ICA Serial Numbers System (foundation of the Zeiss ikon System)

[Xipho]

Hello,

I try to get some information about the Numbering System of Ica (predecessor of zeiss Ikon from 1909 to 1926). With the merger of 4 companies to Ica in 1909 they started the "classic Zeiss ikon" number System with letter an number.
With the letter you can date the camera, as we are used in the Zeiss Ikon Cameras.

Does anyone know if they started in 1909 with the letter "A" ?

I have a Ica Plalmos with a 1914 dated Tessar, so the cameras should also be about 1913/14/15
It has the letter "C"

Do you have some dated (maybe my the lens) Ica-Cameras where we could collect the letters here... Also letters of early Zeiss Ikon Cameras would help!

Maybe we can get some light in it. thanks!

[Xipho]

Numbers... there is not edit function!!!
Collecting:

I have a ICA Ideal 6x9 with lens Tessar and compur both 1918: The camera has a "H" number

My Ernemann Heag IV from 1926 (labeled Ernemann ans Zeiss Ikon) still has a ernemann number (1,33 Mio...)

[Steven Tribe]

This is a good idea but the serial numbers will include non-large format cameras (under 9x12cm)?

[Xipho]

This is a good idea but the serial numbers will include non-large format cameras (under 9x12cm)?

He said Jehova....

Companies that also made cameras with formats below 4x5 should be excluded out of this forum!

In the linhof serial number thread the questions about the small linhof are answered too...

[Oren Grad]

If this is primarily a discussion about serial numbers for small/medium format cameras it can be carried on in the Lounge.

[Xipho]

it is not, Ica made a lot of 9x12 cameras between 1909 and 1926...

If you ike we can only collect the Serial numbers of 9x12 cameras, serves the same purpose to get some valid informations out of the Serial numbers.

[Steven Tribe]

Serial numbers on smaller formats could sent to you as a PM? You could make them anonymous and post them here as "ICA" data. Lens/shutters are more rarely changed on smaller folders so the compur numbers would be more reliable.

[Oren Grad]

It would be fine if you keep the thread in the main section focused on 9x12 so that those who are interested specifically in LF don't have to wade through lots of unrelated information. You're welcome to create a companion thread for the smaller formats in the Lounge, with a link from this thread, so that those interested in the whole set for historical or user reasons can easily find the rest of the information.

[IanG]

Do the numbers start with ICA or earlier with Huttig ?

You need to collect serial numbers of all formats/types of ICA cameras ideally to build up a true picture with the lens and shutter serial numbers s as well, so Oren's suggestion is the best option. It won't help that many of the larger cameras were shipped with no lens fitted and the lens of choice was fitted by the dealer or distributor. Lens and shutter serial numbers can vary by a couple of years, sometimes longer with less common lenses.

Ian

[Xipho]

it is useless anyway, as no one has contributed any numbers.... Only dicusssion about formats...

I will try to collect some numbers on apug, I have more hope there.

The Ica cameras were sold with lenses, there are catalogues in the internet. certainly the compur and lens number can vary by one or two years because of stock...
But with the common tessar on Ica I doubt they had such a large stock....