Difference between revisions of "Sears"
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<br />''Tower 7. <small>photo by Mark Anderson</small>'' | <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, 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. | + | '''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. | 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 == | ||
| − | {| | + | {|rules="rows" |
|- | |- | ||
| − | || '''Sears name''' || '''Comment''' || ''' | + | || '''Sears name''' || '''Comment''' || '''Original camera/Manufacturer''' |
|- | |- | ||
|| [[Ansco]] Marvel S-20 brownie type box|| || Made for and sold by Sears as an Ansco | || [[Ansco]] Marvel S-20 brownie type box|| || Made for and sold by Sears as an Ansco | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | || Sears 3A || | + | || Sears 3A || Kodak V122 film || [[Conley Kewpie No. 3A]] box camera 3.25x5.25 |
|- | |- | ||
|| [[Sears Easi-Load FC 600]] ||[[126 film|126 cartridges]] | || [[Sears Easi-Load FC 600]] ||[[126 film|126 cartridges]] | ||
| Line 45: | Line 45: | ||
|| Sears Model 65 RF, Halinar 45mm f2.8 || || [[Halina]] | || Sears Model 65 RF, Halinar 45mm f2.8 || || [[Halina]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | || Sears RF 7 | + | || Sears RF 7 || || [[Ricoh]] |
|- | |- | ||
| − | || [[Seroco Junior]] | + | || [[Seroco Junior]] || || [[Conley]] Model VII |
|- | |- | ||
|| [[Tougodo 4×4 TLR|Tower 44]] || || [[Tougodo 4×4 TLR|Toyoca-44]] | || [[Tougodo 4×4 TLR|Tower 44]] || || [[Tougodo 4×4 TLR|Toyoca-44]] | ||
| Line 55: | Line 55: | ||
|| Tower 7 ||[[120 film]] || Brownie type box - Germany (Bilora) | || Tower 7 ||[[120 film]] || Brownie type box - Germany (Bilora) | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | || Tower 8 | + | || Tower 8 || box camera || Mfr? Germany |
|- | |- | ||
| − | || Tower 10A | + | || Tower 10A || || [[Mamiya]] RF 48mm f:2.8 coated |
|- | |- | ||
| − | || Tower 10B | + | || Tower 10B || || [[Mamiya]] 4B RF |
|- | |- | ||
| − | || Tower 16 | + | || Tower 16 ||16mm submini spy cam || Mamiya-16 |
|- | |- | ||
| − | || Tower 18 | + | || Tower 18 || || [[Olympus 35-S 4.2cm f2.8]] |
|- | |- | ||
| − | || Tower 18A | + | || Tower 18A || || [[Mamiya]] |
|- | |- | ||
| − | || Tower 18B | + | || Tower 18B || || [[Mamiya]] 48mm f/2 |
|- | |- | ||
| − | || Tower 19 | + | || Tower 19 || || [[Olympus Ace|Olympus Ace E]] |
|- | |- | ||
| − | || Tower 20 | + | || Tower 20 || || [[Olympus]] |
|- | |- | ||
| − | || Tower 20B | + | || Tower 20B || || [[Mamiya]] RF 48mm f/1.7 |
|- | |- | ||
| − | || Tower 22 | + | || Tower 22 || || [[Asahiflex|Asahiflex IIA]] |
|- | |- | ||
| − | || Tower 24 | + | || Tower 24 || || [[Asahiflex|Asahiflex IIB]] |
|- | |- | ||
| − | || Tower 25 TLR | + | || Tower 25 TLR || || [[Airesflex]] (Nikkor lens) |
|- | |- | ||
| − | || Tower 29 SLR | + | || Tower 29 SLR || || [[Pentax|Asahi]] Pentax K |
|- | |- | ||
| − | || Tower 33 Reflex | + | || Tower 33 Reflex || || [[Braun Paxette Reflex]] |
|- | |- | ||
|| Tower 34 || box camera (?)|| || [[Ansco]] | || Tower 34 || box camera (?)|| || [[Ansco]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | || Tower 34 Reflex | + | || Tower 34 Reflex || || [[Braun]] |
|- | |- | ||
| − | || Tower 35 | + | || Tower 35 || || [[Nicca]] III-S |
|- | |- | ||
| − | || Tower 37 | + | || Tower 37 || || [[Mamiya]] SLR |
|- | |- | ||
|| Tower 39 | || Tower 39 | ||
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|| Tower 44B Super Matic TLR || || [[Halma 44]] | || Tower 44B Super Matic TLR || || [[Halma 44]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | || Tower 45 | + | || Tower 45 || || [[Nicca]] 5L f/2 |
|- | |- | ||
| − | || Tower 46 | + | || Tower 46 || || [[Nicca]] f/1.4 |
|- | |- | ||
| − | || Tower 50 | + | || Tower 50 || || [[Iloca]] Rapid, [[Vero]] Shutter, [[Steinheil|Cassar]] lens |
|- | |- | ||
|| Tower 51 | || Tower 51 | ||
| Line 144: | Line 144: | ||
|| Tower Companion 1960 || || [[Imperial]] similar to [[Imperial Debonair|Debonair]] | || Tower Companion 1960 || || [[Imperial]] similar to [[Imperial Debonair|Debonair]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | || Tower Reflex 1 | + | || Tower Reflex 1 ||box camera 120 || Probably [[Bilora]] |
|- | |- | ||
| − | || Tower Skipper | + | || Tower Skipper ||127 brownie box size, made in USA || (mfr?) |
|- | |- | ||
| − | || Tower Snappy | + | || Tower Snappy || || [[Imperial Savoy]] |
|- | |- | ||
| − | || Tower Stereo | + | || Tower Stereo || || [[Iloca]] ?? |
|- | |- | ||
|| Tower Synchroflash || || [[Bilora Bella]] | || Tower Synchroflash || || [[Bilora Bella]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | || Tower Type 3 | + | || Tower Type 3 || || [[Nicca]] III |
|- | |- | ||
| − | || Tower Type 3S | + | || Tower Type 3S || || [[Nicca]], [[Leotax]]? |
|- | |- | ||
| − | || Trumpfreflex | + | || Trumpfreflex || || [[Reflecta]] (Richter Reflecta) |
|} | |} | ||
Revision as of 05:36, 8 September 2009
|
| Tower 120 Flash. Picture by John Kratz. (Image rights) |
|
| Tower 57. Picture by Jwinfred. (Image rights) |
|
| Tower Camflash 127. Picture by John Kratz. (Image rights) |
|
| Tower Snappy. Picture by Eduardo Urdangaray. |
|
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 | 16mm submini spy cam | Mamiya-16 | |
| 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 | box camera 120 | Probably Bilora | |
| 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
- Sears Cameras at www.collection-appareils.fr
- Sears camera manuals at www.orphancameras.com
- [1] at www.craigcamera.com
| 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? |
