Unusual Canon P

[David Murphy]

I have a Canon P with the letters "TE" engraved on the accessory-shoe inscribed in a small box-like boundary. Doing a Google search I noticed that there are a few others like this "out there". Does anyone have any idea what-in-the worlds this means?

 

[rogue_designer]

All I've found is this:
"This camera has a special engraving on its accessory shoe that I'm not able to determine exact origin (the preceeding owner told me he bought the camera new at a camera store in Seattle in the late sixties). The engraving consists in the capital letters TE in a rectangle. Paint is black. Seems uncommon. The location of that engraving on the accessory shoe seemed strange to me (since such markings were more often situated on the top plate) until I see a model P with the EP mark also engraved on the cold shoe.
Peter Dechert's opinion is that it was more likely a camera used by some organisation such as a Newspaper Office etc., not a Canon engraving.
Peter Kitchingman is a Canon Rangefinder researcher (Requesting Canon RF Cameras and Lens Serial # for its research database - see website : http://www.canonrangefinder.com ) and has recorded three cameras with the "TE" engraving to date."

From here: http://photocam.ibelgique.com/canon.htm

Curious to know what you learn.

 

[David Murphy]

Yes this is about all I was able to find out too, but I think the fact that I've now got the fourth recorded "TE" P seems to deep-six the theory that it's an owners marking. I wonder what it's worth -- probably no way to tell except to auction it on eBay -- so I may keep it till there is some clarity here. Thanks for digging for the info.

All I've found is this:
"This camera has a special engraving on its accessory shoe that I'm not able to determine exact origin (the preceeding owner told me he bought the camera new at a camera store in Seattle in the late sixties). The engraving consists in the capital letters TE in a rectangle. Paint is black. Seems uncommon. The location of that engraving on the accessory shoe seemed strange to me (since such markings were more often situated on the top plate) until I see a model P with the EP mark also engraved on the cold shoe.
Peter Dechert's opinion is that it was more likely a camera used by some organisation such as a Newspaper Office etc., not a Canon engraving.
Peter Kitchingman is a Canon Rangefinder researcher (Requesting Canon RF Cameras and Lens Serial # for its research database - see website : http://www.canonrangefinder.com ) and has recorded three cameras with the "TE" engraving to date."

From here: http://photocam.ibelgique.com/canon.htm

Curious to know what you learn.

 

[LeicaTom]

Could be a marking of an Importer? Or maybe something like a factory test camera?

This is something new to me and interesting in Canon markings

Tom

 

[Terao]

I have a TE Canon P. Serial is 766168. Looks identical to my other unmarked body.

 

[LeicaTom]

You will have to acquire one of these cameras Tom.

A CANON "P" with your own personal initials "TE".

Now that's something "special".

Hahahhaahha that`s KRAZY.....yeah I`ve got to have a "TE" Canon P 😀

Tom

PS: Someone mentioned that this might mean "Tax Exempt"
MAYBE? it`s a duty free stamp etc. Because so many countries in the 1950`s had high taxes on Camera and Optical equipment

 

[David Murphy]

Actually Tom I had just posted the P here for sale on RFF when I realized it was unusual so I killed the ad. I'll probably put it on eBay tomorrow evening so look for it there if you are serious about wanting it. That's the place where sometimes big money is paid for quirks like this.

"TE" branded P's RULE!! (just kidding)

 

[Palaeoboy]

PS: Someone mentioned that this might mean "Tax Exempt"
MAYBE? it`s a duty free stamp etc. Because so many countries in the 1950`s had high taxes on Camera and Optical equipment

I think you may be one the right track here, many years ago I saw a Nikon F with a non original marking (But I cant remember exactly whether it was TE or not) and was told that it was a tax exemption mark related to sales in certain British Commonwealth Countries at the time. At a guess I think that one is quite feasible.

 

[kb244]

I'd agree that Tax-Exempt might be a logical assumption.

Course I'd be more tempted to get a P that had some of the japanese military engraving such as the navy cherry blossom. 😛 (not that it makes the camera work any better 😀)

You could just tell people TE = Truely Exemplarary.