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More Rare NBC Color Caravan Photos! St. Louis, July 9-10 1954

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Eyes Of A Generation.com

More Rare NBC Color Caravan Photos! St. Louis, July 9-10 1954

This is most likely one of the 25 RCA TK40s built in April of ’54. Later in the year, the TK41 debuted. The lens is a design originally known as the Walker Electra Zoom, built by famed Paramount cinematographer Joseph Walker, but bought by RCA and Zeiss in 1952. Love the rails.
This was the first stop on the 10 week tour of the midwest and east. The lady is Eve Hunter from the “Home” show, where this was shown on NBC. Notice the zoom demand box on the left pan handle, focus demand was in the right pan handle.
Live color feeds were sent to NY to air in 15 minute segments in either the “Today” show, or the mid morning, Arline Francis hosted “Home” show.
The Busch Estate is locally known as Grant’s Farm, it was owned by former President US Grant.
Notice that the Zoom focus has been rigged on these cameras to use the right pan handle, which was the focus control. The zoom control box is mounted on the left pan handle, as can be seen in other shots. 3 of these cables are for the red, blue and green channels, and the others are intercom. There are also vent holes on the black bottom frame which I must have only been on the TK40s…never saw these on a TK41.
I just noticed the cool NBC logo on the crest of the trucks. Would love to see the inside of these.

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5 responses to “More Rare NBC Color Caravan Photos! St. Louis, July 9-10 1954”

  1. Steven B Hammel

    Does this suggest TODAY was broadcasting sporadic events in color back in 54?

  2. Curtis Bohl

    According to the NBC Chimes story, the St. Louis visit occurred June 9-10.

  3. Mike Hemeon

    Why don;t you show the CCU of these things and let people see what the entire camera looked like

  4. Steve Dichter

    Outstanding series of photos. This from Radio Age Jan. 1954.

  5. Tom Williamson

    I still find it amazing that a camera that fits in the palm of your hand can produce a picture that is far superior to these. How far we have come. George Jetson would be proud.

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