Epidiascope, War Production Model.
Newton and Co
Category
Photographic technology
Date
1930
Materials
Metal, Glass, Cord, Bulb
Measurements
475 x 340 mm; 830 mm (Length)
Place of origin
London
Collection
Fox Talbot Museum, Wiltshire
NT 1525230.1
Summary
Epidiascope, War Production Model in black crackle finish. Epidiascope is an all metal construction, it is built onto a metal framework and all panels are hinged or screwed to the metal box frame. The hole is mounted on 2 arched angle iron rails, between the 2 rails are 2 bars one of which has a lever control operating a cam which raises the bar and flap that is attached to the 2nd rail to partially close the orifice in the base of the box. The back of the box is a screwed plate. At the base of the plate is a smaller plate containing the on/off switch for the lamp and fan and there is a power cord that extends through the plate.It is a 3 cord twisted rubber coated, fabric wrapped wire .Above is the circular cover to the extractor fan. There is a plate which states – "Record A.M.7443 in correspondence please quote the above number". The top of the box is a simple plate screwed to the frame, either side of the box is a hinged plate metal door with turn buckle closures and a retaining chain, inside each door is a built in hexagonal mirror at an angle. Inside the box there is an electric light with a large reflector above. Above this is a fan to extract excess heat. Above the light source approx. angle 45degrees is a glass screen presumably to hold the object to be projected, the front of the box is a curved glass screen trapeziod shaped and with a cobbled surface. At the front of the box is a much more solid construction, to which is mounted a solid metal lens standard containing 2 lens, the top lens has a metal cover with a spring clip and is stamped - The “Newton” epidiascope, Newton & Co Ltd, London W1 war production model ref no 14a – 2416. The lens has an elliptic focus system activated by a knurled bolt and the lens front ring reads – 16 inch anastigmat epidiascope lens F.3.8. The bottom lens is mounted over the condenser lens and has a slide carrier, the slides are held in place by 2 metal bolts, one top right, one bottom left, forward of the slide carrier is a robust metal tube with a single brass draw tube to the lens mount. The lens is activated by twisting the lens itself but has a retaining screw in an elliptic slot. On the ring of the lens it reads – 8 inch anastigmat lens Newton London No 1549 14a – 2530
Provenance
Part of the Fenton Collection. A gift from British Film Institute in 2017. From 1986-1999, part of BFI collection for the Museum of the Moving Image. BFI purchased collection in 1986 from James Fenton's Museum of Photography, Port Erin, Isle of Man 1976-1986.
Makers and roles
Newton and Co, manufacturer