Leotax ‘Silhouette’ – a French Connection?

Here’s an advertisement that appeared in the Asahi Camera Yearbook 1958.

leotax silhouette

Leotax TV advertisement from Asahi Camera Yearbook 1958. Other than this ad, I haven’t seen any other mention that the TV was also known as the Silhouette. Leotax went on to name two other cameras – Merite and Elite.

It’s important to point out that Leotax, for the most part, did not engrave the names of their cameras on the top plates so you won’t find cameras that have Silhouette, Merite, or Elite on them. So far I’ve seen these names in advertisements, in a sales brochure, and on a box.

leotax merite box with logo

My box with the name Merite vice Merit as it is incorrectly known.

leotax merite ad

Flyer from 1959 clearly shows the camera as being the Merite.

If you’d like to know more about the Leotax Camera Company please visit my good friend Paul Sokk’s site at http://www.yashicatlr.com/Leotax.html. Paul’s done an excellent job at compiling some of the best information anywhere about Leotax (and a bunch of other things too).

Thanks for stopping by and if you have anything you’d like to share with me about Leotax please do so in the comments. I would especially like to see more examples of Leotax boxes and advertisements (and brochures). – Chris

Be sure to visit my camera shop hosted by Etsy at http://www.ccstudio2380.com

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