Simplex Standard PROJECTOR Ser. No. 52063
RCA Photophone Sound Unit Model LM1 Ser. No. 43344
RCA Photophone Motor Ser. No. 42605
Manufactured by International Picture Projection Corp.
90 Gold Street, New York City
fitted with ASHCRAFT SUPREX Type D Arc Lamp
Another standard Simplex XL
this time of a later manufacture. It is fitted With a
Radio Corporation of America (RCA) LMI Photophone sound
head. This projector originates from the Odeon, Muswell
Hill, London and was in its latter years restored by Barry
Diamondstone, an Odeon projection engineer and donated
to the Collection by Odeon Ltd.
What is unique about this
projector is that it is fitted with an ASHCRAFT SUPREX
carbon Arc lamp, an American import and one of a very
few-if not the the only- to be be found in the UK today.
These Ashcrafts, produced by by the Ashcraft Corporation
of 90 Gold Street, New York are powerful light sources
which could be found in the largest of cinemas seating
thousands of patrons.
ASHCRAFT SUPREX Type D ARC LAMP (fitted to the Simplex
Standard) Serial No. 2862
30-60amp DC
Manufactured by C. Ashcraft, Long Island, New York
The picture shows the Arc
lamp rear door open revealing the traverse mechanism with
just a glimpse of the rear of the mirror within. The Ashcraft
was reckoned to be a 'Rolls Royce' of arc lamps and a
powerful light source thereby found in mainly Super cinemas
with long length of throw. Even so this one is rated at
30-60 which certainly by today's standards is not a really
powerful output. The arc lamp has received the same careful
restoration as Barry has given to the projector.
This image shows the
non- operating side of the projector and particularly
the Ashcrafts bulk. It is a large bodied arc lamp and
somewhat dwarfs the Simplex. The Ashcraft nameplate adorns
the rear door of the lamp house as does the red and aluminium
flash on both upper sides of the lamp body typical of
the company.
It is thought that this
may be one of a very few Ashcrafts in preservation in
the UK and probably the only one. If there are any more
around please contact the Curzon Collection and tell us
of the whereabouts.
