HISTORY:
My "world" is 'the arts' and more specifically, music, artwork and hand crafted/decorated chinaware's.
I am not a film enthusiast but an associate has asked me to find new owners for THEIR large collection of photographic and film items ... this is one of those items.
While the world of film or the motion picture industry is not my area of expertise, I am doing my best to establish the condition of each item that I am listing.
Please READ all the details to decide if this item may interest you. I believe that I have just a very limited number of these B&H 7" canisters, I do have others but they are not B&H
These canisters actually had film/a commercial home movie inside them but after discussion with the owner, it was decided to separate the canister from the film ... the latter will be listed at a later time in the future.
Now, on with the description ...
BELL & HOWELL - Film Canister
Made in USA
Patent 1826115
This is a patented designed, originally lodged in USA 1931 and the patent centres around the provision of what the inventor (Charles Ziebath, Chicago) calls the humidor. This patent was assigned to Bell & Howell and was in use for many many years across the range of film canister sizes.
In brief, the humidor allows for the easy determination of humidity within the can with a view to maintain correct humidity levels within the can, humidity being the arch enemy of film!
If you are really into your film, take a look HERE for the full patent description
Not only is this a vintage metal canister, it has loads of design history behind it!
Suits Standard 8mm or Super 8 film format
For use with 7" diameter reels
EMPTY - Awaiting a film reel!
Material: Silver - Grey metal alloy (non-ferrous but I am not convinced it is Aluminium either)
DIMENSIONS:
7.25" OD (184mm) diameter x 1" (25mm) height
WEIGHT: 150g
Although the design was patented in 1931, the reels that I have apparently are of the 1960's ~ 1970's era, according to the owner.
Stamped into the top section of the canister
(downwards curving text)
BELL & HOWELL CHICAGO
(central B&H company shield logo)
(upwards curving text)
MADE IN U.S.A
(Offset from the main stamping, but still stamped into the metal)
PAT. No 1826115
COSMETIC CONDITION:
USED
CLEAN (and now sterilised)
Just the slightest signs (and I mean very slight) of external humidity/oxidisation - looks like a metallic Silver finish has been applied by the manufacturer.
Canister(s) are ALL sound, with no dramatic physical damage
Both sections (top & bottom) fit nice and tightly on all available canisters
NO personal markings or writing on any of the canisters available
To preserve the condition of each canister, I have placed them individually within a strong clear plastic protective package which is now sealed (air-tight)
