Hand cranked home cinematograph by E. Mollier, Paris.
Category
Photographic technology
Date
Unknown
Materials
Wood, Metal, Brass, Glass
Measurements
445 x 520 x 320 mm
Collection
Fox Talbot Museum, Wiltshire
NT 1525267.1
Summary
Hand cranked home cinematograph by E. Mollier, Paris. The whole is mounted on a solid wooden base which has 2 bolt keeps for the carrying case/cover. The projector comprises a cast metal frame which is mounted to the board as are the cast metal arms which hold the film spool axles. The takeup spools arm is cast metal and slides on 2 bolts with wing nuts to extend it rear rearwards in use. The film spool axle is mounted to the board but demounts and fits onto the top of the projector frame in use. It has an internally cogged rewind mechanism operating on an orbital cog at the end of the spool arm. The lamphouse attaches to the back of the film gate and is electrically powered. It comprises of 2 cylinders that push together and has a screw in reflector panel at the back and the condenser at the front. The lamphouse has a mechanism to move it up and down within the film gate. Immediately in front of the film gate is the shaft and cogs that connect the cranking handle to the working parts of the projector which are mounted either directly to the cast metal frame or to metal rods which hold the objective lens. The objective lens also has a mechanism to slide it up and down the 2 rods. The objective lens mechanism is built into a brass housing with rack and pinion focusing system. To the front of the lens is the flicker mask the shaft of which connects to the 2 front rods and is connected to the drive system by differential style cogs. Markings: On the top of the moulding is engraved – L’educateur, E Mollier, Paris On the bottom on the main cast metal mount - 140
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.