Paris (box)

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Le Paris is a crude and rare box camera for exposures on 4x5 cm plates or sheet film. Two examples of it have been seen in auction sales.[1][2] The body of the camera is made of two boxes in green card, with a leather-effect finish; one, carrying the lens and shutter, simply slides into the other. The corners of the outer box are reinforced with metal strips. The shutter is a simple hinged plate under spring tension, so there is only 'B' shutter function. The lens is a simple meniscus, fitted behind a small aperture in the card body. 'Le Paris' is painted on one side of the camera, which is otherwise unmarked. There is no film or plate holder; apparently plates are inserted one at a time, presumably in a dark bag. The Paris is similar, therefore, to the Japanese Adam box camera, and of the same size.

The auctioneer's notes on the example sold at Westlicht identify the camera as Italian, attribute it to 'DiMichele Clemente', and date it to about 1910.

McKeown lists Le Parisien, which from the description is almost certainly the same camera.[3] However, this is marked Le Parisien. Perfectioné, Deposé, and so seems likely actually to be French.



Notes

  1. Le Paris sold at the 24th Westlicht Photographica Auction, on 23 November 2013.
  2. Le Paris (report at the Antiques Reporter site), sold at the Monthly Toy Sale by Leonard Joel on 15 November 2012.
  3. 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). p772.