question on recently purchased aplanat lens

[Darren Kruger]

I recently won a old barrel lens off of the big auction site (link )and was looking for more information on it. It has E. von Werth Co. and Frankfurt engraved on the barrel. Above the iris is the text "Universal Aplanat <something> Rapid". This is hard to make out as the finish has chips right around the text. I make the focal length out to be around 12" measured from the iris ring. Stops go from f8-64 (with 44 instead of 45.) Possible serial number of 1682.

Does anyone have any information on the manufacturer of this lens and the approximate age?

-Darren

[Gene McCluney]

It is probably a Rapid Rectilinear design, and made sometime between 1901 and 1920. Just my semi-educated guess.

[Ole Tjugen]

"Aplanat" and "Rapid Rectilinear" are more or less synonymous.

I know nothing at all about E. von Werth, which is hardly unusual: There were literally hundreds of opticians making aplanats in the last years of the 19th century (I guess 1890's from the black enamelled barrel, probably late 1890's?).

[Neil Purling]

Have you received the lens yet?
I saw in the auction listing that it had balsam seperation in the front cell.
I think $35.00 is about right given it's condition. Have a play with it anyway and see what you get.