Japanese External Reverse Porro Prism Binoculars. VIRTUAL MUSEUM

GERMAN ORIGINS #5

  MINIATURFERNGLÄSSER: DEUTSCHE URSPRÜNGE Nr 5

Les origines de l'Allemand jumelles miniatures

Истоки немецкий миниатюрный бинокль

Los orígenes del alemán prismáticos en miniatura

ドイツのミニチュアの双眼鏡の起源

MARK OHNO

- GERMAN ORIGINS #1

- GERMAN ORIGINS #2

- GERMAN ORIGINS #3

- GERMAN ORIGINS #4

- GERMAN ORIGINS #5

- JAPANESE ORIGINS #1

- JAPANESE ORIGINS #2

- JAPANESE ORIGINS #3

- JAPANESE ORIGINS #4

- JAPANESE ORIGINS #5

- JAPANESE ORIGINS #6

  - INTRODUCTION #1

- INTRODUCTION #2

- DISTRIBUTION #1

- DISTRIBUTION #2

- DISTRIBUTION #3

- DISTRIBUTION #4

- DISTRIBUTION #5

- DISTRIBUTION #6

- DISTRIBUTION #7

- DISTRIBUTION #8

- FUN ANALYZING BRANDS #1

- FUN ANALYZING BRANDS #2

- FUN ANALYZING BRANDS #3

- FUN ANALYZING BRANDS #4

- BINOCULARS BY BRAND A-B

- BINOCULARS BY BRAND C-G

- BINOCULARS BY BRAND H-M

- BINOCULARS BY BRAND N-Q

- BINOCULARS BY BRAND R-S

- BINOCULARS BY BRAND T-Z

- PHOTO GALLERY #1

- PHOTO GALLERY #2

- PHOTO GALLERY #3

- PHOTO GALLERY #4

- PHOTO GALLERY #5

- PHOTO GALLERY #6

- PHOTO GALLERY #7

- PHOTO GALLERY #8

- PHOTO GALLERY #9

- PHOTO GALLERY # 10

- VINTAGE ADVERTISING #1

- VINTAGE ADVERTISING #2

- VINTAGE ADVERTISING #3

- VINTAGE ADVERTISING #4

- VINTAGE ADVERTISING #5

- VINTAGE ADVERTISING #6

- VINTAGE ADVERTISING #7

- VINTAGE ADVERTISING #8

- ORIGINAL BOXES #1

- ORIGINAL BOXES #2

- CAN YOU REPAIR THESE?

- REPAIR SEIZED OCULARS IF

- COLLIMATE AND REPAIR CF

- MORE REPAIRS #1

- MORE REPAIRS #2

- MORE REPAIRS #3

- IDENTIFY THIS

- SWAP SHOP & MISC

- MISC #1

- MISC #2

- INDEX

- RESEARCH MATERIALS #1

- RESEARCH MATERIALS #2

- DATA BINOCULARS BRANDS

Optistar 6x Miniature Binoculars, Without Markings. Das Miniaturfernglas „Optistar“ 6x, Ohne Kennzeichnung. «Optistar» Jumelles Miniatures 6x, Sans Marquages. «Optistar» Миниатюрные бинокли, без маркировок. Optistar 6x ミニチュアの双眼鏡 . “Optistar” Miniature Kikare , Utan Markeringar. « Optistar» 6x Prismáticos en Miniatura, Sin Marcas. Binocolo « Optistar» 6x in Miniatura, Senza Marcature.

UNMARKED [Optistar] binoculars Origin: Cassel, Germany. Serial number 41435. No “Optistar” marking, No “6x” marking. Binoculars Sourced in the USA Collection of Mark Ohno

Unmarked, Serial number 41435.

ca 1927 or so.

Normal markings. Serial number 41431

ca 1927 or so.

Normal markings. Serial number 41431.

Unmarked, Serial number 41435.

ca 1927 or so.

Compare these interesting unmarked [Optistar] binoculars series number 41435, pictured above and at left, to the Optistar binoculars serial number 41431, pictured at right, which have normal markings. These unmarked binoculars left the production line just 4 binoculars after the normally marked binoculars. Pending future finds or information, these are the only unmarked Optistar binoculars documented that are known to us at this time.

