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SANS & STREIFFE, INC. (USA) |
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MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS (U.S. TM owner) SANS & STREIFFE BINOCULARS PRIMARY INFORMATION: US PATENT & TRADEMARK OFFICE, TRADE DIRECTORIES |
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Sans & Streiffe, of 565 West Washington Blvd., Brookfield, Illinois was probably formed around 1951 as an importer/distributor of binoculars, microscopes, telescopes, drafting tools, weather instruments, slide rules, movie cameras transistor radios, and similar goods. They held US trademark # 72055522 for “Sans & Streiffe” for binoculars, telescopes, microscopes, barometers, thermometers, & hygrometers from June 1959 to 2000, claiming first use in commerce of 12/15/1951. Sans and Streiffe appears in trade directories at least through 1973. TO SEE OUR SANS & STREIFFE BINOCULARS NAVIGATE TO PHOTO GALLERY #5 . |
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Japanese External Reverse Porro Prism Binoculars. On Line MUSEUM |
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MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRAND (presumed owned, but trade marked for other photo trade items ) ZYKKOR BINOCULARS PRIMARY SOURCES OF INFORMATION: PERFECT LEADS, US PATENTS AND TRADEMARK OFFICE, LEGAL FORCE TRADEMARKS, BUSINESS LOOKUP |
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Photo Audio Consumer Marketing Corporation of One West 34th St., NYC was formed in 1979 as a distributor of photographic products and accessories and consumer electronics, including those that were marketed under the ZYKKOR trade name and distinctive US trade mark# #73276663 logo as seen on miniature binoculars. Dissolution of the co was reportedly on June 26,1996. |
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TASCO SALES PTY LTD (AUSTRALIA) |
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MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRAND (handled) TASCO BINOCULARS PRIMARY SOURCES OF INFORMATION: AUSTRALIAN SECURITIES AND INVESTMENTS COMMISSION |
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Tasco Sales Pty Ltd of Brookvale NSW was apparently formed 11/5/1965 as a Australian distribution entity for Taco products, and is currently active. |
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SPI/ SOUTHERN PRECISION INSTRUMENT CO. (USA) OPTEX INC., WORLD PRECISION INSTRUMENTS INC |
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MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRAND (U.S. TM owner for SPI logo) SPI BINOCULARS & telescopes, ( U.S. TM owner ) OPTEX BINOCULARS (model name) SOUTHERNER BINOCULARS PRIMARY SOURCES OF INFORMATION: SPI ADVERTISEMENT, TEXAS STATE COMPTROLLER, TRADE DIRECTORIES, US PATENT & TRADEMARKS OFFICE |
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SPI / Southern Precision instrument Co./ Nathaniael Halpern of San Antonio Texas held US trademark #71651245 for the “SPI in diamond” logo for binoculars, telescopes & microscopes from July 13, 1954 until transferred to affiliated company Optex in April 1960, with first use in commerce stated as 1951. The trademark was transferred to Zale Corp in 1974, and then to Sugerose in 1986, and World Precision Instruments DBA Southern Precision Instruments in 1994. An occupied Japan AOCo marked “Southerner” pair of miniature a binoculars suggests SPI was active ca 1950 and had a relationship with Asahi Optical Co. SPI/ Optex were longtime importers and distributors of binoculars, telescopes, microscopes, stop watches, compasses, measuring instruments, and other products, and for a time of transistor radios. Optex Inc DBA Southern Precision Instruments held US trademark #72260953 for Optex for binoculars from Dec 1967 claiming first use in 1957 but it was reassigned 9 times subsequently starting in 1974 including back and forth between the same or similar entities and last trademark owner World Precision Instruments DBA Southern Precision Instruments. |
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SPI Advertisement ca 1952 |
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HENRY BIRKS & SONS LTD. (CANADA) LES JOAILLIERS BIRKS INC. BIRKS JEWELERS INC. |
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MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS (Canadian TM owner) BIRKS BINOCULARS PRIMARY SOURCES OF INFORMATION: CANADIAN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE, CLOUDY NIGHTS. |
