Leandro Benigno Carlos Mendoza, known as Marco

Born in Madrid, it is under the name Leandre Mendoza, known as Marco, that he appears in various patents filed in his name, mainly in the late 19th century. Between 1884 and 1898, there are more than a dozen patents directly related to photography.

He was admitted to the French Photographic Society during the general assembly on February 4, 1887. In this capacity, he made several interventions and demonstrations of equipment he had invented. In an issue of the newspaper Le Matin (Paris) dated 05/26/1892, an article recounts the first ascent of the balloon La Photographie française, in which "Mr. Attout-Tailfer, president of the [International Photography Exhibition], and Mr. Marco Mendoza, constructor," took their places with their equipment, "delegate commissioner for Spain and Portugal," and a member of the jury for foreign sections.

Two patents are also filed for automobile construction. He is seen participating in May 1897 in the 1st Longchamp Fleuri automobile event aboard a 2-seat Phaeton 1896.

In October 1900, it is reported in the Bulletin de la Société photographique that Mr. Vavasseur succeeded Mr. Marco Mendoza. According to various advertisements, the mention "L. Vavasseur, successor to Marco Mendoza" appeared as early as 1898. In the newspaper Le Matin of July 13, 1915, there is still mention of Vavasseur "Toutes fournitures photo" at 148 Boulevard Saint-Germain, but the business seems to have disappeared with the First World War. In 1901, Marco Mendoza is found in Neuilly as an automobile manufacturer.

Marco Mendoza's known activity in the field of photography therefore lasted about fifteen years, which probably explains the rarity of his cameras in the collector's market.

Bibliography: P. Fourneret, Marco Mendoza, l'homme au chapeau photographique, Les Fondamentaux n° 69-70, Club Niépce-Lumière, Spring - Summer 2019.