Tray-Stereoscope ‘Le Taxiphote modèle mécanique’ with Original Table and ‘Trousse de Taxiphote’ lens set
A bakelite tray containing 25 glass slides can be inserted by flipping down the front of the viewer. Then, by turning a crank on the right side of the housing, one slide after another can be examined. One turn to lift the slide and another turn to move it towards the oculars. The magnification quality and hence the viewing experience represents the top of all Taxiphote models.
On the left side of the viewer, there is a counter which indicates the number of the slide and allows navigation to a specific slide while the centre knob is pressed. Pulling a metal chain on the left brings a mirror into position allowing the slide title to be read through the right ocular.
The little leathered case labelled ‘Trousse de Taxiphote’ has moulds for three pairs of exchange lenses for different viewing purposes. Except the main short focus lens pair, there’s one long focus pair turning back the ‘Modèle mécanique’ into an ordinary model, and a prism lens pair turning the image upside down. These ‘Redresseurs’ were intended to view non transposed Autochrome colour slides and were patented in 1911.
Having together the viewer, the lens sets in their case and the extraordinary table, this ensemble is very rare and in excellent condition.
In-depth information on the Taxiphote can be found here: Le Taxiphote — the most famous French stereo viewer
