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Lot Essay
A variant design of Diocinescope was sold in Magic Lanterns, Optical Toys and Cameras, 23 November 2000, lot 166.
Le Diocinescope was described and illustrated in La Nature, 23 June 1900 and it was shown at the 1900 Paris Exposition under class 19 'Precision instruments'. The film viewer was the subject of French patent number 294714 granted to Henri Louis Huet of 27 November 1899. The viewer was also the subject of two British patents of 1900 and 1901. British patent number 7035 of 14 April 1900 was granted to H. L. Huet and A. Daubresse, both of Paris. It described 'Improved Cinematoscopic, Cinematographic, Chronophotographic and Chromophotographic Apparatus'. A second patent number 7650 of 13 April 1901 was granted to A. V. E Daubresse and described the use of a reflecting prism with an even number of faces for viewing, to negate the use of a shutter or mechanical intermittent. This example features the prism.
The patent which was accepted on 10 April 1902 stated: 'This invention relates to improvements in cinematographs which is characterized by the fact that the intermittent movement of the various pictures of the moving scene whether for taking or for reproducing photographic pictures is obtained not by mechanical means for momentarily rendering stationary the endless film carrying the pictures, but by an optical stop with regard to the film and the projecting screen, or the viewing glass or the receiving and projecting mirror...'
Le Diocinescope was described and illustrated in La Nature, 23 June 1900 and it was shown at the 1900 Paris Exposition under class 19 'Precision instruments'. The film viewer was the subject of French patent number 294714 granted to Henri Louis Huet of 27 November 1899. The viewer was also the subject of two British patents of 1900 and 1901. British patent number 7035 of 14 April 1900 was granted to H. L. Huet and A. Daubresse, both of Paris. It described 'Improved Cinematoscopic, Cinematographic, Chronophotographic and Chromophotographic Apparatus'. A second patent number 7650 of 13 April 1901 was granted to A. V. E Daubresse and described the use of a reflecting prism with an even number of faces for viewing, to negate the use of a shutter or mechanical intermittent. This example features the prism.
The patent which was accepted on 10 April 1902 stated: 'This invention relates to improvements in cinematographs which is characterized by the fact that the intermittent movement of the various pictures of the moving scene whether for taking or for reproducing photographic pictures is obtained not by mechanical means for momentarily rendering stationary the endless film carrying the pictures, but by an optical stop with regard to the film and the projecting screen, or the viewing glass or the receiving and projecting mirror...'