Reiska
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Post by Reiska on Jul 6, 2008 13:17:53 GMT -5
I am, still collecting cameras. This new member is for fulfilling my nostalgic yen. My interest in Piccolette comes from the fact, that we had one many many years ago but it has disappeared in the shadows of history. Compur shutter has a serial No:258646 and Taronar Doppel Anastigmat lens serial is No:2241198 Peter W. has a list of Compur serials here for dating a shutter but this seems to be "out of the sector".  |
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Post by Just Plain Curt on Jul 6, 2008 19:13:12 GMT -5
Very nice Piccolette there Reilo. One I don't have myself but it sure looks interesting.
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PeterW
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Post by PeterW on Jul 6, 2008 19:41:11 GMT -5
That's a very nice Piccolette. I've always had a soft spot for them, and for the VPK which obviously inspired them (sincerest form of flattery?), but there are a lot more VPKs about.
Sorry my Compur serial number list doesn't go back far enough, but it lets us do a spot of Sherlock Holmesing. The earliest number I've got is 450,000 in 1920. The serial number on your Compur, 258,646 must indicate pre-1920.
Different sources give different dates for when Contessa Nettel introduced the Piccolette. Some say 1914, others 1915 and yet others 1919, with 1915 seeming to be favourite.
Deckel introduced the dial-set Compur in 1912, but I doubt if they started serial numbers at zero, very few companies do. I've no idea at what number they started, but I would hazard a wild guess at 200,000 or thereabouts. Your serial number must be fairly early, nearer 1912 than 1920 I would guess. (I've known people state 'facts' on less evidence than this).
There should be a serial number inside the Piccolette, visible when you take out the film carrier plate from the side. Unfortunately I don't know anyone with a Contessa Nettel serial number dating guide.
Apart from the decades-later lens from Taron in Japan, I don't know any lens maker that used the name Taronar, so I can't use that as a dating guide. The Doppel Anastigmat design goes back well into the 19th century.
All in all, the best overall guess I can make is that you've got quite an early Piccolette, 1915-1916 perhaps?, but don't take that as engraved in stone.
It's in lovely condition. Well done to find it.
PeterW
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Reiska
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Post by Reiska on Jul 7, 2008 8:10:15 GMT -5
The only number I found is 406 on that part which I can no name. The "film holder combination" on the right.   |
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