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Henry Birks & Sons (now Birks Group, formerly Berks Jewelers Inc & Les Joailliers Birks Inc) of 1240 Phillips Sq Montreal Canada has operated as a Canadian retail jewelry and giftware chain since 1879, and holds Canadian design trade mark #TMA575763 with 61 related Canadian trademarks for “Birks”and or lion for binoculars, telescopes, microscopes and for around 122 other items. Birks binoculars were sold through Birks owned Canadian retail outlets, but they do occasionally show up in the UK and elsewhere so they might or might not have been distributed at wholesale. TO SEE OUR BIRKS BINOCULARS NAVIGATE TO PHOTO GALLERY #8 . |
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HEADQUARTER & GENERAL SUPPLIES, LTD (UK) |
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MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS (believed used/no TM ) LIEBERMAN & GORTZ BINOCULARS, L & G TELSTAR BINOCULARS, TELSTAR BINOCULARS (distributed?) REXINA BINOCULARS, PRIMARY SOURCES OF INFORMATION: ACCOUNTANCY NOV 66 VOL 77 ISSUE 879, FINDMYPAST |
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According to the 1966 trade publication “Accountancy”, Headquarter and General Supply was a mail order company formed in 1941 and made public in July 1963. They say that much of the early business was in binoculars and watches, but the company expanded to tents, camping equipment, carpeting, records, transistor radios, tape recorders, photographic equipment, furniture and clothing. And apparently guitars, power tools, jewelry and various other things at different times. A good portion of the outdoor gear was military surplus. As of 1966 they also operated retail outlets. They advertised extensively in “Exchange and Mart”, but also in a wide range of specialty periodicals such as “Commercial Grower”. Ads in the Northern Ireland newspaper Larne Times (Antrim) as early as June 1947 show the mail order location as 196-200 Coldharbor Lane, London SE5 (Brixton), which still exists and is a triangular building on the corner of Flaxman and Coldharbor roads and is adjacent to Loughborough station. According to two people who worked for the company at their Surbiton (Surrey) and their Guilford (Surrey) retail stores the company went out of business in the late 1970’s. By all accounts “Lieberman & Gortz” was a “house” brand for binoculars for almost the entire lifespan of the company, but does not appear to have had a UK trademark. For some reason I am unable to find documentation on Headquarter & General Supplies Ltd in UK Companies House records of dissolved, current, or prior name companies, nor any information in the UK Insolvency Register. H & GS appears to have sold it’s Lieberman & Gortz binoculars at retail rather than distributing them at wholesale. TO SEE OUR HEADQUARTER & GENERAL SUPPLY CATALOG NAVIGATE TO BINOCULAR CATALOGS #03 . |
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UK MARKET |
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CANADA MARKET |
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HENRY KAUFMANN (GERMANY) |
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MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS (probably owned) HK IDEAL HELGOLAND BINOCULARS PRIMARY SOURCES OF INFORMATION: ASTRONOMIE.DE, “JEWELIER & SPORT OPTIK HENRY KAUFMANN” WEBSITE |
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Jewelry and optics trader Henry Kaufmann is located on the resort island of Helgoland at Siemens Terassse 162. Helgoland currently is exempt from the EU VAT and thus offers a tax advantage to visitors purchasing goods to take home. It is believed that the firm imported binoculars from Japan and sold them with HK Hegoland brand markings, probably at retail. The firm currently offers Leica, Zeiss, Steiner, and Swarovski sports optics, as well as jewelry. TO SEE OUR HK IDEAL BINOCULARS NAVIGATE TO PHOTO GALLERY # 10 . |
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GERN OPTIK (SWITZERLAND) |
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EUROPEAN MARKET |
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MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS (probably owned) WEGA BABY BINOCULARS, WEGA SPORT BINOCULARS CONVENTIONAL BINOCULAR BRANDS: WEGA LUX, WEGA SPORT BINOCULARS |
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Gern Optik markings are commonly found on “Wega” brand binoculars. The firm is listed in directories as being a wholesaler of optical instruments in Vaud Switzerland, but is believed no longer in operation. Distributors included Newbold and Bulford for the UK market. TO SEE OUR WEGA BABY AND WEGA SPORT BINOCULARS NAVIGATE TO PHOTO GALLERY # 11 |
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LL BEAN INC (USA) |
