Two French UFO`s

[photax]

Hi !

Here is a post relating to collectible cameras :
I simply call cameras which I could not identify “UFO`s” ( Unidentified Foto Objects ).

About ten years ago I purchased two of them at a flea market in France, somewhere at the Indre et Loire district.
The first one is a metal ( black crackle finish ) 5.5x8.5cm roll film camera with simple lens and two shutter speed positions: I and P, which could mean: Instant and Pose. The camera has no marks, except the letters A and S on the front. I have no manufacturer on my mind that would match “A.S”. I do have some French glass plate boxes marked with “ AS the Trefle “, but I don’t think that this is the manufacturer of this camera.





The second one is a simple metal 4x4 roll film camera with a fold away frame-finder named “Piccolo”. I know nothing about this one, it is also not mentioned in McKeowns or other catalogues. The seller told me back then, the only thing he knows is that this is a French camera.






I would be very happy if there is someone who can tell me something about this two beauties. Maybe Daniel is my last chance.

MIK

[daveh]

Perhaps they're destined to remain as UFOs. You would think that someone must know - but perhaps those who did have now been permanently fixed.

Just searching though google - I've found another Piccolo camera here leonardjoel.com.au/lot_details.php?lot=127228&auction=164 and another about the same www.antiquesreporter.com.au/index.cfm/lot/308599-piccolo-camera-no-872-photo-opera-france-3-x-4-cm-rollfilm-with/

I also came across this website, although I can't see a Piccolo in there corsopolaris.net/supercameras/index.html. He has even got several pages on Austrian cameras. www.photohistory.at/index.htm

[photax]

Hi Dave !

Thanks for the links ! But as you mentioned, I also think they will remain as UFO`s. I have a dozen other unidentified cameras in my shelf and maybe coincidence can help someday.

MIK