])
+
|| [[Ansco]] Marvel S-20 brownie type box|| || Made for and sold by Sears as an Ansco
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Probably Bilora]] box camera 120 || Tower Reflex 1
+
||  Sears  3A ||  [[Kodak V122 film]]|| [[Conley Kewpie No. 3A]] box camera 3.25x5.25
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Bilora Bella]] || Tower 5 ([[127 film]])
+
|| [[Sears Easi-Load FC 600]] ||[[126 film|126 cartridges]]
 +
|| [[Ricoh]] 126 C Automatic
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| Brownie type box - Germany (Bilora) || Tower 7 ([[120 film]])
+
||   Sears KS-1 ||  || [[Ricoh]] XR-6
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| Mfr? Germany || Tower 8 (box camera)
+
||   Sears Model 600 Easi load FC || [[Flashcubes|flash cube]] [[Instamatic]] || ???
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Mamiya]] RF 48mm f:2.8 coated || Tower 10A
+
||   Sears Model 65
 +
|| Perhaps Tower Reflex 65 with meter -  [[TLR]] also Tower 64, no meter
 +
|| [[Walz]]
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Mamiya]] 4B RF || Tower 10B
+
||  Sears Model 65 RF, Halinar 45mm f2.8    ||  || [[Halina]]
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| Mamiya-16 (16mm submini spy cam) || Tower 16
+
||   Sears RF 7 || || [[Ricoh]]
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Olympus 35-S  4.2cm  f2.8]] || Tower 18
+
|| [[Seroco Junior]] || || [[Conley]] Model VII
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Mamiya]] || Tower 18A
+
|| [[Tougodo 4×4 TLR|Tower 44]] || || [[Tougodo 4×4 TLR|Toyoca-44]]
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Mamiya]] 48mm f/2 || Tower 18B
+
||  Tower  5  ||[127 film]] || [[Bilora Bella]]
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Olympus Ace|Olympus Ace E]] || Tower 19
+
||  Tower  7  ||[[120 film]] || Brownie type box - Germany (Bilora)
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Olympus]] || Tower 20
+
||   Tower  8 (box camera) ||  || Mfr? Germany
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Mamiya]] RF 48mm f/1.7 || Tower 20B
+
||  Tower  10A ||  || [[Mamiya]] RF 48mm f:2.8 coated
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Asahiflex|Asahiflex IIA]] || Tower 22
+
||  Tower  10B ||  || [[Mamiya]] 4B RF
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Asahiflex|Asahiflex IA]] and [[Asahiflex|Asahiflex IIB]] || Tower 23
+
||   Tower  16 || || Mamiya-16 (16mm submini spy cam)
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Asahiflex|Asahiflex IIB]] || Tower 24
+
||  Tower  18 ||  || [[Olympus 35-S  4.2cm  f2.8]]
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Airesflex]] (Nikkor lens) || Tower 25 TLR
+
||  Tower  18A ||  || [[Mamiya]]
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Pentax|Asahi]] [[Pentax (original)]] and Pentax S || Tower 26 SLR
+
||   Tower  18B ||  || [[Mamiya]] 48mm f/2
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Pentax|Asahi]] Pentax K || Tower 29 SLR
+
||  Tower  19 ||  || [[Olympus Ace|Olympus Ace E]]
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Photina Reflex IIIb]] from [[Photavit]]-Werk GmbH, Nurnberg, Germany || Tower 30 TLR
+
||  Tower  20 ||  || [[Olympus]]
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| Mamiya Prismat NP [[Mamiya]]-Sekor lens, Exakta/Topcon mnt? || Tower 32B (c.1963)
+
||   Tower  20B ||  || [[Mamiya]] RF 48mm f/1.7
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Braun Paxette Reflex]] || Tower 33 Reflex
+
||  Tower  22 ||  || [[Asahiflex|Asahiflex IIA]]
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Braun]] || Tower 34 Reflex
+
||  Tower  24 ||  || [[Asahiflex|Asahiflex IIB]]
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Ansco]] || Tower 34 box camera (?)
+
||  Tower  25 TLR ||  || [[Airesflex]] (Nikkor lens)
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| Mamiya SLR || Tower 37
+
||   Tower  29 SLR || || [[Pentax|Asahi]] Pentax K
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| Mamiya Automatic 35 EEF || Tower 39 - very odd rectangular box with large bulb flash, also automatic
+
||   Tower  33 Reflex ||  || [[Braun Paxette Reflex]]
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| Mamiya Automatic 35 EEF || Sears 41 - very odd as Tower 39 (c.1961)
+
||   Tower  34      || box camera (?)||  || [[Ansco]]
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Tougodo 4×4 TLR|Toyoca-44]] || [[Tougodo 4×4 TLR|Tower 44]]
+
||   Tower  34 Reflex || || [[Braun]]
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Halma 44]] || Tower 44B Super Matic TLR
+
||  Tower  35 ||  || [[Nicca]] III-S
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Nicca]] III-S || Tower 35
+
||   Tower 37 || || Mamiya SLR
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Nicca]] 5L f/2 || Tower 45
+
||   Tower  39
 +
||very odd rectangular box with large bulb flash, also automatic; also sold as Sears 41 - (c.1961) || Mamiya Automatic 35 EEF
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Nicca]] f/1.4 || Tower 46
+
||  Tower  44B Super Matic TLR ||  || [[Halma 44]]