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MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS (owned) LL BEAN BINOCULARS PRIMARY SOURCES OF INFORMATION: WIKIPEDIA |
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The American mail order, catalog, on line, and retail store outdoor outfitter and clothier LL Bean was founded in 1912 and is based in Freeport Maine. The company imported and sold binoculars under it’s LL Bean brand name over the years. TO SEE OUR LL BEAN BINOCULARS NAVIGATE TO PHOTO GALLERY #7 . |
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USA MARKET |
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MONTGOMERY WARD/ WARDS (USA) |
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SEARS ROEBUCK & CO./ SEARS (USA) |
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K MART (USA) SS KRESGE |
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MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS (U.S. trademark owner) FOCAL BINOCULARS PRIMARY SOURCES OF INFORMATION: US PATENT & TRADEMARKS OFFICE, WIKIPEDIA |
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The US retail chain K Mart headquartered at different times in Michigan and Illinois is the successor to the US retail chain SS Kresge, founded in 1899. SS Kresge Co held US trademark # 72312306 for Focal for binoculars, telescopes, cameras from 11/15/1968 to 1977 (claimed first commercial use1966, then succeeded by K Mart. K held Canadian trademark TMA270461) FILED 8/28/1981 , used in Canada since 1975, expunged 1998 K Mart imported and distributed binoculars, telescopes, and photographic products under the Focal brand name through it’s retail outlets. |
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MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS (owned) WARDS BINOCULARS (believed owned) ADAMS BINOCULARS (handled) PLUM BINOCULARS PRIMARY SOURCES OF INFORMATION: WIKI department PEDIA |
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MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS (owned) SEARS BINOCULARS, TOWER BINOCULARS PRIMARY SOURCES OF INFORMATION: CAMERA-WIKI.ORG |
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The American mail order, catalog, and store retailer Montgomery Ward (later Wards) was founded in 1872 and was apparently closed in chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2000. The company imported and sold binoculars under the Ward’s name and sold binoculars and photographic accessories through it’s stores and catalogs under the Adams brand, though not trademark listed. TO SEE OUR ADAMS BINOCULARS NAVIGATE TO PHOTO GALLERY #1 . TO SEE OUR 1897 AND 1950 AND 1952 AND 1958 MONTGOMERY WARDS CATALOGS NAVIGATE TO BINOCULAR CATALOGS #04 . |
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USA MARKET |
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The American mail order, catalog, and department store retailer Sears Roebuck & Co (later Sears) was founded in 1886 in Chicago Illinois. The company imported and sold binoculars under the Sears name and sold TOWER BINOCULARS , as well as all manner of cameras & photographic accessories, typewriters, electric fans, and other products using it’s “Tower” brand, named after the famous “Sears Tower” building in Chicago, which was the world’s highest building for 24 years. Sears owned the “Tower” brand trade mark for some things, like Sears photo finishing (from 1949). Additional items were sold under the “Sears Tower” trade mark. Many “Tower” marked miniature binoculars were made by Asahi Optical Co and are also “ AOCo” marked, and these are virtually identical to AOCo marked Bushnell miniature binoculars. Sears held Canadian trademark #0210156 for SEARS for binoculars 1951 to the-present. Sears held New Zealand trademark #140946 for SEARS for binoculars 1986 to 2004. Sears held US trademark #172097101 for SEARS for binoculars 1960 to -2003. All of Sears various brands products were contract manufactured. TO SEE OUR SEARS BINOCULARS NAVIGATE TO PHOTO GALLERY # 10 .TO SEE OUR 1911 SEARS ROEBUCK OPTICAL CATALOG NAVIGATE TO BINOCULAR CATALOGS #06 . |
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GEORGE MAYERLE OPTICAL CO (USA) |
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USA MARKET |
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USA MARKET |
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MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS (handled) FATA MORGANA BINOCULARS PRIMARY SOURCES OF INFORMATION: ADS IN VARIOUS PUBLICATIONS |
