|
MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS (owned?)
ASHREH BINOCULARS,
(handled)
TELESAR BINOCULARS
PRIMARY
SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
NEW YORK STATE DIVISION OF CORPORATIONS, 1970? ASHREH SUPPLY CATALOG
|
|
Ashreh Supply Corporation of 425 Broadway, NY, NY. Filed for incorporation in New York on Oct 7 1964, and status is listed as active. They distributed
ASREH BINOCULARS
and
TELESAR
BINOCULARS
, but there do not seem to be any US trademarks for them this collection holds a 1970 Ashreh catalog. To view it click
RESEARCH MATERIALS #1
.
|
|
USA
MARKET |
|
Japanese External Reverse Porro Prism Binoculars.
VIRTUAL MUSEUM
|
|
MARK OHNO |
|
Please note: a great amount of effort has been made to try to be as accurate as possible. But
information about distribution tends to be scarce and fragmentary, and errors or misinterpretation are possible and/or probable.
Please keep in mind that any errors are unintentional, and will be cheerfully corrected upon notification
And that this is a not for profit attempt to document otherwise unavailable aspects of binocular history by optics enthusiasts, for the benefit of optics enthusiasts.
The distinction between Japanese manufacturers, exporters, and distributors and importing country wholesale and retail distribution may be blurred, so I have been generous about inclusion. |
|
SEIWA KŌGAKU KŌGYŌ KABUSHIKI-GEISHA
/SEIWA KOGAKU LTD./
清和光学株式会社
(JAPAN) |
|
Seiwa Kōgaku Kōgyō Kabushiki-Geisha was a prolific Japanese assembling manufacturer of miniature binoculars. I have observed 55 miniature binoculars brand names for which Seiwa made binoculars, including those of well known importer brands such as Sears,Tasco, Binolux, Scope, and Selsi, and there are presumably more brands. Binoculars manufactured by Seiwa are found in every geographic market where Japanese miniature binoculars are found. I believe that
PETLUX
BINOCULARS
was the brand used on those binoculars that Seiwa distributed on it’s own behalf. |
|
MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS:
(believed using/owned)
PETLUX BINOCULARS
PRIMARY
SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
DIRECT OBSERVATION
|
|
FRED MEYER, INC.
(USA) |
|
MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS:
(U.S. TM owner)
GOLD CUP BINOCULARS
PRIMARY
SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
US PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS OFFICE, WIKIPEDIA
|
|
Fred Meyer Inc is a U.S. regional retail chain of one stop department stores which was founded in 1922 and has stores located throughout Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Alaska. The company held US trade mark # 812978 for
GOLD CUP
for binoculars
and for telescopes and microscopes
from Aug 1966 to 1989, with first use claimed in 1952, and they presumably sold
GOLD CUP BINOCULARS
through their retail stores. |
|
Masel Supply Co. Corp, OF 128 32nd St., Brooklyn, New York USA (and other addresses) is observed to have distributed a variety of photographic equipment items (film loaders, lenses, extension tubes, filters, photo mounts), under the “Telesar” and also the “Telesor” brand names. A number of Telesar photo equipment boxes were marked “ Imported exclusively by Masel Supply Co. Corp” suggesting some proprietary interest in the brand, and suggesting that Masel imported the
TELESAR BINOCULARS
.
|
|
MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS (owned/ imported?)
TELESAR BINOCULARS
PRIMARY
SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
VARIOUS AUCTIONS AND BLOGS, BOX MARKINGS
|
|
FUJI KŌGAKU KIKAI SEISAKUSHO/
富士光学器械製作所
(
JAPAN)
.
FUJI
KŌGAKU
K
Ō
GY
Ō
K.K.
/
富士光学工業㈱
/
FUJI OPTICAL INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
FUJIKŌ SHŌJI K.K.
/
富士光商事株式会社
|
|
MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS:
(owned?)
RACE BINOCULARS
(perhaps)
FUJI STARLIT BINOCULARS
PRIMARY
SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
CAMERAPEDIA
|
|
Fuji Kōgaku Kikai Seisakusho
/
富士光学器械製作所
was formed around 1936. From around 1938 to until at least 1944 the company was called
Fuji Kōgaku Kōgyō K.K.
