Printed: 2024-04-25
Niell, Magnus
Identity
Category
Person (Male)
Alternative name or descriptor
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Status
- Connected
Details
Life dates
Hurva [SE], 1872 - Hurva [SE], 1962
Activity
1900 * - 1901 / Bruxelles, Rue de Loxum, 30
° 16.6.1872; + 29.3.1962. Camera designer and inventor. Initially described as a photographer in the Brussels population register, then as an engineer. In ABP membership list, name mistranscribed Magnus - Viell. Arrived at this address on 30.7.1900, coming from London [GB]. While still resident in Kew [London, GB], Niell had registered two Belgian patents: for a film-changing bag "protective from light" on 31.10.1899 and for a "photographic system" folding camera on 11.11.1899.
Once in Brussels, Niell formed the partnership of Niell & Simons (see entry) to manufacture and market his designs, in particular the "Lopa" model, an aluminium and leather folding camera for 6.5 x 9 cm plates or sheet film. Niell's brief stay in Brussels must have been considered a failure for he left without informing the municipal authorities in the course of 1901. Niell pursued his business interests firstly in Cologne [D], Probsteigasse 15, from where he filed a British patent on 29.11.1901 for an improved version of the "Lopa" camera, commercialised in Cologne by Niell & Simons. By October 1903, Nieill, still designing cameras, was living in New York City [USA].
° 16.6.1872; + 29.3.1962. Camera designer and inventor. Initially described as a photographer in the Brussels population register, then as an engineer. In ABP membership list, name mistranscribed Magnus - Viell. Arrived at this address on 30.7.1900, coming from London [GB]. While still resident in Kew [London, GB], Niell had registered two Belgian patents: for a film-changing bag "protective from light" on 31.10.1899 and for a "photographic system" folding camera on 11.11.1899.
Once in Brussels, Niell formed the partnership of Niell & Simons (see entry) to manufacture and market his designs, in particular the "Lopa" model, an aluminium and leather folding camera for 6.5 x 9 cm plates or sheet film. Niell's brief stay in Brussels must have been considered a failure for he left without informing the municipal authorities in the course of 1901. Niell pursued his business interests firstly in Cologne [D], Probsteigasse 15, from where he filed a British patent on 29.11.1901 for an improved version of the "Lopa" camera, commercialised in Cologne by Niell & Simons. By October 1903, Nieill, still designing cameras, was living in New York City [USA].
Locations
1900 * - 1901 / Bruxelles, Rue de Loxum, 30
Exhibitions
Genres / subject matter
Techniques
Bibliography/Webography
Context
Affiliations
Affiliated entity
Association belge de Photographie
Type of affiliation
Member of
Dates of affiliation
1900 - 1901
Description of relationship
Management
Record source
DIRECTORY_1997#2890
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation/revision
SFJ revised 22.4.2020 & 28.4.2021 based on information supplied by M. Demaeght