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The George Mayerle Optical Co. of 960 Market St, San Francisco, California USA was the exclusive US and Mexican wholesale distributor for the Fata Morgana binoculars in the early 1920’s. TO SEE OUR FATA MORGANA BINOCULARS NAVIGATE TO PHOTO GALLERY #1 , AND GERMAN ORIGINS #1 -5. |
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LUDWIG BÜNGER (JAVA, DUTCH EAST INDIES) |
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The optician firm of Ludwig B ü nger, with shops in the cities of Bandoeng (later Bandung) and Semaring, was the agent for “Fata Morgana” binoculars during the early 1920's, on the island of Java. Java was part of the colony of the Dutch East Indies at the time (the area is now Indonesia). TO SEE OUR LUDWIG BUNGER HISTORY NAVIGATE TO GERMAN ORIGINS #4 . |
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MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS (handled) FATA MORGANA BINOCULARS PRIMARY SOURCES OF INFORMATION: CATALOGUS KOLINIALE TENTOONSTELLING, AECHIEF VOOR DE SUIKERINDUDTRIE IN NEDERLANDSCH-INDIE, Volume 30, Part 1 1922 |
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GŌSHI-GAISHA ENDŌ KAMERA-TEN / ㈾遠藤 カメラ店 (JAPAN) |
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MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS (believed) PIGEON (?) BINOCULARS PRIMARY SOURCES OF INFORMATION: CAMERAPEDIA |
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Gōshi-gaisha Endō Kamera-ten (Endo camera shop) operated in Itabashi Tokyo from around 1951-1953, and then successor Endō Shashin Yōhin K.K. operated in Kyōbashi Tokyo from 1953 to at least 1956 distributed various photography related products under the “Pigeon” brand name, probably (?) including “Pigeon” brand miniature binoculars. TO SEE OUR PIGEON BINOCULARS NAVIGATE TO PHOTO GALLERY #7 . |
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JAVA MARKET |
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USA MARKET |
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CARTON OPTICAL INDUSTRIES, LTD. (JAPAN) |
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OTHER MARKETS |
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MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS (U.S. TM owner) CARTON BINOCULARS PRIMARY SOURCES OF INFORMATION: CARTON WEBSITE, USPTO, |
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Carton Optical Industries Ltd was founded in 1930 as a wholesaler of spectacle frames. In 1951 Carton became a trading company importing and exporting a variety of optical goods. In 1964 Carton established it’s own factory to manufacture microscopes, binoculars, telescopes, magnifiers, and ophthalmic instruments under the Carton name. and for other brands. Carton held US trademark # 76396103 for binoculars, telescopes & microscopes Apr 2003 to present, but listing first use in commerce as 1964, and held Japanese trademark #4095350 of 1997 listing first use 1964 and Canadian design trademark #TMA604018 for binoculars, telescopes, micro scopes & opera glasses 2004-.present. |
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ŌFUNA KŌGAKU-KIKAI SEISAKUSHO ( 大船光学機械製作所 ), OFUNA OPTICAL INSTRUMENT MANUFACTURING C0. INC. (JAPAN) |
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USA MARKET |
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MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS (owned) OFUNA BINOCULARS, WOODSMAN BINOCULARS, HERON BINOCULARS PRIMARY SOURCES OF INFORMATION: CAMERAPEDIA, OBSERVATION |
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Ofuna Optical Instrument Manufacturing Co. Inc. was formed in Japan during WWII to produce military binoculars and optics, in the town of Dai in an area commonly known as Ōfuna. After the war the company made binoculars (and cameras for a short time), until closing in 1963. Ofuna was more of a manufacturer than distributor, and K.K. Kashimura Yōkō distributed the binoculars in Japan. Ofuna binoculars were also distributed in the USA, but the mechanism for export and import and US distribution are not known. TO SEE OUR OFUNA BINOCULARS NAVIGATE TO PHOTO GALLERY # 10 . |
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HEILAND PHOTO PRODUCTS, HONEYWELL CORP. (USA) |
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MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS (handled) PENTAX BINOCULARS PRIMARY SOURCES OF INFORMATION: CAMERAPEDIA, WIKIPEDIA |
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Heiland Research Corporation developed the modern external electronic photographic flash attachment in the late 1930’s, and merged with Honeywell Corporation in 1954. From around 1959 to at least 1973 Honeywell was the U.S. importer of Asahi Kogaku/ Pentax cameras, and for at least part of that time also distributed Pentax binoculars, through it’s Heiland Photo Products division. |