/
富士光学工業㈱
/
Fuji Optical Industries Co., Ltd. A related but separate trading and distribution company,
Fujikō Shōji K.K.
(
富士光商事株式会社
)
was formed around 1941. These companies are not related to the better known
Fuji Shashin Film K.K.
(
富士写真
フィルム㈱
/
Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd., which also produces Fujinon binoculars. Fuji
Kōgaku distributed it’s binoculars in the USA in some quantity around 1938, through L. Oppleman Inc. in NYC, and perhaps other importers. Early model
RACE
BINOCULARS
carried only “Race” brand markings, and later ones carried both the “Fuji Kogaku” logo and the “Race”brand marking. Fuji Kōgaku is believed to have still been active in the occupied Japan period. Fuji Starlit binoculars from the occupied Japan period may be their product, but this is not certain. It is also unclear which company was connected to post occupation Fuji miniature binoculars such as the 7x25 model.
|
|
USA
MARKET |
|
Tochihara Optical Co (
栃原光学株式会社)
was a prolific Japanese assembling manufacturer of miniature binoculars. I have observed 27 miniature binoculars brand names that Tochihara made binoculars for, including those of well known importers, and there are presumably others. I believe that
TOCON BINOCULARS
was the brand used on those binoculars which Tochihara
distributed on it’s own behalf. |
|
TOCHIHARA OPTICAL CO/
栃原光学株式会社
(
JAPAN)
|
|
USA
MARKET |
|
MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS (believed owned):
TOCON BINOCULARS
PRIMARY
SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
OBSERVATION
|
|
JASON,
JASON EMPIRE INC.,CARSON COMPANIES, INC. (USA) |
|
MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS: (U.S. TM owner):
EMPIRE BINOCULARS
(U.S. TM owner)
JASON BINOCULARS
CONVENTIONAL BINOCULAR BRANDS: ABOVE PLUS
JASON EMPIRE BINOCULARS
PRIMARY
SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
OPTICS REVIEWER, MISSOURI SECRETARY OF STATE
,
U.S. PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS OFFICE
|
|
The company Jake and Son was formed in 1947 in Missouri in the USA as an importer of binoculars, pearls, and cigarettes: supplying jewelry stores and catalog showrooms. The name was soon changed to “Jason”, and was based in Kansas City, and used the brand name “Empire” on their binoculars, telescopes and other optical products. Jake Levin held US trademark #71639059 for the logo Jason for binoculars from Dec 1952, reassigned to Jake Levin & Son Inc. in 1958, then to Jason Empire Inc in 1970, then to Bausch & Lomb Inc in 1992. Similarly Jake Levin & Son Inc held US trademark #72164856 for Empire for binoculars March 1963, reassigned to Jason Empire Inc in 1971, with 4 later reassignments. Jason Empire Inc then Bushnell Corp.held Canadian trademark TMA173229 for Empire for binoculars 1970 2001. And Jason Empire held Australian trademark 417212 1984-1991.
|
|
USA
MARKET |
|
KALIMAR INC., KALIMAR INTERNATIONAL CORP
. (USA) |
|
Robert Lipsitz formed Kalimar in 1952, and it was incorporated in Missouri USA as Kalimar, Inc. on 6/9/1954. Kalimar imported and distributed camera equipment such as cameras, lenses, flash units, camera bags, filters etc., much of it branded as “Kalimar” and some branded as “Kent”. Kalimar also imported and distributed binoculars, telescopes, microscopes and optical products under the Kalimar brand, and possibly the Kent brand. Robert Lipsitz also formed Kalimar International which was incorporated in Missouri on 8/7/1972. Tiffen acquired the active company in 1999. Kalimar filed for a US trademark for Kalimar for cameras and accessories in 1954, for a logotype for cameras in 1954, and held US trademark #74321727 (logotype incorporating “Kalmiar) for including binoculars in 1992. Kalimar Inc. held Canadian trademark #TMA108197 for binoculars, telescopes and many types of camera equipment from 10/1957 to 2017. For catalog click
RESEARCH MATERIALS #1
(Kalimar) |
|
MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS: (owned)
KALIMAR BINOCULARS
(probably)
KENT BINOCULARS
CONVENTIONAL BINOCULAR BRANDS:
KALIMAR BINOCULARS
PRIMARY
SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
OPTICS REVIEWER, MISSOURI SECRETARY OF STATE
,
U.S. PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS OFFICE, CAMERAPEDIA
|
|
AKEBONO OPTICAL CO., LTD.
