Japanese Cameras Ltd Catalogues

The illustrations below are of the front and back covers of 'Japanese Cameras Limited' catalogues from 1959 to 1969. Also shown (RHS) are text extracts relevant to the evolving development of marketing Minolta equipment by Japanese Cameras Ltd.

They date from probably the earliest Japanese Cameras Ltd. catalogue.

The London showroom address of Wardour Street, established in 1956, appears in the first catalogue. This showroom address becomes Noel Street by the 1963 catalogue and Regent Street in the 1966 catalogue.


Year
Printed

Front Cover

Back Cover

Comments

1959

120 x 190mm
12 pages incl. outer pages (no separate cover)


Japanese Cameras Ltd
50, Piccadilly, Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent

Catalogue 1959

August
1961
(AP _Aug61)

187 x 122mm; Price 9d (4p)
36 pages plus cover
Printed by: John P Norman Ltd
Roden Street & Liverpool Street, Nottingham

1961 Catalogue, 3rd Edition
Head Office:
Japanese Cameras Ltd
50 Piccadilly, Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs.

London Office and Showroom:
36 Wardour Street, Piccadilly, London W1
Tokyo Office:
2 Ogawa-cho, 3-Chome, Kanda, Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo, Japan

1962-63

125 x 185mm; Price 9d (4p)
48 pages plus cover
Printed by: John P Norman Ltd
Nottingham, England

1962 / 63 Catalogue, 2nd Edition (Aug 1962)
On the inside front cover is the message:
"This is the first catalogue wherein the only items not freely available are Binoculars. As from the 1st January, 1962, the import restrictions on all photographic equipment from Japan have been completely removed and you, the customer, have full freedom of choice for the first time."

Head Office:
Japanese Cameras Ltd
50 Piccadilly, Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs.

London Office and Showroom:
36 Wardour Street, Piccadilly, London W1
Tokyo Office:
2 Ogawa-cho, 3-Chome, Kanda, Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo, Japan

1963

These comments, extolling the quality of 1960 Japanese photographic equipment, especially from Minolta, appear on the penultimate page of the 1962 and 1963 catalogues.

Minolta is literally, according to the sketch, 'right at the top of the tree'.

 

1963 Catalogue, 2nd Edition (Sep 63)
London Office and Showroom:
21 Noel Street, Wardour Street, London W1

Yokohama Office:
Japanese Cameras Ltd,
C.P.O. Box 420, Yokohama, Japan
Manager - David L Sneen

1964

125 x 185mm; Price 9d (4p)
48 pages plus cover
Printed by: John P Norman Ltd
Nottingham, England

1964 Catalogue

Head Office:
Japanese Cameras Ltd
50 Piccadilly, Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs.

London Office and Showroom:
21 Noel Street, Wardour Street, London W.1
Tokyo Office: Room 123
Sanbancho Hotel, 1 Sanbancho, Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo, Japan

1965

Notice on the inside front cover

125 x 185mm; Price 9d (4p)
52 pages plus cover
Printed by:
Trafford Press Ltd
London & Manchester.

1965 Catalogue
Head Office:
Japanese Cameras Ltd
50 Piccadilly, Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs.

London Office and Showroom:
21 Noel Street,
Wardour Street,
London W.1

1966


52 pages plus cover
Printed by: Frank Cottrell Ltd; Crewe
London Office and Showroom:
Regent House, 235-241 Regent Street, London W.1

1967


185 x 115mm; Price 9d (4p)
56 pages plus cover

Printed by: Frank Cottrell Ltd, Crewe

1966 Catalogue

Head Office:
Japanese Cameras Ltd
50 Piccadilly, Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs.

London Office and Showroom:
Regent House, 235-241 Regent Street, London W.1

1968-69


185 x 115mm; Price 9d (4p)
48 pages plus cover

Printed by: Frank Cottrell Ltd, Crewe

1966 Catalogue

Head Office:
Japanese Cameras Ltd
50 Piccadilly, Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs.

London Office and Showroom:
Regent House, 235-241 Regent Street, London W.1


This page last modified: 6th September 2009