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USA MARKET |
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OKAYA KŌGAKU KIKAI K.K./ 岡谷光学機械㈱ (JAPAN) |
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MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS (owned) VISTA BINOCULARS PRIMARY SOURCES OF INFORMATION: CAMERAPEDIA |
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Okaya Kōgaku Kikai K.K./ 岡谷光学機械㈱ , or Okaya Optical Works Company, Ltd.) was a Japanese maker of "Vista" brand binoculars in the 1950s and perhaps 1960s, and appear to have acted as exporter and wholesale distributor. |
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OTAKE & CO. LTD. (JAPAN) |
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MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS (owned) VESPER BINOCULARS PRIMARY SOURCES OF INFORMATION: OTAKE & CO LTD CATALOG |
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Otake & Co. Ltd of No 17 1 Chome Sugamao, Toshima-K Tokyo was, according to their English language catalog, owner of the “Vesper” name for all optical instruments as registered in the Japan Patent office. Otake was probably a manufacturer (several Otake companies appear on the 1959 list of Japanese binoculars makers), but because of the English catalog was probably also involved in export or distribution. This collection holds an Otake & Co catalog. TO SEE OUR OTAKE & CO LTD. CATALOGS NAVIGATE TO BINOCULAR CATALOGS #05 . |
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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. |
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COPITAR CO. LTD. (JAPAN) |
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MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS (U.S. TM owner) COPITAR BINOCULARS PRIMARY SOURCES OF INFORMATION: US PATENT & TRADEMARKS OFFICE |
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Copitar Co Ltd. Of 11-12, 5-ChomeNishi-Nippori, Arakawa-Ku, Tokyo Japan is a company listed on the 1959 list of Japanese binoculars makers, and held US trademark # 74259298 for Copitar for binoculars, mini binoculars, telescopes, opera glasses & magnifiers, claiming first use in 1966 (trademark cancelled Dec. 2000). |
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USA MARKET |
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PRENTISS IMPORTERS (USA) |
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USA MARKET |
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MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS: (probably) PRENTISS DELUXE BINOCULARS PRIMARY SOURCES OF INFORMATION: POPULAR MECHANICS, POPULAR SCIENCE |
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Prentiss Importers of the Mercury Building in West Los Angeles California USA advertised in various magazines from around 1950 to around 1961, as being a binoculars and telescope importer, initially offering to supply dealerships, and later offering mail order retail direct catalog sales. In 1955 they claimed to be distributing 22 models of binoculars. TO SEE OUR PRENTISS BINOCULARS NAVIGATE TO PHOTO GALLERY #4 and BIG & SMALL #5 |
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OMORI SOGO KŌGAKU KŌGYŌ 大森総合光学工業 (JAPAN) |
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MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS: (using & believed owned) PLUM BINOCULARS PRIMARY SOURCES OF INFORMATION: DIRECT OBSERVATION |
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Omori Sogo Kōgaku Kōgyō was a prolific Japanese assembling manufacturer of miniature binoculars. I have observed 33 miniature binoculars brand names which Omori Sogo Kōgaku made binoculars for, and there are presumably others. Binoculars manufactured by Omori Sogo Kōgaku are found in every geographic market where Japanese miniature binoculars are found. I believe that the “Plum” brand belonged to Omori Sogo Kōgaku, and that “Plum” was the brand used on those binoculars that Omori Sogo Kōgaku distributed on it’s own behalf. Omori Sogo Kōgaku products carry a distinctive “K in a cloud” stamping. TO SEE OUR PLUM BINOCULARS NAVIGATE TO PHOTO GALLERY #5 . |
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ALL KNOWN MARKETS |
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USA MARKET |
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MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS: (believed owned/used) BURTON DURATEST BINOCULARS PRIMARY SOURCES OF INFORMATION: TRADEMARK REFERENCES, BLOOMBERG |