(JAPAN)
AKEBONO KŌGAKU KŌGYŌ
AKEBONO KŌGYŌ SEISAKUJO/
曙光学工業
|
|
MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS (believed owned?):
LUCIFER BINOCULARS
PRIMARY
SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
OBSERVATION
|
|
Since eight out of eight observed powers and variations of “Lucifer” brand binoculars from both the US and Swedish markets are either prominently marked on a prism cover “AKC” or else carry the JB-69 manufacturer’s code for Akebono Kogaku Kogyo, I therefore believe that
LUCIFER BINOCULARS
was the brand used on those binoculars which Akebono distributed on it’s own behalf. Akebono was a prolific Japanese assembling manufacturer of miniature binoculars. I have observed 13 miniature binoculars brand names for which Akebono made binoculars , including those of well known importer brands such as Selsi and Binolux , and there are presumably similar examples I have not yet encountered.
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|
USA
MARKET |
|
USA
MARKET |
|
EUROPEAN
MARKET |
|
H. OGINO & CO, LTD.
(JAPAN)
EASTERN MERCHANDISE TRADING CO., LTD
|
|
USA
MARKET |
|
MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS (TM owner):
MAGNON BINOCULARS
PRIMARY
SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
INTERNATIONAL TRADE NAMES DICTIONARY/GALE RESEARCH/ 1988, H. OGINO & CO WEBSITE
|
|
In October 1952 the Japanese firm Eastern Merchandise Trading Co, Ltd. was formed in Yokohama as a retail camera business and general merchandise export firm, and the retail firm Tokyo Airport Camera was formed at Haneda Airport in 1954. In 1955 Eastern was terminated and H. Ogino & Co., Ltd. was formed as a successor. From 1958 export of medical equipment, movie and 35mm cameras, and projectors was emphasized. In the 1960’s two factories were acquired and by then exports were using the Magnon brand name, and also the Cinekon brand name, and from the 1970’s Ogino exported ophthalmic instruments under the Magnon brand. Ogino Boeki Co Ltd Corp. which is presumably a variation on the name , held a US trademark for Magnon for camera goods 1970-1990. H Ogino held Singapore trademark T7049102D for “
MAGNON
” for binoculars from 5/1970 expired in 1991. And Ogino Boeki Kabushiki Kaisha held Israeli trademark #47128 for MAGNON for binoculars, opera glasses and telescopes 1979-?
|
|
S. ISHIMITSU & CO.
(JAPAN)
|
|
MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS (believed involved or owned);
TOSCO BINOCULARS
PRIMARY
SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
INTERNATIONAL TRADE NAMES DICTIONARY/GALE RESEARCH/ 1988
|
|
Gale Research lists the Japanese firm S. Ishimitsu & Co Ltd Japan of 2-3-10 Kontoo-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 651, Japan as the exporter/supplier of Tosco brand photographic products, as well as other brands. It is possible that S. Ishimitsu was involved in the export or distribution of Tosco miniature and full size binoculars. Also, the 1959 list of Japanese binoculars manufacturers lists JB111 as Tosco Co., Ltd.
|
|
T
OKO KŌGAKU CO, LTD.
(JAPAN)
|
|
USA
MARKET |
|
USA
MARKET |
|
MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS (believed involved or owned ):
TOKO BINOCULARS
PRIMARY
SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
INTERNATIONAL TRADE NAMES DICTIONARY/GALE RESEARCH/ 1988
|
|
Gale Research lists the Japanese firm Toko Kogaku Ltd. of 2-5-1 Minami-Tokiwadai, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 174 Japan as the exporter/supplier of Toko brand photographic equipment. It is possible that Toko Kogaku was involved in the export or distribution of Toko miniature binoculars.
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|
KYOEI SHOJI CO., LTD.