Additional Advertisements: Fata Morgana Binoculars Weitere Werbematerialien für „Fata Morgana“-Ferngläser. Annonces Supplémentaires: «Fata Morgana» Jumelles. Дополнительные рекламные объявления: «Fata Morgana» бинокль.    追加 のアドバタイズメント: Fata Morgana 双眼鏡 . Ytterligare annonser: “Fata Morgana” Kikare. Nuevos anuncios: «Fata Morgana» Prismáticos. Annunci Aggiuntivi di Binocolo «Fata Morgana»

The George Mayerle Optical Co ran this Fata Morgana Ad without using the Fata Morgana name . It ran in the Optical Journal and Review of Optometry April 6, April 13, and April 22 of 1922.

The George Mayerle Optical Co ran this Fata Morgana Ad without using the Fata Morgana name . It ran in the Optical Journal and Review of Optometry April 27, May 11, May 18, May 25, and June 1 of 1922.

The George Mayerle Co ran this Fata Morgana Ad without using the Fata Morgana name . It ran in the Optical Journal and Review of Optometry June 8,   of 1922. Note Mention of a new tariff that would double prices! This would be the US Fordney-McCumber protective Tariff Bill which raised ad valorem US import tariffs in September 1922 to 38.5%

Tariff

The Fordney-McCumber Tariff Act of 1922 on Imported Goods in the USA.  

The protectionist Fordney-McCumber Tariff act in the USA was signed by president Warren Harding in September 1922. It allowed imported goods to be taxed based on any difference of lower production costs to what US production costs would be, and allowed imported goods to be taxed according to US retail sales price (rather than having the price or value calculated on pre importation wholesale or manufacturing cost). The result was an ad valorem import tariff of around 38.5%. It presumably curtailed or choked off importation of Fata Morgana binoculars, and US advertisement of Fata Morgana binoculars appeared to taper off in 1923. The retail price in 1922 was $25 (around $291 in 2017 US dollars). None of the 1923 Fata Morgana ads show a price.           

Fata Morgana “Binoculettes” Advertisement December 1923, Detmers, 354 South Broaday and 735 South Hill, Los Angeles, California (Opticians)

Fata Morgana “Binoculettes” Advertisement December 1923, Texas Eganhouse Optical Co., 713 Main St.,   Houston, Texas

The George Mayerle Optical Co ran this Fata Morgana Ad without using the Fata Morgana name . It ran in January 1922

The George Mayerle Optical Co ran this Fata Morgana Ad without using the Fata Morgana name . It ran in May 1922 in Lincoln Nebraska, USA. Similar ads ran in Pittsburg Pa. in Feb. 1922.

Michaels Jewelry Store ran this Fata Morgana Ad without using the Fata Morgana name . It ran in Dec. 1921 in Green Bay Wisconsin, USA

