ICA Stereoscopic Viewfinder, Antique. Ca. 1910

This fine antique stereo viewer, made by ICA in Germany circa 1910, is a fully original item designed to watch 6x13-cm film slides. The viewer is in great condition and working order, and is a decorative and functional piece. The viewers solid oak wooden body looks very well preserved; it keeps the original satin finish with no relevant signs of wear, shiny and even. This finish really increases the viewers beauty. The black-bakelite-and-metal eyepieces (containing the lenses) are original and remain in great condition too. At the top of the viewer there is a wooden lid attached to the body with silvery-metal hinges. It bears the printed ICA logo, the first one to be used by the firm: the ICA letters over a five-pointed star. The viewer also preserves the front side with the original translucent-glass panel, designed to let natural light in so the user can watch the images printed on the film slides. This part is connected to the wooden body by hinges and can be opened to reach the slides once inserted through the side groove. This awesome antique ICA viewer is waiting to become part of a great collection of cinema- and photo-related antiques. Medidas: Ancho: 17 cm. Fondo: 16 cm.History of ICA ICA is an acronym of Internationale Camera A.G., a company that produced cameras, projectors and viewers founded in Dresden in 1909. The firm was created after the merger of four prestigious German optic-material manufacturers: Hüttig AG, Kamerawerk Dr. Krügener, Wünsche AG and Carl Zeiss Palmos AG. Hüttig AG was one of the oldest camera manufacturers in Europe, founded in 1862; on the other hand, the Wünsche factory was closed immediately after the merger though it was soon reopened as production place given the high request for cameras of those days. These factors supposed a great start for ICA. The original brand logo was a five-pointed star that was later substituted to a light-bearing angle. ICA produced different types of cameras, among which there were models formerly launched by the founding companies (such as the Sirene 135 and the Ideal). They also produced cameras of their own, for example the Icarette. In 1926, ICA became one of the name-giving partners in Zeiss-Ikon.