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The R.H. Burton Co. was founded in 1947 and distributed ophthalmic and optometry equipment and supplies and optical equipment. It was located at 2504 Sullivant Av, Columbus, Ohio, and later of 1395 Brookham Dr., Grove City Ohio) and for a time apparently also imported and distributed binoculars under the Burton Dura-Test brand. The company is still active. TO SEE OUR BURTON BINOCULARS NAVIGATE TO PHOTO GALLERY #7 . |
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MEIJI SEIKO CO LTD./ MEIJO SEIKO KŌGAKU 明治精工株式会社 (JAPAN) |
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ALL KNOWN MARKETS |
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MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS: (believed using/owned) EAGLE BINOCULARS, MENAN BINOCULARS,MEIJI BINOCULARS PRIMARY SOURCES OF INFORMATION: DIRECT OBSERVATION |
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Meiji Seiko Kōgaku/ Meiji Seiko Co. was a prolific Japanese assembling manufacturer of miniature binoculars. I have observed 45 miniature binoculars brand names for Meiji Seiko made binoculars, including those of well known importers such as Swift, and there are presumably others. Binoculars manufactured by Meiji Seiko Kōgaku are found in every geographic market where Japanese miniature binoculars are found. I believe that the “Eagle” brand belonged to Meiji Seiko Kōgaku for a while, and that EAGLE BINOCULARS was the brand used on those binoculars that Meiji Seiko Kōgaku distributed on it’s own behalf in the 1950’s-1970’s. TO SEE OUR EAGLE BINOCULARS NAVIGATE TO PHOTO GALLERY #6 . TO SEE OUR ME NAN BINOCULARS NAVIGATE TO PHOTO GALLERY #5 . |
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C.W.S. COOPERATIVE WHOLESALE SOCIETY (UK) |
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MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS: (using/ believed owned) INVINCIBLE BINOCULARS PRIMARY SOURCES OF INFORMATION: 1960 C.W.S. ADVERTISEMENT |
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UK based C.W.S. /Cooperative Wholesale Society was formed in 1933, and together with successors CRS/Cooperative Retail Services and later The Cooperative Group, they are a large chain of retail food, department stores, convenience stores, and sometimes pharmacies, banks, footwear stores, funeral care, legal services, with as many as 3500 locations, and an ownership of millions of UK consumers. Ads indicate as early as 1960 they were apparently using the INVINCIBLE BINOCULARS brand for their own range of imported binoculars, though seemingly not trademarked. TO SEE OUR INVINCIBLE BINOCULARS NAVIGATE TO PHOTO GALLERY #3 . |
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UK MARKET |
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MIZAR-TECH CO, LTD. (JAPAN) ( successor to ) MIZAR CO LTD, HINO KINZOKU SANNGYO CO LTD, EIKOW OPTICAL CO |
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MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS (owned) MIZAR BINOCULARS, (successor) EIKOW BINOCULARS PRIMARY SOURCES OF INFORMATION: CORRESPONDENCE WITH MIZAR OPTICAL, JAPAN (overseas direct/web marketing/sales & marketing entity for Mizar-Tech ) |
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Hino Kinzoki Sanngyo Co Ltd was formed in 1952. The company was a manufacturer and distributor of telescopes, binoculars, spotting scopes, microscopes, magnifiers, compasses, etc., and the Mizar brand was well respected, particularly for astronomical telescopes. In 1990 Eikow optics and Hino merged to become Mizar Co., Ltd., and in 2013 the company became Mizar-Tech, Ltd. The company currently supplies the Japanese market through wholesale channels, with direct web sales elsewhere through Mizar Optical. Eikow and Mizar brand miniature pattern binoculars are encountered in various countries. TO SEE OUR EIKOW BINOCULARS NAVIGATE TO PHOTO GALLERY #7 . |
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USA MARKET |
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OTHER MARKETS |
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1970’s product line of Hino Kinzoku Sangyo Co Ltd., with miniature pattern poro prism binoculars circled. Photo reproduced by permission of Mizar Optical, www.mizar-optical.com (all rights reserved). |
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EUROPEAN MARKET |
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1965 K-Mart Optical Dept |
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USA MARKET |
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JAPAN MARKET |
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JAPAN MARKET |
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JAPAN MARKET |