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Iloca]] Rapid, Vero Shutter, Cassar lens || Tower 50
+
||  Tower  45 ||  || [[Nicca]] 5L f/2
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Iloca Rapid B]] [[Steinheil]] Cassar lens 50mm f/2.8 made in Germany by Kamerawerke Wilhelm Witt, Hamburg, Germany || Tower 51 (not folding 120, but 35mm)LH film advance. Also RH film advance model, also knob advance version also called Tower 51
+
||  Tower  46 ||  || [[Nicca]] f/1.4
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| Conley Camera Company 1955 || Tower 51 (120 folding)some Sources indicate USC Rollex ca. 1950
+
||   Tower  50 || || [[Iloca]] Rapid, [[Vero]] Shutter, [[Steinheil|Cassar]] lens
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Iloca]] Rapid IIL || Tower 52
+
||   Tower  51
 +
||(120 [[folding]]) some Sources indicate [[United States Camera|USC]] Rollex ca. 1950
 +
|| [[Conley|Conley Camera Company]] 1955
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Pax|PAX M4]](?) || Tower 55
+
||   Tower  51
 +
||(not folding 120, but [[35mm]]) LH film advance. Also RH film advance model, also knob advance version also called Tower 51
 +
|| [[Iloca Rapid B]] [[Steinheil]] Cassar lens 50mm f/2.8 made in Germany by Kamerawerke Wilhelm Witt, Hamburg, Germany
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| Pax ([[Yamato]]) Same as Ruby without rf Japan, Color Luna Lens 45mm f3.5, or Yamato Pal Jr. || Tower 55B
+
||   Tower  52 ||  || [[Iloca]] Rapid IIL
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| Samoca 35 M-28 (AKA Hanimex A35) || Tower 57
+
||   Tower  55 ||  || [[Pax|PAX M4]](?)
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Samoca]] LE || Tower 57A
+
||   Tower  57 ||  || Samoca 35 M-28 (AKA Hanimex A35)
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Ising]] [[Pucky]] I || Tower 120 Flash
+
||  Tower  57A ||  || [[Samoca]] LE
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Busch 4x5 Pressman]] || Tower 4×5 Pressman
+
||   Tower 120 Flash ||  || [[Ising]] [[Pucky]] I
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Mamiya]] ?? || Tower 127
+
||  Tower 127 ||  || [[Mamiya]] ??
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Ricoh]] 126 C Automatic || [[Sears Easi-Load FC 600]]
+
||  Tower 23 ||  || [[Asahiflex|Asahiflex IA]] and [[Asahiflex|Asahiflex IIB]]
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Mamiya]] ??? || Tower Automatic 35
+
||  Tower 26 SLR ||  || [[Pentax|Asahi]] [[Pentax (original)]] and Pentax S
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Nicca]] III || Tower Type 3
+
||   Tower 30 TLR ||  || [[Photina Reflex IIIb]] from [[Photavit]]-Werk GmbH, Nurnberg, Germany
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Nicca]], [[Leotax]]? || Tower Type 3S
+
||   Tower 32B (c.1963) ||  || Mamiya Prismat NP [[Mamiya]]-Sekor lens, Exakta/Topcon mnt?
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Braun Super Colorette]] || Tower Colorette (RF)
+
||  Tower 4×5 Pressman ||  || [[Busch 4x5 Pressman]]
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Bilora Bella]] || Tower Synchroflash
+
||   Tower 55B ||  || [[Pax]] ([[Yamato]]) Same as Ruby without rf Japan, Color Luna Lens 45mm f3.5, or Yamato Pal Jr.
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| made in USA (mfr?) || Tower Skipper (127 brownie box size)
+
||   Tower Automatic 35 ||  || [[Mamiya]] ???
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Imperial]] Savoy || Tower Snappy
+
||   Tower Camflash 127      || see also: Tower,Sears 39 ||    [[Mamiya]]
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Imperial]] similar to Debonair || Tower Companion 1960
+
||  Tower Colorette (RF) ||  || [[Braun Super Colorette]]
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Iloca]] ?? || Tower Stereo
+
||  Tower Companion 1960 ||  || [[Imperial]] similar to [[Imperial Debonair|Debonair]]
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Ansco]] Marvel S-20 brownie type box || Made for, sold by Sears
+
||  Tower Reflex 1 ||  || [[Probably Bilora]] box camera 120
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Reflecta]] || Trumpfreflex
+
||   Tower Skipper          ||127 brownie box size, made in USA      || (mfr?)
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Walz]] || Sears Model 65 (Perhaps Tower Reflex 65 meter) TLR also Tower 64, no meter
+
||  Tower Snappy ||  || [[Imperial Savoy]]
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Mamiya]] || Tower Camflash 127  (see also: Tower,Sears 39)
+
||  Tower Stereo ||  || [[Iloca]] ??
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| ??? || Sears Model 600 Easi load FC (flash Cube) Instamatic
+
||   Tower Synchroflash || || [[Bilora Bella]]
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Ricoh]] XR-6 || Sears KS-1
+
||  Tower Type 3 ||  || [[Nicca]] III
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Ricoh]] || Sears RF 7
+
||   Tower Type 3S ||  || [[Nicca]], [[Leotax]]?
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Halina]] || Sears Model 65 RF, Halinar 45mm f2.8
+
||  Trumpfreflex || || [[Reflecta]] (Richter Reflecta)
 
