Strange

[Jan_6568]

I got myself a new old lens on e-bay. It arrived yesterday. The engravings on the brass read Standard Optical Co., Standard Symmetrical f6.8, Newark NJ, 8x10, Equi. 12 1/2. As suggested the lens seems to be of RR type and has maximum f6.8 aperture. It came mounted in the most barbarian way I have ever seen in the non-original Baush and Lomb brass shutter. I removed the lens form this non functioning shutter, cleaned the glass and tried it on Ilex #4 shutter. I initially wanted to have this lens mounted in this shutter. To my surprise the lens threads fitted the shutter, moreover, the aperture scale on the shutter begins with f 6.8. On the other hand it seems not possible that by chance this lens was indeed originally mounted in Ilex #4 as it is most likely much earlier then the shutter.
What do you think of that? Anyone has some information on this mysterious Standard Optical Co. of Newark NJ?

best wishes,

Jan

[Mark Sawyer]

Nothing in Kingslake's "A History of the Photographic Lens". Nothing in the Lens Vade Mecum either; the only lens maker in Newark was Hanovia, maker of an interesting-sounding meniscus soft focus lens called the Kalosat somewhere around 1920.

[big_ben_blue]

I go an Standard Double Anastigmat F6.8 Equi 12 in barrel of said company. Judging by the look and the camera it came with, I guess mine to be from around 1900. Hope yours is in better shape than mine (makes a nice paperweight, but is otherwise unusable).

[Jan_6568]

Mark, thank you for checking this. Too bad that there was nothing there.

big_ben_blue: it seems your lens was made by the same company as mine. Mine was actually advertised on e-bay as paperweight , and this is not the first time it turns a good deal. After cleaning the glass is almost pristine. I got read off the old shutter which I am sending for parts to Carol Miller at Flutot's and will mount it in the Ilex.
I also would make a guess that my lens was made in early 1900 and this is why it is so surprising that it fits Ilex #4 which was made 50 years latter as far as I know.

Jan