MINIATUUR JAPANSE VERREKIJKERS

MINIATUROWE LORNETKI

PIENOISKOOSKA JAPANILAINEN KIIKARIT

μικροσκοπικά κιάλια

ミニチュア双眼鏡

ống nhòm mini

مناظير مصغرة اليابانيةچھوٹے جاپانی دوربین

BINÓCULOS JAPONÊS EM MINIATURA

DÛRBÎN JAPANESE XWEBIXWE

دوربین دوچشمی ژاپنی مینیاتوری

MINIATUUR JAPANESE BINOCULAERS

MINIJATURNI JAPANSKI DALEKOZOR

MINIATURNÍ JAPONSKÉ DALEKOHLEDY

MALIIT NA LARAWAN JAPANESE LARGABISTA

MINIATYURA YAPONIYA DURBIN

BINOCOLO GIAPPONESE IN MINIATURA

TEROPONG KECIL JEPUN

TYHULASI AMANCINANE JAPANESE

ỐNG NH Ò M MINIATURE NH Â T BảN

సూక్ష్మ జపనీస్ దూరదర్శిని

மினியேச்சர் ஜப்பனீஸ் தொலைநோக்கியின்

KEKERAN   JEPANG MINIATUR

کوچني د جاپان د فير

CASRIGA GHADAFI JAPANESE

MINIJATURNI JAPANSKI DALEKOZORI

MINYATI LONGVI JAPON È

L Í TIL JAPANSKA SJ Ó NAUKI

MINIAT Ü R T Á VCS Ö

DADA JAPAN BINOPKULARI

MINIATURE JAPANESE MAKA ANYA ABUO

KAKANG'ONO ZOYANG'ANIRA JAPANESE

CONTACT US WITH INFORMATION OR COMMENTS:   miniature.binoculars@gmail.com

Fata Morgana Binoculars: Evolution of Eyepieces. „Fata Morgana“-Ferngläser: Evolution der Okulare. «Fata Morgana» Jumelles: Évolution des Oculaires. “Fata Morgana” Kikare: Okularets Utveckling. «Fata Morgana» Prismáticos: evolución de los Oculares. Binocolo «Fata Morgana» : Evoluzione Degli Oculari.

Fata Morgana model

Observed Serial numbers #680 - #6322  

Pin plus slot type focusing mechanism

Fata Morgana model

Observed Serial numbers #8383 - #12691

Vertical knurl & pin on ring type focusing mechanism

Fata Morgana model (gilded brass)

Observed Serial numbers #14133 - #22421

Cross hatch knurl & pin on ring type focusing mechanism

Fata Morgana model (painted aluminum)

Observed Serial numbers #141330 - #22421

Cross hatch knurl & pin on ring

Fata Morgana model.

Observed Serial numbers #25071 - #25804

One piece Bakelite eyepiece / focus assembly, vertical knurl

Prinzess model

No serial number.

One piece Bakelite eyepiece / focus assy, cross hatch knurl

The George Mayerle Optical Co filed for a patent on the name    Binoculettes in December 1921, claiming use since August 1920, recorded in the Gazette of the United States Patent Office Volume 296 March 1922.

December 1922 advertisement using the trade marked name “Binoculette” for Fata Morgana binoculars, by Washington DC USA jeweler A. Kahn Inc.

December 1923 Fata Morgana binoculars advertisement by Washington DC USA jeweler A. Kahn Inc. (binoculars are upside down)

April 8, 1925 Fata Morgana binoculars advertisement by Washington DC USA jeweler A. Kahn Inc. Perhaps the latest documented advertisement.

April 8 1925 Fata Morgana binoculars advertisement by Washington DC USA jeweler A. Kahn Inc.

Plate Glass Factory, Reno, Nevada USA, Dec. 23, 1923

Fata Morgana Binoculars (serial no # 9613), with Serial Number on Prism Cover. „Fata Morgana”-Fernglas (Serienummer 9613) Mit Seriennummer auf Prism-Gehäuse. Jumelles «Fata Morgana» (-Numéro de Série 9613), avec le Numéro de Série sur le Boîtier Prism.«Fata Morgana» бинокли. Серийный номер 9613) С серийным номером на корпусе призмы. «Fata Morgana» Kikare (serienummer 9613) med seriennumer på Prisma Täcken. «Fata Morgana» Prismáticos (Número de Serie #9613), Con numero di Serie sul Recinto del Prisma. Binocolo «Fata Morgana» (Numeri di Serie 9613), con Número de Serie en el Gabinete del Prisma. «Fata Morgana двоглед (серијски број 9613 ) са серијским бројем на покривачу призме.

MANY THANKS TO PAPIĆ DARKO OF NOVI SAD, VOJVODINA,SERBIA for assistance in acquiring these binoculars.

Acquiring a number of examples of a serial numbered items, especially those displaying   variations, allows a glimpse into the pattern and sequence and evolution of design and production changes. Fata Morgana binoculars had a number of such changes, involving the ocular focus parts, frame thickness, prism cover retention, embellishments, and cases. As far as can be observed from near the start of production to serial number 6322 the serial number of Fata Morgana binoculars was stamped on the frame. Observed from serial number 8383 to 9613 the serial number was stamped on a prism cover. From serial number 10,202 the serial numbers were observed stamped on the frame again.

These Fata Morgana binoculars display the second or third pattern of focus mechanism (ring, pin, vertical knurl), the first pattern of 6mm thinner frame thickness, and the first pattern of prism cover retention (without side screw), as well as having the serial number on the prism cover.

Fata Morgana 4x binoculars # 9613, Origin: Cassel, Germany. Binoculars Sourced in SERBIA Collection of Mark Ohno

CONTACT US WITH INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: miniature.binoculars@gmail.com