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USA MARKET |
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SWITZERLAND MARKET |
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R.H. BURTON CO. (USA) |
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PHOTO AUDIO CONSUMER MARKETING CORPORATION (USA) |
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ENJOY THE SITE? Consider Participating The website represents the unpaid effort of mostly one person and whenever anybody looks at it, then it actually costs a little bit of money out of pocket. Not a big deal and with a commitment to doing a lot with a little the website is hosted at Nearly Free Speech.net and it is very cost effective. But with as many as 1/4 million page views in busy months, each view does cost a little bit of money and over time it adds up. We really like to encourage active viewer participation: photos, information, feedback, suggestions, questions, comments, binoculars, anything. Maybe you don’t have any information or photos to contribute, but if you enjoyed this website then please also consider supporting the effort with a tiny gift: 50¢, 75¢, price of a candy bar or cup of coffee...anything. Every 75¢ donated (which goes directly to the web hosting account and can’t be used for anything else) would pay for at least 15,000 (and perhaps a lot more) people to view the website. Many thanks to people who have helped with photos information, feedback, translation improvements, and donations. |
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To donate a small sum to help host this site paste the following on your browser: https://www.nearlyfreespeech.net/ contribute/miniaturebinoculars.com |
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CONTACT US WITH INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: miniature.binoculars@gmail.com |
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Distribution of Japanese Miniature Binoculars. Miniatur Fernglas Verteilung. Jumelles Miniature Distribution. Миниатюрные бинокли распределения. 小型双眼鏡配布 . Miniatyr Kikare Distribution. Prismáticos en Miniatura Distribución. Distribuzione dei Binocoli Giapponesi Miniatura. |
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AUSTRALIAN MARKET |
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GERMANY MARKET |
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INTERNATIONAL TRADE ASSOCIATES, INC (JAPAN) |
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MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRANDS (brand distributed? ) MILO BINOCULARS PRIMARY SOURCES OF INFORMATION: JAPAN DIRECTORY 1990 |
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Many Milo binoculars have been observed supplied with a lens cleaning cloth marked “MILO” and “INTERNATIONAL TRADE ASSOCIATES INC.” and ’MADE IN JAPAN’. The term “Inc.” is odd to see used with Japanese companies who tend to use KK or Ltd. The Japan directory lists a firm International trade Associates, Inc. located in Shinjuku-ku district of Tokyo exporting optical and cinematographic products which is probably the same entity (but speculative). |
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1955 Sears Ad |
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TELE-OPTICS (USA) |
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MINIATURE BINOCULAR BRAND (handled) probably BUSHNELL BINOCULARS FULL SIZE BINOCULARS BRANDS: BUSHNELL, HENSOLDT, ZEISS, BAUSCH & LOMB SOURCES OF INFO: MAGAZINE ADS, IL. DEPT OF STATE, KOEHLER OBITUARY, ADS |
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Tele Optics was a US mail order retailer and repairer of binoculars, owned by Herb Koehler (who died in 2015), observed advertising from around 1951 through the 1980s in consumer magazine like Popular Science and Backpacker, and in the 1990’s and later advertising binoculars repairs in Audubon and birding magazines. At some point the firm became Koehler Optics. A “Tele-Optics Inc” was incorporated in Il in 1983, and was subsequently involuntarily dissolved 7 years later, and may be related. |
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BINOCULARS RESEARCH WEBSITE, NOT FOR PROFIT FERNGLAS-FORSCHUNGS-WEBSITE, NICHT GEWINNORIENTIERT SITE DE RECHERCHE SUR LES JUMELLES, À BUT NON LUCRATIF |
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MARK OHNO ミニチュア双眼鏡 миниатюрные бинокли |
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FOR OUR MILITARY & FULL SIZE BINOCULARS see sections OTHER BINOCULARS & BIG & SMALL |
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FOR OUR MILITARY & FULL SIZE BINOCULARS see sections OTHER BINOCULARS & BIG & SMALL |