|}
 
|}
−
 
−
Several Tower cameras were also made by [[Bilora]]. '''Sears''' lenses for SLRs were made by [[Ricoh]]. [[Conley]] was a partner of Sears & Roebuck. In 1924 Conley was owned by Sears, and bought [[Seneca]]. But the Seneca brand disappeared in 1926. In 1980 Sears, Roebuck and Co. was restructured and rebranded to '''Sears''' Merchandise Group.
 
  
 
==Links==
 
==Links==

Revision as of 05:23, 8 September 2009

1235322019_c0e0af54fa_m.jpg
Tower 120 Flash. Picture by John Kratz. (Image rights)
2638287535_5a39724f45_m.jpg
Tower 57.
Picture by Jwinfred. (Image rights)
2735265195_7a2444ef8f_m.jpg
Tower Camflash 127. Picture by John Kratz. (Image rights)
1536006420_1966ddf214_m.jpg
Tower Snappy. Picture by Eduardo Urdangaray.
3897676470_331b0e3b82_m.jpg


Tower 7. photo by Mark Anderson

Sears is the most famous mail order house in the world since its Chicago building Sears Tower was the highest in the world for a certain period. In the U.S.A. it was the greatest mail-order and retail vendor of consumer goods. It was founded by Richard W. Sears in 1886, starting as a reseller of watches in North Redwood, Minnesota. In 1887 Sears moved to Chicago and employed Alvah C. Roebuck as watch- and toolmaker. In 1893 Roebuck became partner in the company which then was renamed Sears, Roebuck & Co.. Like other great mail-order houses Sears had a house-brand for cameras, the Tower cameras which were all OEM products, made by different renowned camera makers of several countries.

Several Tower cameras were also made by Bilora. Sears lenses for SLRs were made by Ricoh. Conley was a partner of Sears & Roebuck. In 1924 Conley was owned by Sears, and bought Seneca. But the Seneca brand disappeared in 1926. In 1980 Sears, Roebuck and Co. was restructured and rebranded to Sears Merchandise Group.

