Argus Rarities -- Darkroom and Other Photographic Products

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Copyright 2008-2022 Phillip G. Sterritt

Last modified 3/24/2022

Items are listed in decreasing order of rarity, where known.

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Darkroom Products

Developing chemicals, paper (1939)

Bromex paper and AR-2 Developer — Perishable, so few examples survive.

Rear-projection "Little Theater" viewing screen for model E Enlarger (1936)

Little Theater attachment for Model E enlarger — Attachment for the original Model E enlarger to make it into a filmstrip projector. No known examples, unknown production.

Cintar enlarging lens for Argostat enlarger (1939)

Cintar lens for Argostat enlarger — The C series lens in a fixed mount, threaded for the Argostat. One known example, unknown production.

Combination safelight and timer, or safelight alone (1939)

Darkroom time and safelight combo — Two known examples of the combo, one known example of the safelight alone. Same clockworks as the International Radio Corp. 'Autime' clock radio, the Argus mantle clocks, and at least one known prewar advertising sign. Unknown production.

Print dryer (1939)

Print dryer — Three known examples. Unknown production.

Argus/F-R 'Complete Photographer' kit with model 75 and darkroom equipment (1950s)

Argus FR Complete Photographer kit — Two known examples. Unknown production.

Electromatic Speed Printer (1938)

Electromatic Speed Printer — Electromatic shown on left, regular Speed Printer on right. The Electromatic has extra controls and internal electronics for improved print quality. A few known examples of the Electromatic. Known serial numbers suggest production perhaps 1,000 units.

Micrograin Easel (1939)

Micrograin easel — Has focusing magnifier built in, which works best with the Argostat enlarger, since it has a focusing knob built into ITS base. The original patent illustration of the Argostat shows it with a similar focus aid built into the baseboard, so IRC presumably decided to split the products for extra sales. Two known examples. Unknown production.

Jig-A-Mat easel (1939)

JigAMat easel — Allows a very patient darkroom worker to print multiple pictures on a single sheet of paper in a 'jigsaw' pattern. Several known examples. Unknown production.

Miscellaneous Photographic Products

Arguspan film, 828 size for Model M camera (1940)

Arguspan 828 film — No known examples, unknown production. The 1960s Argus 127 also came with a roll of film with the Argus logo on it, but this wasn't really an Argus product.

Argus Microfilm Viewer (1938)

Microfilm reader — One known example. Unknown production.

Desk or Mantle clocks with "Argus" logo

Mantle clocks — Probably date from pre-WWII, they have the same clock face as the darkroom safelight with timer and the International Radio Corp. 'Autime' clock radio. Possibly made as gifts for executives. Two known examples, both from Joe Horvat collection.

Large wooden store display models of the 1953 camera line (1953)

1953 wooden display models of cameras — Roughly 4 to 5 times the size of the actual cameras, including C-3, C-4, A-4, 75 and 40. Highly detailed, very accurate (nonfunctional) reproductions of the cameras. Several known examples (no known examples of Model 40), unknown production.

Non-photographic items with Argus logo or products shown

dealer clock — Dealer accessories (counter mats, wall clocks, display cases and stands, etc), pens, cigarette lighters, tie bars, calendars etc. Examples surface sporadically. These are from Joe Horvat collection.

Corporate artifacts

Stock certificate — Employee ID badges, manuals, annual reports, 'Argus Eyes' and 'Argus Dealer Talk' publications, stock certificates, etc. Examples surface sporadically.