(JAPAN)
|
|
MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS (believed involved or owned ):
AURORA BINOCULARS
PRIMARY
SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
INTERNATIONAL TRADE NAMES DICTIONARY/GALE RESEARCH/ 1988
|
|
Gale Research lists the Japanese firm Kyoei Shoji Co., Ltd. of 1-17-6 Ebisu-Minami, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 105 Japan as the exporter/supplier of Aurora brand photographic equipment. It is possible that Kyoei Shoji Co was involved in the export or distribution of
AURORA
miniature binoculars. Also the 1959 list of binoculars manufacturers lists JB12 Orora Kogaku Co Ltd/ Aurora Kogaku Co Ltd.
|
|
MINATO SHOKAI CO., LTD.
(JAPAN)
|
|
MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS (believed involved or owned ):
MINETTE BINOCULARS, GOLD STAR BINOCULARS
PRIMARY
SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
INTERNATIONAL TRADE NAMES DICTIONARY/GALE RESEARCH/ 1988, OBSERVATION OF GOLD STAR BINOCULARS MARKED MINETTE
|
|
Gale Research lists the Japanese firm Minato Shokai Co Ltd. Of 4-49 Sumiyoshi-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama 231 Japan as the exporter/supplier of Minette brand photographic products. It is possible that Minato Shokai Co., Ltd. was involved in the export or distribution of
MINETTE
miniature binoculars.
|
|
USA
MARKET |
|
USA
MARKET |
|
MINOX GmbH
(GERMANY)
MINOX USA (USA)
|
|
MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS: (owned)
MINOX BINOCULARS
CONVENTIONAL BINOCULAR BRANDS:
MINOX BINOCULARS
PRIMARY
SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
WIKIPEDIA
|
|
Minox GmbH, founded in 1945, is a distributor of optical and photographic products under it’s
MINOX
brand name. It marketed 6x15 and 10x20 miniature pattern binoculars in the recent past. Minox predecessor entities date to 1922, and were associated with sub miniature film cameras. Minox USA, located in Meriden New Hampshire, is the US importer/distributor.
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|
PHOTOPIA LTD., PHOTOPIA INTERNATIONAL LTD. (UK) JAPANESE CAMERAS LTD. (UK)JOHNSON PHOTOPIA, NORTH STAFFS PHOTOGRAPIC SERVICES,
(UK)
|
|
MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS: (handled)
ZENITH BINOCULARS
BINOCULARS BRANDS OWNED:
EXCELLSIOR BINOCULARS, CENTURY BINOCULARS, STEINHEIL BINOCULARS EDIXA ?, MINETTE?
PRIMARY
SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
“FROM REFUGEE TO OBE” by Charles Strasser, PHOTOPIA LIMITED COMPANY HISTORY on Photomemoribilia.co.uk , UK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE
|
|
Originally formed in the UK in 1949, “Charles Strasser, Newcastle Studios” started importing cameras and by 1951 was trading as North Staffs Photographic Services. Photopia Ltd. was founded May 1, 1957 as a successor co. Photopia and related entities importer Japanese Cameras Ltd (founded May 8 1957 to import Japanese cameras under the UK Japanese camera quotas introduced in 1957). Photopia International Ltd. was founded Nov 12 1962 as an umbrella public company. These companies were UK importers and distributors of camera photographic and some optical equipment such as
ZENITH BINOCULARS
(ca 1978) and Atlas and Hoya binoculars, as well as photo finishing, and retail sales under various company owned entities such as Pauls Plus Ltd formed in 1964, wholesaler Mayfair Photographic Supplies purchased in 1966, and Plustronics Ltd formed in 1973 as an electronic
s retailer. Exporter Minato Shokai Co Ltd was one of the Japanese exporters supplying Photopia. Photopia held UK trademark 947479 for “
EXCELSIOR
” for binoculars 1969-2004, and UK trademark # 957981 for “
CENTURY
” for binoculars 1970- 2006, and UK trademark # 1048106 for “
STEINHEIL
” for binoculars 1975-2006. Photopia held UK trademarks for “Edixa”(1954-2003) and “Minette”(1961-1996)
for photo products, and names appear on binoculars, but connection with is unclear.
|
|
USA
MARKET |
|
CSTAR OPTICS INC
. (USA)
|
|
MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS: (owned )
CSTAR OPTICS BINOCULARS
PRIMARY
SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
UNITED STATES PATENT & TRADEMARK OFFICE
|
|
US trademark #75442050 for “
CSTAR OPTICS
” as a logo for optical devices telescopes, spotting scopes monoculars was held by CSTAR Optics Inc of 365-A Cloverleaf Dr Baldwin Park, Ca. 1999-cancellation in 2006. CStar optics was registered as a corporation in Ca in Nov 1997 through at least 2010, with an addr of 15352 S Keeler St. Olathe Ks, but corporate status is now suspended.
