Toyo Seiko
Toyo Seiko was perhaps a Japanese company. The engraving TOYO SEIKO Co. is found on the top housing of the Rolex 35 III, a 35mm viewfinder camera. The Rolex TLR is attributed to Toyo Seiko by Sugiyama, probably because of the name similarity, but this is unconfirmed.[1]
The actual Japanese name is perhaps Tōyō Seikō (東洋精光), meaning "Oriental Precision Optics". One source says the company is the same as Tōyō Seiki Kōgaku (Toyo Seiko would be an abbreviation) but this is unconfirmed.[2] It seems that Tōyō Seiki Kōgaku became Cosmo Camera Seisakusho in 1955 and made the Cosmo 35, Micronta 35 and Rolex 35, thus using the name "Rolex" too, but this is perhaps a coincidence.
Two companies currently (2007) exist with a similar name. Tōyō Seikō K.K. (東洋精工㈱), founded in 1958, only took that name in 1993.[3] Tōyō Seikō K.K. (東洋精鋼㈱) was founded in 1975.[4]
Notes
- ↑ Sugiyama, item 2251; McKeown, p. 933.
- ↑ This page at Japan Family Camera.
- ↑ Company history of Tōyō Seikō.
- ↑ Company profile of Tōyō Seikō.
Bibliography
- 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).
- Sugiyama, Kōichi (杉山浩一); Naoi, Hiroaki (直井浩明); Bullock, John R. The Collector's Guide to Japanese Cameras. 国産カメラ図鑑 (Kokusan kamera zukan). Tokyo: Asahi Sonorama, 1985. ISBN 4-257-03187-5.
