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Scott --
23-Dec-2010, 08:42
Hi, all -

I got a new lens in the mail today - a 5-1/2" Petzval, with a funky lil' maker's mark I've never seen before:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5009/5285852356_b6e4973823_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/scott--/5285852356/)
Whatzit? (http://www.flickr.com/photos/scott--/5285852356/) by Scott -- (http://www.flickr.com/people/scott--/), on Flickr

Anyone recognize this? It covers 4x5 wonderfully, might swirl on 5x7.

Thanks for any help.
Scott

Two23
23-Dec-2010, 09:49
The nickel plating on the barrel makes me think it dates to around 1900, but I'll let someone more knowledgeable comment.


Kent in SD

Steven Tribe
23-Dec-2010, 09:59
Many magic lantern makers engraved their name on the objectives they almost invariably bought elsewhere. There are search opportunities if you write C & C, Magic Lantern etc on a Google search as there are lists of makers online. I think I have seen this engraving before.

Scott --
27-Dec-2010, 16:37
A google search for +C&C +petzval +"magic lantern" in various permutations gives me no usable results. I am surprised, though, that no one here recognizes this'n...

goamules
27-Dec-2010, 17:05
Most ML lenses are either marked with an address and company name, or with nothing. A maker's mark is very hard to trace. I've never seen it.

Steven Tribe
27-Dec-2010, 18:53
Magic Lanterns were sold by "General" stores as well as by specialist photographic suppliers - thereby increasing the number of different engavings found. Another problem is that special interest groups (Religious movements especialy) probably often bought magic lanterns in bulk as they were seen as effective new educational technology. A great many of the sets of slides offered on e**y have religious or "Visit to the Holy Land" themes.

Scott --
29-Aug-2012, 09:18
Resurrecting this. Recently saw this mark on a lens on eBay. Was a French manufacturer, but I can't find the name anymore. Anyone have an idea this time 'round?

Jody_S
29-Aug-2012, 12:22
I've seen this before, and I assumed it was Gasc & Charconnet. However a quick search tells me this is unlikely.

Scott --
31-Aug-2012, 15:50
I *think* that's what I've seen before, too, Jody, but google doesn't support it.

Anyone else have an idea?

goamules
31-Aug-2012, 17:27
Definitely NOT a Gasc Charconnet, who by the late 1880s were Clement and Gilmer anyway. It's probably an optical company that made glasses.