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|
MICRO WORLD CORP dba BARSKA
(USA)
|
|
MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS: (U.S.TM owner )
BARSKA BINOCULARS
FULL SIZE BINOCULAR BRANDS: (U.S.TM owner )
WARRIOR BINOCULARS,
PRIMARY
SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
BARSKA WEBSITE, US PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS OFFICE
|
|
Micro World Corporation of 855 towne Center Dr Pomona Ca holds U.S. trademark #74534769 for
BARSKA
for binoculars from June 1994 to the present. Micro World is an importer/exporter manufacturer and distributor of sports optics, safes, flashlights, lasers, metal detectors, packs, cases and vests founded in 1993 is currently or was recently distributing or importing and distributing binoculars from China, including the Barska Blue Line 8x21 and 10x21 center focus reverse poro prism binoculars with external prism covers.
|
|
MIRAKEL DISTRIBUTORS
(USA)
|
|
MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS: (handled )
MIRAKEL BINOCULARS
PRIMARY
SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
MIRAKEL DISTRIBUTORS ADS, HARWIX OPTISCHE ADS
|
|
It is believed that in the 1920’s and 1930’s Mirakel Distributors of 1214 16th St Washington DC imported Bakelite miniature “
MIRAKEL
” model binoculars of an internal pattern similar to those on this website from Harwix Optische Ansalt of Berlin-Steglitz, Mommsentrasse 12. (But not having separate external prism covers).
|
|
BISLEY CO LTD.
(UK)
JOHN ROTHERY (WHOLESALE) CO. LTD.
|
|
MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS: (believed owned )
BISLEY BINOCULARS
(handled)
TASCO BINOCULARS
PRIMARY
SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
UK COMPANIES HOUSE, UK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE
|
|
Bisley Ltd. Founded in 1973 owns a current UK logo trademark #1477705 for
BISLEY
for binoculars and Bisley Ltd and distributor John Rothery (Wholesale) Ltd. founded in 1971 in Hampshire UK seem to be structural parts of the same entity. The Bisley marked miniature binoculars were probably theirs, and they currently distribute Tasco binoculars and may or may not have been distributing Tasco binoculars in the 1970’s when miniature binoculars were being sold under the Tasco brand.
|
|
USA
MARKET |
|
USA
MARKET |
|
USA
MARKET |
|
NEWBOLD AND BULFORD LTD. (UK) |
|
MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS: (used, owned?)
ENBEECO BINOCULARS, CONCORD BINOCULARS
(distributed?)
WEGA BINOCULARS,
REGENT MICRO BINOCULARS, SAVOY BINOCULARS, MILO BINOCULARS, COMMODORE BINOCULARS, MICRO BINOCULARS, MICRO CROWN BINOCULARS, SUPREMA BINOCULARS
CONVENTIONAL BINOCULAR BRANDS: (distributed?)
