A source of valuable data on French lens makers and their products.

[Steven Tribe]

This has been mentioned some time ago in this section in connection with a Hermagis identification.

This is A-Z series of booklets covering French Lenses from 1839 until 1939. Some makers have their own monogram (like Jamin/Darlot, Berthiot and Hermagis) but most are in alphabetically grouped 30 page booklets. The one I have in front of me includes the following bigger names:

Faller
Francais
Gasc & Charconnet/Laverne/Clement & Gilmer

as well as dozens of minor makers.

The booklets have a price of €30 each and it is obvious it is for the collectors market, rather than for practioners. However, the information for identication of specific lenses is by far the best I have seen.

I bought the above booklet as it contained a photo of an "unknown" Gasc & Charconnet petzval I had just acquired. Thanks to the booklet, I can see:

- it was made from 1862 and called the 3rd series "Objectif simplifies"
- the patent with diagrams of usage are illustrated.
- it was made in 6 sizes (no. 17 - 22). Mine is probably no.18 covering 11x16cm!
- that it is engraved with 7 rue Chaponn which was G & C's first address.

Quite apart from specific information I was needing, I can see that the american agents (Bryant, Codman and Swindon Earp Cameras) are identified, as well it gives an extensive description of the history of the change-over to CLement & Gilmer.

These booklets are produced in a 100 examples each and a whole collection would require an investment. I will probably buy a few more (at last an idea for christmas presents I can pass on!).
I thought it might be useful to have a list of the copies which have been bought by contributors here. People who would be willing to post data on request about specific lenses and makers. I have a great deal of respect for Patrice Pont and Jean Loup Princelle for making this A-Z which is a unique source. So no reproductions, just content of text.

Website, with samples of pages from each booklet, can be found through google le reve edition.

[CCHarrison]

If anyone is interested - I have one of these for sale that covers makers Boutan to Carpentier. These are really high quality publications. 31 pages. please message me.

[alex from holland]

I have these for Hermagis and Darlot. Great source!

[Steven Tribe]

Alex, do they list the summary of catalogue listings of the various versions and sizes made, like the Gasc & Charconnet section does?

I have written to the authors asking whether they have plans for some kind of restricted follow-up, where they could print the data for a single Maker (or sequence of makers, like Lerebours/Lerebours & Secretan). I realise that the original concept was an A-Z coverage of all registered makers in a limited edition of 100. But demand for data sheets on specific makers alone is probably greater and could be met without comprimising the publishing concept.

[Steven Tribe]

I now own volume 16 which covers from Demaria to Duploich. This includes the important names of Derogy and Dubroni (Which I now understand to be an anagram of the owner Bourdin!).

Information will be freely given to anyone who has need of it!

[Pfsor]

Thanks to the booklet, I can see:

- it was made from 1862 and called the 3rd series "Objectif simplifies"


The name you write is surely not correct. It is either "Objectif simplifié" or "Objectifs simplifiés". Cheers!

[Steven Tribe]

I have now added the french language alternative keyboard to include the acute accent!

The text has the objectifs simplifiés written as obj. simplifiés, so I didn't automatically think plural!

[Steven Tribe]

I thought I might mention that the range of publications is increasing.
But, on the other hand, some of these are now "sold out"!

A recent addition is no. 24 which includes Lerebours et Secretan.

[Steven Tribe]

I have some concerns about the publishing of these comprehensive booklets on French lens makers in the 19th century. The website seems to be
unchanged for some time and the “booklets under development” section is now completely empty. I know that at couple of years ago there were some entries there and I had some minor editing correspondence with them (Lerebours/Vallantin/Colas) which involved a Little proof reading.

Can anyone put my mind at rest?

[Petzval Paul]

Is there a link that I'm missing? Is there a website somewhere?

[Ron (Netherlands)]

Is there a link that I'm missing? Is there a website somewhere?
http://www.lereveedition.com/en/

Since I recently got hold of a little Darlot lens I've tried to buy one of their editions through paypal, but it didn't work out....
<edit> After the below info from Steven I've sent them a message by e-mail which worked great - got a copy in about 1,5 week...

[Steven Tribe]

The Darlot guide was sold put some years ago, but may have been reprinted since. Last time I bought one, I think I wrote through the website mail system requesting confirmation of availability. I paid through PayPal.

