Keystone Pictograph Projector

Object/Artifact

-

American Sign Museum

Name/Title

Keystone Pictograph Projector

Entry/Object ID

2023.0034.0001

Description

Circa 1935 Keystone Pictograph Projector, Model No. 441, used to project enlargements of drawings onto billboards, showcards and other sign types. This pictograph was used to project enlargements of drawings, opaque photos, postcards, Polaroids Land prints (which can be projected on a screen 3 x 4), reading material, etc. It uses two bulbs and a combination of three interior mirrors to illuminate, optically reflect and project. It has three heat vents on top and 4 on its back, along with with a bake-lite carrying handle. The tubular-shaped bulbs light up, and the carrier is adjustable for various sizes of material to be projected. It was manufactured in Boston, Massachusetts, by Keystone Camera Company and costs $16.50 in 1939, the equivalent of about $370 today. Keystone Camera Company was established in c1919 in Boston, Massachusetts'. An American manufacture of consumer photographic equipment, tt was known for making movie cameras and cartridge cameras with built in electronic flash. In the 1930's, they made inexpensive 16mm cameras that are still used today. During WWII they also created an aerial camera. In 1966, they were acquired by Berkey Photo, Inc. and later in 1991, the Company filed for chapter 11 protection while simultaneously purchased by Concord Camera Company for $6.6 million. It was during this period they entered into the disposable, "single use" camera market.

Use

The projector was used by Dean Filla, a sign maker and instructor based in Aurora, CO, as well as Filla's father and grandfather.

Collection

Permanent Collection

Category

Tools/Equipment

Made/Created

Manufacturer

Keystone Camera Company

Date made

1935

Time Period

1930 - 1939

Place

City

Boston

State

Massachusetts

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Type

Makers Mark

Location

Front of Postoscope, center and above lens

Transcription

Model No. 441 Keystone Pictograph For Projecting Max Total Lamp Watts 500 Use Keystone Lamp No.1000 115 Volts 3 amps MFD by Keystone MFG. Co. Boston MASS

Notes

metal tag

Dimensions

Height

11 in

Width

12 in

Depth

12 in

Weight

7 lb

Material

Tin, lightbulb, Glass

Location

Category

Storage

Condition

Overall Condition

Good