Distributed cameras

Sears name Comment original camera/Manufacturer
Ansco Marvel S-20 brownie type box Made for and sold by Sears as an Ansco
Sears 3A Kodak V122 film Conley Kewpie No. 3A box camera 3.25x5.25
Sears Easi-Load FC 600 126 cartridges Ricoh 126 C Automatic
Sears KS-1 Ricoh XR-6
Sears Model 600 Easi load FC flash cube Instamatic ???
Sears Model 65 Perhaps Tower Reflex 65 with meter - TLR also Tower 64, no meter Walz
Sears Model 65 RF, Halinar 45mm f2.8 Halina
Sears RF 7 Ricoh
Seroco Junior Conley Model VII
Tower 44 Toyoca-44
Tower 5 [127 film]] Bilora Bella
Tower 7 120 film Brownie type box - Germany (Bilora)
Tower 8 (box camera) Mfr? Germany
Tower 10A Mamiya RF 48mm f:2.8 coated
Tower 10B Mamiya 4B RF
Tower 16 Mamiya-16 (16mm submini spy cam)
Tower 18 Olympus 35-S 4.2cm f2.8
Tower 18A Mamiya
Tower 18B Mamiya 48mm f/2
Tower 19 Olympus Ace E
Tower 20 Olympus
Tower 20B Mamiya RF 48mm f/1.7
Tower 22 Asahiflex IIA
Tower 24 Asahiflex IIB
Tower 25 TLR Airesflex (Nikkor lens)
Tower 29 SLR Asahi Pentax K
Tower 33 Reflex Braun Paxette Reflex
Tower 34 box camera (?) Ansco
Tower 34 Reflex Braun
Tower 35 Nicca III-S
Tower 37 Mamiya SLR
Tower 39 very odd rectangular box with large bulb flash, also automatic; also sold as Sears 41 - (c.1961) Mamiya Automatic 35 EEF
Tower 44B Super Matic TLR Halma 44
Tower 45 Nicca 5L f/2
Tower 46 Nicca f/1.4
Tower 50 Iloca Rapid, Vero Shutter, Cassar lens
Tower 51 (120 folding) some Sources indicate USC Rollex ca. 1950 Conley Camera Company 1955
Tower 51 (not folding 120, but 35mm) LH film advance. Also RH film advance model, also knob advance version also called Tower 51 Iloca Rapid B Steinheil Cassar lens 50mm f/2.8 made in Germany by Kamerawerke Wilhelm Witt, Hamburg, Germany
Tower 52 Iloca Rapid IIL
Tower 55 PAX M4(?)
Tower 57 Samoca 35 M-28 (AKA Hanimex A35)
Tower 57A Samoca LE
Tower 120 Flash Ising Pucky I
Tower 127 Mamiya ??
Tower 23 Asahiflex IA and Asahiflex IIB
Tower 26 SLR Asahi Pentax (original) and Pentax S
Tower 30 TLR Photina Reflex IIIb from Photavit-Werk GmbH, Nurnberg, Germany
Tower 32B (c.1963) Mamiya Prismat NP Mamiya-Sekor lens, Exakta/Topcon mnt?
Tower 4×5 Pressman Busch 4x5 Pressman
Tower 55B Pax (Yamato) Same as Ruby without rf Japan, Color Luna Lens 45mm f3.5, or Yamato Pal Jr.
Tower Automatic 35 Mamiya ???
Tower Camflash 127 see also: Tower,Sears 39 Mamiya
Tower Colorette (RF) Braun Super Colorette
Tower Companion 1960 Imperial similar to Debonair
Tower Reflex 1 Probably Bilora box camera 120
Tower Skipper 127 brownie box size, made in USA (mfr?)
Tower Snappy Imperial Savoy
Tower Stereo Iloca ??
Tower Synchroflash Bilora Bella
Tower Type 3 Nicca III
Tower Type 3S Nicca, Leotax?
Trumpfreflex Reflecta (Richter Reflecta)

Links

Companies of Chicago (Illinois)
Adams & Westlake | Central Camera Co. | American Advertising and Research Co. | Bernard | Burke & James | Busch | Calumet | Candid | Chicago Aerial | Chicago Camera Co. | Chicago Ferrotype Company | Deardorff | De Vry | Drucker | Galter | Geiss | Herold | Imperial | Kemper | Lennor Engineering Co. | Metropolitan Industries | Monarch | Montgomery Ward | Pho-Tak | QRS Company | Rolls | Sans & Streiffe | Sears | Seymour | Spartus | The Camera Man | United States Camera Co. | Western Camera Manufacturing Co. | Yale | Zar | Zenith
Chicago in depth: The Chicago Cluster‎, a bakelite trust?
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