[Ron (Netherlands)]

The Darlot guide was sold put some years ago, but may have been reprinted since. Last time I bought one, I think I wrote through the website mail system requesting confirmation of availability. I paid through PayPal.

Thanks Steven, just asked whether the Darlot guide is still available. From the site it is not clear which numbers are sold out.
How is the quality of the paper and the print of these little livres?

[Ron (Netherlands)]

Just got a message from Jean-Loup Pricelle that the edition (nr. 14) is still available; so I just ordered one.

[Steven Tribe]

Good!
I have the impression that the original print of 100 numbered copies of each booklet has been added too! Only one of booklets I have has a number alongside the “ /100”!

[Dan Fromm]

Good!
I have the impression that the original print of 100 numbered copies of each booklet has been added too! Only one of booklets I have has a number alongside the “ /100”!

I agree. When I was deciding whether to write my Berthiot article I bought a copy of their Berthiot pamphlet. It too doesn't have a serial number. Their original idea of limiting the number of copies produced was very odd.

[Ron (Netherlands)]

Today I received my copy of the Darlot booklet (vol.14).... not numbered but signed!

...good also for improving my french language :-)

https://kpmg0072.home.xs4all.nl/Darlot/Jamin%20-%20Darlot.jpg

[Steven Tribe]

This has the standard layout of the booklets I have - the Hermagis one has a more simple layout with no complex photo montages of different versions/sizes etc.
Actually, the left- hand page shows the Darlot Jamin version I have under treatment at the moment! I think some of the parts you display come from this model too - with central washer stops.
Will be adding a couple to my thin Xmas list - just enough time to get here from la belle France!

[Steven Tribe]

Well, my Christmas present arrived AFTER Christmas.
Jamin/Darlot edition. It doesn’t appear to clear up some of the confusion about the range and variations around 1855-1858 but contributes some novel versions!

Enclosed was an Update on current status which I reproduce here!

This appears to have been expanded compared with the current website status.

[Ron (Netherlands)]

Thanks Steven for this info.
They seem to distinguish between "dossiers complet" and numbered dossiers; although this doesn't make clear why the numbered ones are not "complet" yet.

[Dan Fromm]

complet means sold out. Remember, the publisher claims that the print run -- 100 -- was chosen to ensure that the pamphlets would be valuable collectors' pieces.

[Ron (Netherlands)]

complet means sold out. Remember, the publisher claims that the print run -- 100 -- was chosen to ensure that the pamphlets would be valuable collectors' pieces.

Thank you Dan, makes it clear.

[Jim Andrada]

I emailed them to ask about the Darlot edition and they said it's sold out but they would put me on the list for the next batch.

[Ron (Netherlands)]

I emailed them to ask about the Darlot edition and they said it's sold out but they would put me on the list for the next batch.

Then I must have been lucky since I got my copy about 1,5 month ago ....

[Dan Fromm]

Jim, Ron, see post #22 above. The seller has changed its mind or lied from the start.

[Jim Andrada]

Business models are always subject to change. They were quite pleasant when I contacted them and sent me PDF's of the sold out publications I was interested, in so I'd be more inclined to think they changed their model based on how people responded rather than "lied" from the outset. Even though they didn't specifically require it, I committed to buy a set and not share the PDF's.

[Steven Tribe]

I have always found friendliness and good service from “le reve edition”. I must have received the “very last!!” Jamin/Darlot between Xmas and the New Year. At least, until there are more!
It is not the best of their publications. Perhaps the sources are poor, but there is no information about sizes available or reliable dating, apart from the Jamin Patents of the 50’s. It illustrates that Darlot didn’t actually develop the range very much from the legacy of Jamin.

[Dan Fromm]

Steven, re the quality of the information in Le Reve Edition's pamphlets, I bought their Berthiot pamphlet before starting serious work on my Berthiot LF anastigmats article. Their account of Berthiot's LF anastigmats -- I can't addess what they said about older lenses -- is incomplete and inaccurate. Not badly or badly, but imperfect. Par for the course. I don't regret buying their Berthiot pamphlet. Much, much better than the damn little (see, e.g., the VM) that it replaced.