Knuckle-headed?

[CTwist]

Looking at recent sales of Cooke Series VI 13" lenses, it seems the mere presence of knuckles triples or even quadruples the price (321329206842 vs 201038538928 or 321316944505). The information on CC Harrison's page about the Soft focus Cooke VI lenses suggests there are no technical differences between with and without knuckles. Is it collectors pushing the price up or am I missing something?
Thanks, Charles

[Jac@stafford.net]

In the three-item case you gave, my guess is that condition is what pushed the top seller.

[Andrew Plume]

btw, the prices on the auction site of the much shorter fl Cooke Anastigmats, have been rising significantly this year

andrew

[Steven Tribe]

I don't think it is a "Collectors" item in terms of display cabinets. These series VI, and the various soft series II, are, I think, very much items that are being used and do not have the limiting bulk of the big Dallmeyers.

- I am sure the "knuckler" or "spectacle" model is more popular as it is so "spectacular" in appearance, and the slight variations in the early models (with more frequent mechanism problems) make it a safer choice for some.

- Like all Studio Objectives, these can be found in almost "as new" condition with the glorious golden lacquer, but, just as often in a very sad state. Glass is always good though, thanks to 3 simple lens!

- The few post-war coated series II E probably command a premium, as well as any coated series VI. But these coatings can also be in very bad condition!

[dap]

I would say that the presence of the "knuckles" adds a premium. In the niche world that is vintage lenses the cooke knucklers are iconic. Kind of like how factory hood scoops, spoilers, gaudy stripes, and what not add to the desirability of muscle cars. If it looks cool more people will want it (although IMHO the knuckles do actually add to the usability of the lens).

As far as collectors driving the price difference...you bet. I would venture to guess that collectors are responsible for most current soft focus lens prices across the board.

[Amedeus]

I would agree with this assessment ... super condition, sale in Europe (not all US sellers want to ship to Europe and one can get hit hard by customs etc ... ) and the knuckles ...

In the three-item case you gave, my guess is that condition is what pushed the top seller.

[Steven Tribe]

There should also be a premium for lenses that are at least 100 years old - from 1914 or before - as levied taxes in Europe are only a fraction of the usual VAT. Of course, this means you can't use the Global Postage Programme on that site!

I don't know whether this works with items entering the USA?

[CCHarrison]

<<< I would venture to guess that collectors are responsible for most current soft focus lens prices across the board.>>>


Hmm. I disagree, I think users are driving these Cooke prices, not collectors - particularly the longer focal lengths. To me, these Cooke lenses arent that collectible because they were made for 50 years, plenty survive today and they are regularly found in the marketplace (ebay).. In my opinion, users are driving these lenses up in price.....

And, unlike most other antique lenses, with Cooke lenses, users tend to favor the newer versions (knuckles) and shun the earlier (pre WW1) versions.

Dan

[CTwist]

Thanks for your comments. So the knuckler has the prestige of go-faster stripes on cars. It's a lot of money just for a gadget. I hadn't expected users to be so fickle but rather to look at performance. Obviously if the lens is particularly clean or has an interesting provenance, then a higher price is right. With the Cooke Series II there is indeed a lot more variation from one period to the next and from one sub-series to the next. But the Series VI is pretty unchanged in design until the knuckler came along, as far as I can tell. Well, it's good to know we are as human as the non-photographers.

I'll follow up that comment about import taxes for antiques - sounds interesting. Re the Global Shipping Programme, it's not just the fact you automatically get hit by taces. When I used them recently to buy from the US, when the packet arrived at the US depot, it was not just re-labelled with my address, the content was also re-packed. This exposes the content to non-specialised handlers. Unfortunately, my lens got damaged. Worth knowing.

Charles

[dap]

I hadn't expected users to be so fickle but rather to look at performance. Obviously if the lens is particularly clean or has an interesting provenance, then a higher price is right.

Charles

I would say they/we are not so much fickle as superficial. If this were not the case there would be no premium given to cookes in "clean" condition (vs a well worn but fully functioning barrel that housed clean glass...afterall the glass is the important part). Like you said we are just as human as non-photograpers