REGENT BINOCULARS, WRAY
BINOCULARS, BARR & STROUD BINOCLARS, MARS BINOCULARS, MEOPA BINOCULARS, KOMIYA BINOCULARS, KROMBACH BINOULARS, MOACHT BINOCULARS, MOZEHN BINOCULARS, NAVIGATOR BINOCULARS, NAVIGON BINOCULARS, OIGEE BINOCULARS, PETREL BINOCULARS, PLANET BINOCULARS, PLASTAVISTA BINOCULARS, MERKUR BINOCULARS, SEAGULL BINOCULARS, SPORTSCOPE BINOCULARS, TURNER BINOCULARS, TURNIER BINOCULARS, TYROL BINOCULARS, VARIMEX BINOCULARS, DR WOHLER BINOCULARS, DIANA BINOCULARS, GOA BINOCULARS, GOACHT BINOCULARS, GOLUX BINOCULARS, GOTUR BINOCULARS, GOWA BINOCULARS, GOZEHN BINOCULARS, COSIB BINOCULARS, GOSUB BINOCULARS, HENSOLDT BINOCULARS, GREENKAT BINOCULARS, FALKE BINOCULARS, ZEISS DELTRINTEM/FLEKTOGON, VIPER BINOCULARS, CARAVEL BINOCULARS, BECK KASSEL KOLIBRI BINOCULARS, SWAROSKI OPTIK, SPINDLER & HOYER BINOCULARS
PRIMARY
SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
PHOTO TRADE WORLD YEARBOOK & DIRECTORY 1969/ FOUNTAIN PRESS UK, HISTORY OF GLASSMAKING IN LONDON, UK (GOVT) COMPANIES HOUSE, OBSERVATION
|
|
Newbold and Bulford Ltd was founded as a manufacturing Optician around 1796, and acted as wholesale distributor and presumably importer of many brands of binoculars, telescopes, and spectacles, microscopes, magnifiers, ophthalmic lenses, and scientific instruments during the 1950’s –1980’s under the
ENBEECO
brand name, and was located at Emeeco House, Roger St, Grays Inn Rd, London UK. There was also a probably related Newbold and Bulford (Overseas) Ltd registered in the Isle of Mann. According to the UK govt Companies House Newbold and Bulford became (perhaps merged with or was acquired by) Pyser NB (Trading) Ltd. Firecroft Way, Edenbridge, Kent on 2/10/1991.
It is confirmed
by documentation
that Newbold and Bulford
specifically
distributed Milo 7x18 miniature binoculars, Suprema 7x25 miniature binoculars, Milo 8x20 miniature binoculars, Milo 10x20 miniature binoculars, Suprema 8x20 miniature binoculars, and Suprema 10x20 miniature binoculars, presumably among others. To view their catalog click
RESEARCH MATERIALS #2
|
|
ESDE OPTIK (GERMANY) |
|
MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS: (believed owned )
ESDE OPTIK BINOCULARS
PRIMARY
SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
DIRECTORIES, FERNOPTIC WILDE
|
|
Esde Optik of Mecedesstr.3 70372 Stuttgart Germany is a wholesale distributor of optical products including binoculars, and miniature pattern binoculars marked
ESDE OPTIK
are believed to be their product. According to a secondary source, Esde Optik has been operating around 40 years, and distributes products under it’s name through authorized dealers. Products include binoculars, telescopes, spotting scopes, microscopes, monoculars, and magnifiers, many of which were made for Esde Optik in Japan.
|
|
EUROPEAN
MARKET |
|
Newbold & Bulford Advertisement 1969 |
|
MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS (distributed):
REGENT BINOCULARS
PRIMARY
SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
CHEMIST & DRUGGIST AD 1964
|
|
Arthur H Cox & Co. of Lewes Rd, Brighton, UK (est 1889), a pharmaceutical manufacturer and distributer of medical supplies, promoted and distributed
REGENT BINOCULARS
at wholesale to the Chemist (drug store) market. In their 1964 Regent binoculars advertising, Arthur Cox & Co stated that Regent binoculars were being promoted through advertising in the following publications: Yachting Monthly, Yachting World, Yachts and Yachting, Motor Boat and yachting, Light Craft, The Field, Camping and Outdoor Life, Good Photography,
Amateur Photography, plus provincial newspapers. As an “Empire Made” (Hong Kong) product, Regent binoculars were free of the 10% tariffs under the UK Import Duties Act due to Imperial Preference.
|
|
JAPANESE CAMERAS LTD. (UK) |
|
BRANDS W/ MINIATURE BINOCULAR: (imported )
HOYA BINOCULARS, ATLAS BINOCULARS
FULL SIZE BINOCULAR BRANDS: (imported )
HOYA BINOCULARS, LUXO STAR BINOCULARS,
PRIMARY
SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
PHOTO TRADE WORLD YEARBOOK & DIRECTORY 1969/ FOUNTAIN PRESS UK, FROM REFUGEE TO OBE by CHARLES STRASSER
|
|
Japanese Cameras Ltd of 50 Picadilly, Tunstall, Stoke on Trent, Staffs UK (in 1969) was founded on May 8 1957 as an importing affiliate company to Photopia Ltd. They had showrooms at Regent House, 235-241 Regent St London ,UK
and were best known as the UK importer of Minolta cameras.
