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Author Topic: Vintage projector Stefano Billi Film Handler Posts: 3 From: Grumo Appula, Italy Registered: May 2002 posted 06-08-2002 09:20 AM                     I would like to show you my Pio Pion old projector http://web.tiscali.it/umbriaverde/pio_pion_fedi.htm what do you think about it I will happy to hear your comments Stefano  |  IP: Logged Ken Lackner Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1907 From: Atlanta, GA, USA Registered: Sep 2001 posted 06-08-2002 10:18 AM                     Welcome, Stefano! Very cool. I know someone who has a very similar projector sitting on a shelf in his office. It's jus the projector head, no reels or pedestal. But it looks similar. Like yours, the shutter is in front of the lens. But if I remember correctly, I think his actually had a hand crank!  |  IP: Logged Jerry Chase Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1068 From: Margate, FL, USA Registered: Nov 2000 posted 06-08-2002 10:35 AM                       Ken, you need to take a trip over to Ft. Myers sometime and visit the Edison winter residence. There are a lot of old projectors and historical items on display, most of which are in near mint condition.  |  IP: Logged Gerard S. Cohen Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 975 From: Forest Hills, NY, USA Registered: Sep 2001 posted 06-09-2002 04:05 PM                     Looks like a fine antique! I don't think I've seen a "Pio Pion Fedi" before. Is that it's real name? What might it be in English? Can you supply some history, such as name of manufacturer, when made, where used? Looks like you can spend some happy hours cleaning and making it a nice display piece. Do you plan to restore it? EDIT: Welcome aboard Film-tech! (Do you live in the villa shown on your website?)--Gerard  |  IP: Logged Paul G. Thompson The Weenie Man Posts: 4718 From: Mount Vernon WA USA Registered: Nov 2000 posted 06-09-2002 07:23 PM                     WOW! What date does that machine go back to?  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 06-09-2002 11:21 PM                     Way cool! Can I buy the mate to it? Also, very nice Vespa! Mark @ GTS  |  IP: Logged Stefano Billi Film Handler Posts: 3 From: Grumo Appula, Italy Registered: May 2002 posted 06-10-2002 03:06 PM                     thank you to everybody for your comments I don't have a lot of informations about the projector, anyway I'll try to write what I know... ...Pio Pion was one of the first cinema equipment's manufacturer in Italy (Milano), someone said my machine was made before 1910 the electronic was supplied by another italian pioneer (Fedi) My grandfather buyed the Pio Pion-Fedi from a cinema in Chiusi (Siena's province-Tuscany) to give the chance to see some films in his Umbrian little village the historical village is Panicale in the Trasimeno lake's area (http://web.tiscali.it/umbriaverde) Recently I received an offer to sell the projector, but I don't know the real value and, in the other hand, I'm not the right person to sell somethingh my ancestors buyed with sacrifice and spirit of times Do you have some conseil for me? Thank you again for your attention Stefano  |  IP: Logged Gerard S. Cohen Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 975 From: Forest Hills, NY, USA Registered: Sep 2001 posted 06-10-2002 03:44 PM                     Thanks for the history, Stefano! Your grandfather reminds me of the movie "Cinema Paradiso", where the theatre was a little town's social center and connection to the world. Since it's a family heirloom, you'll probably want to restore the Pio-Pion for display, and possibly for demonstrations. You would need to remove much rust and corrosion, prime and paint some spots, and try to free up the working parts with penetrating oil, and partial disassembly. If you haven't a crank, perhaps you can improvise one, to free the working parts. If reviving the carbon arc is impractical in your location, substituting an incandescent lamp would suffice for demonstrations. The machine may have been sold originally with only a handcrank, and the motor added later. I can't tell if the resistance was used to reduce the voltage for the lamp or the motor, but they might be restored for display only,and not used for demonstration. Surely in that beautiful landscape you must have a fine spot for exhibition of your grandfather's historic machine? Ciao, --Gerard  |  IP: Logged Richard Fowler Film God Posts: 2392 From: Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA Registered: Jun 2001 posted 06-10-2002 04:50 PM                     Pio Pion went out of business in the early 1990's. The early Italian manufacturers made copies of the Pathe projector until they came up with their own designs. Your projector has the add on European soundhead towards the rear which was popular in the early 1930's. Some Pio Pion parts are available through Veronese located in Milan. Richard Fowler TVP-Theatre & Video Products Inc. www.tvpmiami.com  |  IP: Logged Josh Jones Redhat Posts: 1207 From: Plano, TX Registered: Apr 2000 posted 06-10-2002 09:09 PM                        Cinema Paradiso eh?? so where are the 6000 foot magazines full of nitrate Josh ------------------ "Film is made of silver, video is made of rust" 'nuf said  |  IP: Logged

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