Name/TitleStereoscope ‘Le Multiphote’
About this objectLe Multiphote is a manual multi-view stereoscope designed for 24 glass slides. Turning the knobs on the sides moves the front panel outward, allowing a slide to drop into position before the lenses. Further rotation transfers the viewed slide into a detachable tray in the storage compartment below, while the next slide moves into place. Once all slides have been viewed, the tray can be removed and placed on top of the device. Sliding out the bottom of the tray reloads the slides into their original position. This eliminates the need to turn the device upside down like with the less advanced viewer ‘Le Minimus’. Having multiple storage magazines at hand allows for quick and efficient slide replacement.
In-depth information on the company can be found on André Ruiter’s blog: Lucien Bize
Place MadeFrance
MakerBize, Lucien
Maker RoleManufacturer
Date Made1908–1915
Series TitleMultiphote
TechniqueMulti-view, tray-based
TechniqueFocus, lens tubes
Period1893–1939
Subject and Association DescriptionLucien Albert Bize was a pioneer in compact stereoscope innovation in early 20th-century France. Introduced in 1908 alongside ‘Le Minimus’ and ‘Le Phénix’, it features an ingenious simple mechanism. Bize’s stereoscopes were initially manufactured by Maison Gustave Jacob in Paris until Jacob’s bankruptcy in 1911. Production continued under Bize until he sold his company to Robert Pleyau in 1913. The manufacturing of Bize’s stereoscopes likely ceased during World War I.
Format45x107mm
Object TypeStereoscope
Subject and Association KeywordsFR 374970 (L. Bize, S. Claparede, 1907)
Medium and MaterialsGlass Slides
Object numberM‑ST016
Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved
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