Results 1 to 5 of 5

Thread: Bausch & Lomb Tessar licensing.

  1. #1
    Kyle M.'s Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
    Location
    New Haven OH
    Posts
    57

    Bausch & Lomb Tessar licensing.

    Does anyone here know when approximately B&L Tessars stopped being marked with the Zeiss name? I have heard prior to WWI but am not sure how accurate that information is. I've also heard that the serial # blocks used were all over the place and lenses in the 2,000,000 range have been found from the 30's-40's and others from much earlier. I'm looking at a 5x7 1c which I believe to be 190mm base on this chart. http://www.allenrumme.com/lensdb/Bau...and%20Lomb.htm The exact lens I'm looking at is marked "5x7 Bausch & Lomb Zeiss-Tessar Series 1c." The serial number is 1,413,573 which according to some unnoficial B&L serial # charts I've found is way beyond any recorded range before they went to the lettering system. According to another source the Zeiss-Tessar marking was dropped when Zeiss stopped licensing the Tessar design to B&L sometime prior to WWI. Just kind of curious how old this lens may be. Thanks in advance for any info.

  2. #2

    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    AZ
    Posts
    4,431

    Re: Bausch & Lomb Tessar licensing.

    I believe the serial number lists are controversial for accurate dating. In 1892 they were licenced to make Zeiss lenses. According to The History of Foreign Investment in the United States, 1914-1945, Zeiss sold it's interest to the B&L family prior to America entering WWI (1918).

    And this http://tedbrink.webs.com/usabauschlombstory.htm: "Bausch & Lomb's arrangement with Zeiss unraveled after the outbreak of World War I. The company had sold the Allies equipment without Zeiss's approval in Europe, which was not one of Bausch & Lomb's markets. In 1915 Zeiss sold its 20 percent share back to Bausch & Lomb, and until 1921, the two companies had no dealings with one another (although Bausch & Lomb continued to use Zeiss patents). " I'm looking for a reference, but would say by 1915 they started making their own glass (previously it was imported from Germany), and had no Zeiss investment, so there is a good chance at that date they stopped putting "Zeiss" on their barrels.

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Dec 2001
    Location
    NJ
    Posts
    8,470

    Re: Bausch & Lomb Tessar licensing.

    Based on Zeiss Kodak Anastigmats (Tessar Ics and IIbs) made by B&L for EKCo, B&L last used the Zeiss name in 1915.

    Kyle, go to the horse's mouth, not to Allen's lists. Visit www.cameraeccentric.com, which has many B&L catalogs.

  4. #4
    Kyle M.'s Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
    Location
    New Haven OH
    Posts
    57

    Re: Bausch & Lomb Tessar licensing.

    Thanks to both of you.

  5. #5

    Re: Bausch & Lomb Tessar licensing.

    Not an answer to your question, but you can read about the partnership in this book as of 1908

    https://books.google.com/books?id=fP...0zeiss&f=false

    Dan

    Antique & Classic Camera Blog
    www.antiquecameras.net/blog.html

Similar Threads

  1. Bausch & Lomb 1c Tessar
    By David Michael Bigeleisen in forum Lenses & Lens Accessories
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 16-Jun-2010, 10:13
  2. Bausch & Lomb 5x7 Tessar
    By Athiril in forum Lenses & Lens Accessories
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 22-Jun-2009, 08:57

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •