Great. That's a IIE, correct?
Great. That's a IIE, correct?
I'm new to the forum, here because I'm researching a Graflex "Century Master Studio" camera (with stand by the same name) I bought today at an estate sale. I believe it was made around 1900. I'm more into motion pictures so not too familiar with still cameras of this era.
The shutter is an Ilexpo by Ilex optical. The lens is a brass "Taylor Hobson Cooke" Portrait Anastigmat, Series VI, F 5.6 "knuckler", serial number 126951, very good condition. The focal length is 22 inch. That's not a misprint- I'm unable to find (so far) any evidence this focal length was ever made. Can anyone shed some light on this lens and it's value?
Beautiful things in your home. That's a wonderful camera and find. Cooke made some extension lenses, so you may have the extension lens front end on what began as a 18" f4.5 someone else may have catalogs and know more about it than I do. Most of the extension lenses were for Series III and Series V. What back does it have on it? Are you going to use it? Are you near me so I can come and talk you out of it:~'))
Jim,
The camera will be strictly for display. I think it may have been displayed for years in a Nashville commercial building that was demolished recently, according to the seller. I wouldn't be surprised if before that it was used by a downtown Nashville photographer in the early 1900's. If the lens has a value on the higher end, such as I've seen on some of the 15" and 18" soft focus lenses, I may sell it and replace with something that just looks the part.
Fred
Wow! Interesting. Does it actually say "22 inch" on the front of the lens? It seems Cooke was willing to take on custom orders. For example the 27" Series IID made in 1931.
Yes, it actually says 22 inch. Does that mean it is definitely a custom order? Also, does the fact that it is a 'knuckler" mean it is post 1924?
The lens Vademecum does mention a 22" Portrait Anastigmat Series VI introduced in 1926, but I don't have a reference in the Cooke catalogs I have access to. 1926 sounds about right in terms of serial number. This is a rare lens. Even the 18" Series VI lenses are fairly uncommon.
Hi Karl,
This is a page from Cooke 1926 catalog. It did mention 22" Series VI and it was made to order only.
Interesting indeed. And a 20" Series IIB listed. Haven't seen one of those yet. This also makes me think the IIB starts earlier in terms of serial numbers than I thought. So far the earliest IIB I have is in the 155,XXX range. The above mentioned 22" VI being in the 126,XXX range makes for the possibility of many IIB lenses between those two. Though the big 27" IID has a serial number earlier than I would have expected for 1931.
I have a 15" IIb with knuckler which serial number is 139736.
Other Cooke portrait lenses I have
26119 13.1" series II with turn the barrel soft focus
159898 12 3/4" IIb with the knuckler
168273 12 3/4" IIc without soft focus
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