Maison des Magasins Réunis Détective France N° 9 |
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Manufactured or assembled in France from (Circa) 1904 to (After) 1904.
Index of rarity in France: Rare (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 5811
See the complete technical specifications
Chronology of cameras Maison des Magasins Reunis
Les Magasins Réunis was a large department store founded by Antoine Corbin in 1856 in Nancy, France. Soon, other branches were established in Troyes, Paris, and the eastern part of France. These were general department stores similar to the major Parisian department stores. The architecture of the Nancy store closely resembled that of its Parisian counterparts, complete with a dome in the corners.
Unfortunately, the Nancy store was completely destroyed by a fire in 1916. It was later rebuilt in a more modern style. Today, the premises on Place Thiers are occupied by the "Le Printemps" department store.
The Maison des Magasins Réunis sold detective cameras, either under a generic name, likely unique to Magasins Réunis, such as "France," or under the actual brand and model names. Advertisements found at the end of the 1904 catalog indicate that companies like Soulé (page 52), Gustave Lepage (page 5), and P. Chautard (page 57) sold their cameras at MMR. Some of these advertisements mention model names, but these names are not found elsewhere in the catalog. In the case of Lepage, it is explicitly stated that this manufacturer did not handle sales directly and only dealt with retailers. Therefore, the catalog would present only their "exclusive" offerings.
In 1904, MMR detective cameras were divided into three series:
Plates | Format | Lens | Viewfinders | ||
"The Farfadets" were low-end detective cameras made of tulipwood. | |||||
101 | 6 | 4,5 x 6 | Rapide simili-achromatique | 1 | Black canvas covering |
102 | 6 | 6,5 x 9 | " | 1 | Black canvas covering |
103 | 12 | 6,5 x 9 | " | 2 | Black canvas covering |
104 | 6 | 9 x12 | " | 2 | Black canvas covering |
105 | 12 | 9 x 12 | " | 2 | Black canvas covering |
106 | 6 | 6,5 x 9 | Simili-achromatique | 2 | Pegamoïd covering Nickel-plated fittings 2 Congress screw |
107 | 12 | 6,5 x 9 | " | Pegamoïd covering 2 Congress screw |
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108 | 6 | 9 x 12 | " | 2 | Pegamoïd covering 2 Congress screw |
109 | 12 | 9 x 12 | " | 2 | Pegamoïd covering 2 Congress screw |
The "France" cameras were higher-end detective cameras, covered in black morocco leather, featuring a P (Time) and I (Instant) shutter. They had two viewfinders, five diaphragms, and a plate counter. | |||||
France N° 1 | 6 | 6,5 x 9 | Achromatique extra-rapide | 2 | |
France N° 2 | 12 | 6,5 x 9 | " | 2 | |
France N° 3 | 6 | 8 x 8 | " | 2 | |
France N° 4 | 6 | 9 x 12 | " | 2 | |
France N° 5 | 12 | 9 x 12 | " | 2 | |
France N° 6 | 12 | 6,5 x 9 | " | 2 | Iris Diaphragm Portrait lens Opening front face |
France N° 7 | 12 | 9 x 12 | " | 2 | Iris Diaphragm Portrait lens Opening front face |
France N° 8 | 12 | 9 x 12 | Rectiligne extra-rapide | 2 | Iris Diaphragm Helical focusing |
France N° 9 | 12 | 9 x 12 | Roussel | 2 | Iris Diaphragm Helical focusing |
The "Corcoran" camera stands alone in its series due to its unusual 4 x 4 format. It appears to be part of a complete kit that includes processing chemistry. __________
![Maison des Magasins Reunis Détective France N° 9](../../gestion_catalogue/images/1414311765.jpg )
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