question on recently purchased aplanat lens

[Darren Kruger]

I recently won a old barrel lens off of the big auction site (link (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=110121813907) )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.