Offered for your consideration is this extremely rare, certified and authentic Pathe 35mm Model Professional Type X Motion Picture Camera, built Circa 1908.

 
This is a MUSEUM QUALITY rare Pathe cinema camera, serial number: 744. It is extremely rare because it

 is virtually impossible to find one like it in unmolested original condition as it has all original unrestored 

leather, paint, wood and patina from the Circa 1908-1912 era. It does show its old age with regal splendor 

and has the epitome of circa 110 year old working cinema camera ~patina~. 

This camera was sold by the USA Pathe Distributor. The official USA distributor added factory approved 

features such as the: mechanical footage counter, shutter position indicator, more rugged hand crank and 

French Flag holder, that are all still present.
We have very gently cleaned the camera and conservation treated all leather and lubricated some of the geared internal movement of this camera but retained ALL of the original wear, aged surfaces and patina of this circa over 108 year old artifact. All remaining leather is Circa 1908 original (Moroccan pigskin) as is all the paint and (~bois gaine~) wood. The factory original leather carry strap is broken but still remains attached as the original leather strap, also from Circa 1908.
  All parts are original and the hand crank turns the camera movement easily. This same model and vintage Pathe 35mm camera was used to film ~Birth of a Nation~, released in 1915, as well as thousands more feature films before WW 1. More 35mm films were shot on this model camera before WW 1, than with any other camera of that era.
Typically, heavily used and unpreserved wood, leather and steel turn into rust and dust after 100 years. Nicer examples of this model camera have usually been overly restored with new leather, paint and wood and polished brass and while pretty, do not retain the complete overall originality of an example like the Pathe Professional Type X presented here.
When these are found they are usually very worn out or worse: scraps of wood and metal and not working as these were the workhorse cameras of the early century cinema industry.
     This camera represents a unique opportunity for a collector to own a fully original French made, USA sold and prepared, unmolested example of the Pathe 35mm Professional Type X, from Circa 1908. Also included with the camera is the circa 1905 wood with geared head early tripod, pictured. The tripod is period accurate and appears to have been made in England. We are still researching the tripod and head maker. A perfect tripod on which to set this Pathe survivor.
What we know about this camera is that is was originally owned by an American cameraman. We have not been able to find his name in the records of ASC cinematographers or other records that we could review so he must have been an wealthy amateur or very independent professional cameraman. The camera had been in his family all these years and a family member brought the camera to us for consignment sale. 
This camera is complete with all internal movement parts, 2 original film magazines, one spare original magazine, a Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 5cm taking lens, rare French flag holder, hand crank and original steel spring magazine drive belt.
    We estimate that the camera was originally purchased from the USA Pathe Distributor in NYC Circa 1908. We feel this is the case because there are some options on the camera that were typically installed by the USA distributor and we discuss these in the listing here. We were very excited to see this camera in 100% original state with crumbly leathers and all original finishes. The camera never was restored or even cleaned but sat stored in boxes all these years. The side viewfinder is not present and the hand crank is not the French original that we are familiar with.
The existing crank is quite ingenious in design as it has a curved and machined brass shaft between the camera coupling and the wood handle to allow for a mans large hand and sleeve to keep its distance from the controls on the camera body. The original French crank was straight shafted which could allow for the cranking hand or sleeve to brush against the eyepiece flip down cover or other dials on the body. Also the wood hand knob is more petite than the original to allow for a better and more delicate finger grip as opposed to a 'fist' grip. In any case, the crank may be what was supplied by the USA sales distributor or it may be a old vintage replacement.
We estimate that the hand crank was either a USA distributor replacement option that is a more rugged and better ergonomically suited to the camera body shape or is a custom built replacement from the original time of the camera.
   Also ALL of the original leathers are on this camera. They have not ever been restored, aggressively cleaned or replaced. Most Pathe's have new or recent or restored or non original leathers. There is significant loss to these original leathers and wood but they ARE 100% original and that is very rare. Also ALL the metal components are also original and not restored in any way. We gently cleaned this camera with an eye for retaining ALL of the original patina.
The camera has matching numbers throughout plus all original maker's ID numbers that match and is a very rare, completely original, example. With the exception of the hand crank originality, which may actually be original from the USA selling distributor, this is as original as it gets.
We use a special and exclusive original late 1800's formulated colorless leather balm to hand clean and nourish the leathers without changing the originality. This is a preservation technique that we have perfected over the years. We also use other proprietary products to gently clean off dirt but not change the patina of the metal, wood and other interior and exterior surfaces of our cameras. So we therefore feel the rarity of this camera is in the unmolested condition as we present it. Even the museum collection Pathe Professional Model X cameras that we have seen around the world, show SOME signs of major or minor restorations and / or aggressive cleaning to wood, metal and leathers. Our Pathe does not have that issue.

 There is some gear noise running in the forward mode, but the reverse mode sounds and feels perfect and smooth.
 We do not wish to do any mechanical service to this camera for fear of changing the original nature of it.
More photos are available at the buyers request. Please note that the original leather door pull for the movement door exists and was left off for some photos during cleaning. But it does show in other photos here.
This is a rare opportunity to own a true cinema relic.

 ~Like artifacts of an ancient civilization -
these rare legends
production equipment technology -
of early Motion Picture and related
 
have a secure and appreciating
place in history.~
 
 



 About Our Firm, "CinemaAntiques":

We specialize in CERTIFIED Cinema Equipment Antiques and Artifacts Circa 1900 to 1969 and beyond, representing the Art Nouveau, Machine Age, Art Deco, Industrial Age and Mid Century Periods.

 

 We have dedicated workshops, warehouses and galleries where we prepare, display and sell our rare Motion Picture equipment antiques.
 

We offer one of the most complete and accurately curated selections of authentic cinema antiques, for sale, in the world. Many of our items were used in actual Hollywood Feature Motion Pictures, and we can only imagine the Movie Stars and entertainment Giants that paraded in front of these lights and cameras. As decorative “sculpture” or authentic Hollywood Cinema and Entertainment Memorabilia, our cinema antiques offer both a collectible and historical piece of the Hollywood Movie Industry, while at the same time presenting as an artistic and industrial piece of sculpture for your home, business or collection.
Our cinema equipment antiques are perfect for display in residential, industrial and museum settings. Collectors and museums worldwide are some of our clients.
 

  

 All items sold and offered are presented as fairly and honestly as possible and we offer a limited return policy on most items sold. Please inquire about this return policy.
  We also offer a signed and sealed Certificate of Authenticity with all antique items sold. 

We have been active collectors and curators of vintage Motion Picture Equipment for over 49 years. During this time we have amassed a superb and rare ongoing collection of antique: movie cameras, Hollywood studio lights, film studio audio / microphones and other highly collectible artifacts of the Hollywood Film Production Industry.
 

 We are experts in our field and have done certified cinema movie equipment appraisals for Banks, have served as Expert Witnesses in the legal system and have given our expert guidance to various museums.
 
 All of our antiques are guaranteed to be as described and photographed. 


We offer partial or full refurbishment and various levels of restoration services at our Workshop. All antique items sold are carefully preserved, cleaned and gently prepared at no extra charge according to the wishes of our buyers. We prefer to offer original ‘preserved’ cinema equipment antiques showing original patina and use from years of cinema production work. However, minor to full restoration is available at additional cost.
 

Our President and Chief Curator is always personally available to discuss your individual needs and queries.