Known as the ‘Gaumont Vert’ due to its choice of colour, the Gaumont Chrono CM 35mm hand-cranked projector is now a rare and desirable early movie projector. First released in 1912 and suitable for public use such as cinemas, this projector incorporated their new Maltese Cross system as well as fire-safe film cans (as the early celluloid films were still prone to catch light).
This example is offered in nice complete condition. Indeed apart from an articulated metal flap that protects the reel as it feeds into the lower can and possibly an electric switch unit on the stand, the rest looks basically present and correct. The main head, reels and reel holders retain their original brass work and green paintwork, and the projector and cans look to have had their black finish refreshed many years ago. The stand has just been sympathetically redone as it was badly over-painted by a previous owner and looked wrong. The colour of the stand was matched to remnants of the original green paintwork which was found when it was being stripped back. Interestingly you can see just from the different shades of green incorporated into this set up, Gaumont used several shades for the CM.
While most of these machines had a carbon arc system as their primary light source, this one has an unusual original early Gaumont electric bulb set up which they did offer as an alternative at the time. Possibly not as bright as the carbon arc it was however probably easier to use. The cloth curtain at the back has be re-added to match the original. Importantly the mechanism all turns the way it should.
It is easy to see from the elegant look of this machine why collectors love the Gaumont Vert so much. The colour sums up the spirit of the early movie era and it looks perfect for display in anyone’s living room.
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