Lerebours Serial Number - Rice Writing
I was looking more closely at this early, quarterplate Lerebours et Secretan lens today, and noticed a glint of something at the edge of the rear glass. At first I thought it was a miniscule edge chip I'd not noticed before.
Then I looked closer....and closer... finally through a loupe. They had engraved the serial number on the glass face, not the usual French practice of pen/pencil marking on the ground edge itself. The number matches the barrel, a cool discovery about these earliest of makers (it's pre 1855). White thing in photo is a grain of rice for scale. Lerebours owners, better go check your glass.
http://www.collodion.com/forum/uploa...rebour9046.jpg
http://www.collodion.com/forum/uploads/688/LERE2.JPG
Re: Lerebours Serial Number - Rice Writing
That is cool Garrett. I will have to check mine which is about the same FL as yours. Do you have a list of their serial numbers/years? Jon
Re: Lerebours Serial Number - Rice Writing
No, I wish I had a serial number list. My research shows they made lenses from 1845 to 1855, but I need to research more to be sure.
Re: Lerebours Serial Number - Rice Writing
I just checked another, larger Lerebours et Secretan I have, it's serial number is also engraved in tiny script on the rear glass. They are ~4000 numbers apart, I have to believe this was a process Lerebours followed. Anyone else check theirs?
Re: Lerebours Serial Number - Rice Writing
Quote:
Originally Posted by
goamules
I just checked another, larger Lerebours et Secretan I have, it's serial number is also engraved in tiny script on the rear glass. They are ~4000 numbers apart, I have to believe this was a process Lerebours followed. Anyone else check theirs?
I checked mine which is about 210mm and it too has serial numbers engraved on the front and back lens. Serial #8941
Jon
Re: Lerebours Serial Number - Rice Writing
This is all very interesting! Could this be an etching (strong acid) rather than engraving? The risks of loosing many days work would otherwise seem to great?
Re: Lerebours Serial Number - Rice Writing
mine look like engraving.
Re: Lerebours Serial Number - Rice Writing
Yes Eddie, the digits look too deep - miniscule diamond drill perhaps? The 0 looks too round for normal engraving techniques?
Re: Lerebours Serial Number - Rice Writing
And now, a challenge: why do you think it was important to serialize the glass along with the barrel?
Here is another one of mine:
http://www.collodion.com/forum/uploa...graved5038.jpg
Re: Lerebours Serial Number - Rice Writing
"And now, a challenge: why do you think it was important to serialize the glass along with the barrel?"
Rampant counterfeiting, it would be difficult the fake the engraving on the glass