Postoscope Artist's Display Projector

Object/Artifact

-

American Sign Museum

Name/Title

Postoscope Artist's Display Projector

Entry/Object ID

2023.0034.0002

Description

Circa 1945 Postoscope Display Artists Projector, Model D was made by the Postoscope Company, a division of F.D. Kees Manufacturing of Beatrice, Nebraska. The F. D. Kees Manufacturing Company was started by Frederick D. Kees in 1874 as a gun and locksmith shop. The company began manufacturing in 1890. Its industry was primarily hardware specialties and its headquarters remained in Beatrice, Nebraska. According to a 1932 white paper report on projection technology, the Postoscope Company had already been marketing their projector to theatres. They advertised "an easy and inexpensive way to produce striking and attractive posters and displays." The body is a pressed-steel case, finished inside and outside with baked enamel and a crystal finish on the exterior. It has 6 top ventilation slots. It took two 250-watt, no. G-30 lightbulbs in porcelain-base sockets. It has 3 interior mirrors to optically reflect and project. It is dated to roughly the 1940s based on location of manufacturer's tag and type style.

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

Postoscope Company

Date made

1945

Time Period

1940 - 1949

Place

City

Beatrice

State

Nebraska

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Type

Makers Mark

Location

top, center above lens

Transcription

The Postoscope Display Artists Projector Model D Made by F.D. Kees Mfg. Co. Beatrice, Nebr., U.S.A.

Notes

metal tag

Dimensions

Height

10 in

Width

13-1/4 in

Depth

7-1/2 in

Material

Tin, lightbulb, Glass

Location

Category

Storage

Condition

Overall Condition

Fair