|
|
UK
MARKET |
|
USA
MARKET |
|
JAPAN
MARKET |
|
ASREH SUPPLY CORP (USA) |
|
MASEL SUPPLY CO (USA) |
|
ARTHUR COX & CO. LTD. (UK) |
|
MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRAN
DS (probably involved )
YAMATAR BINOCULARS
CONVENTIONAL BINOCULARS
(
believed
involved )
YAMATAR BINOCULARS
PRIMARY SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
INTERNATIONAL TRADE NAMES DICTIONARY/GALE RESEARCH/ 1988 |
|
Gale Research lists the Japanese firm Magna Corp of 6-7-1 Soto-Kanda, Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo, Japan as the exporter/supplier of Yamatar brand photographic and optical products (Ranger brand also) making it quite likely that Yamatar brand miniature binoculars and telescopes were exported or distributed by Magna Corporation. But the citation is subsequent the period of miniature binoculars and Magna may be a successor entity.
|
|
MAGNA CORPORATION
(JAPAN) |
|
CONTACT US WITH INFORMATION OR COMMENTS:
miniature.binoculars@gmail.com
|
|
UK
MARKET |
|
WORLD
MARKET |
|
UK
MARKET |
|
UK
MARKET |
|
UK
MARKET |
|
ACTINA LTD. (UK) |
|
MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS: (imported or distributed )
KALIMAR BINOCULARS
PRIMARY
SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
PHOTO TRADE WORLD YEARBOOK & DIRECTORY 1969/ FOUNTAIN PRESS UK, UK COMPANIES HOUSE, SCIENCE MUSEUM GROUP, GRACE’S GUIDE TO BRITISH INDUSTRIAL HISTORY, TOP BUSINESS UK
|
|
Actina Ltd of 60 St John St London EC1 (in 1969) and other London & Holborne addresses was believed active from the 1930’s until at least the 1960’s, making, distributing, and selling photographic equipment at both wholesale and retail. They were located at 19 Woodstock St, New Bond St, London and were well known for Actina brand camera filters. Actina was acquired by Dufay in 1963 but continued to operate under the Actina name, until Feb 1985 when it became Fotovalue Ltd.
See
RESEARCH MATERIALS #1
for the 1965-1966 Actina Ltd catalog holding in this collection.
|
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FOTO-QUELLE
(GERMANY),QUELLE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, GROSSVERSANDHAUS QUELLE SCHICKEDANZ KG |
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MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS:
(owned) “
Revue” BINOCULARS
PRIMARY
SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
US PATENTS AND TRADEMARK OFFICE, CAMERAPEDIA, UK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE, DEUTCHES PATENT UND MARKENAMP
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According to Camerapedia, Foto-Quelle was founded in 1957 as a subsidiary of the large German retailer Quelle, and by 1966 Foto-Quelle was the largest photographic chain retailer in Europe, and by 1970 Foto-Quelle was the largest photographic chain retailer in the world. Foto-Quelle imported and sold and distributed film cameras and other optical instruments such as binoculars and telescopes under the “
REVUE”
brand name through its retail stores. The parent company held german word trademark#812333 for “Revue” for binoculars, opera glasses & other goods 1965-2013, and held US trade mark #
72363024
from 1973– citing first use 1963-2004,
and held UK trademark #870070 from 10/1964 for “Revue” in
lower case letters
for microscopes and magnifiers including binoculars and telescopes. (UK chain Littlewoods Ltd held UK trademark #870070 for REVUE with
upper case letters
for binoculars from 1964). Some interaction in the UK is suggested but undefined. |
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EUROPEAN
MARKET |
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W. Haking (exporter)trademark crown
and REGENT brand |
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YAMADA KOGAKU KOGYO CO., LTD
(JAPAN) |
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USA
MARKET |
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MINIATURE BINOCULARS:
BELIEVED THOSE BINOCULARS MARKED YKK
PRIMARY
SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
KOMPASS
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Founded in 1951, Yamada Kogaku Kogyo Co Ltd. distributed optical instruments and lenses, but is not listed on the 1959 binoculars manufacturers list. Yamada Kogaku is believed to have exported binoculars with a YKK marking.
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