Edison’s c1897 ‘improved’ Projecting Kinetoscope
Toronto. Our then movie expert, the late Robert Gutteridge discovered a rare Edision c1897 movie projector on display in a small theatre up in Beaverton on the eastern shore of Lake Simcoe.
Bob writes in a copyrighted article, “Just over an hour’s drive north of Toronto, and a very short distance west of Highway 12, lies the friendly town of Beaverton, hugging the eastern shore of Lake Simcoe. In the lobby of the community’s only cinema, the Strand Theatre, 303 Mara Road, stands a display case exhibiting the rare ‘Beaverton Projector,’ which to be accurate, is one of Thomas Edison’s second model moving-picture machines, called the ‘improved’ ’97 model Edison Projecting Kinetoscope.
“This make became available on the open market toward the end of February 1897 since it was announced in Maguire and Baucus, ‘Preliminary Circular,’ of February 16, 1897, as ‘being available in ten days for $100.’
“This second ‘screen machine,’ like its predecessor, the first model (available November 1896), has been dubbed the ‘Spool-bank Projector’ simply because of its optional threading of a short continuous film-loop (maximum of 50 feet) over a rack or ‘bank’ of spools. However, unlike its forerunner, the ‘improved’ ’97 model Projecting Kinetoscope could dispense with the spool-bank attachment in which case the upper and lower spools within the projector’s mechanism were replaced with so-called ‘reels’ for the ‘feed’ and ‘take-up.’
“Each had a capacity of at least six fifty-foot films spliced end-to-end. In addition, it differed from its precursor by having a framing adjustment in case the film should ‘slip’ out of registration as it passed over the intermittent, or stop-start mechanism.” …
Members viewed all of Mr Gutteridge’s article in the issue 25-2 pdf file on the ‘free’ members-only DVD/memory stick. You too can have one by joining the PHSC. Just follow the instructions under Membership above or at right. Questions may be directed to Lilianne at member@phsc.ca. While we can’t be sure you will spot old cinema gear at one of our 2025 events, you will find things of interest to add to your collection! Our next event is the rapidly approaching: the fall fair on October 19th, 2025. Download and read PHSC News issue 25-7 for details.
