Taxiphote Curiosities — Unusual Survivors of a French Icon
Jules Richard’s Taxiphote was one of France’s most successful stereoscopes, produced and continuously refined over several decades. But its development was not always straightforward. Alongside the variety of the standard models, there were experiments, unusual requests, and ideas that sometimes remained exceptions. Five remarkable instruments from the collection offer a glimpse into this lesser-known history.
Among them is a Stéréo-Classeur from 1899, bearing the remarkably low serial number 42 — one of the earliest Taxiphotes ever made. Two later instruments feature rare patented mechanisms: an alternative counter lever and an ingenious system designed to conceal the movement of slides during image changes.
Even the affordable Taxiphote modèle simplifié appears here in an unexpected shape. And perhaps most intriguing is an apparent prototype of the Taxiphote modèle mécanique, incorporating ideas that never reached regular production.
Explore the five Taxiphotes below and discover what makes each of them so unusual!
