CC Harrison Mammoth Lens

[goamules]

T-minus 13 minutes and counting, for the CC Harrison Mammoth that is selling.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/273760858859

[goamules]

$15,600 sold. That's got to be a record. Some lens scholars say only 10 or 20 Mammoth size were ever made.

[Hugo Zhang]

It is going to be used on a 24x30 wet plate camera.

[Dave Wooten]

Nice! Congratulations to both buyer and seller!

[Mark Sawyer]

It is going to be used on a 24x30 wet plate camera.

Ummm... personal knowledge?

[goamules]

Can the buyer let us know the actual focal length when it arrives? The "Mammoth" term changed over the years, as did the plate sizes.

CC Harrison made lenses in a 4-4 size (wholeplate), then an "Extra 4-4", and a 8-4, and finally a Mammoth, all with the iris.

[Steven Tribe]

I am not absolutely sure that all the bidders were aware of what they are bidding for in this auction!

The term "Petzval" is used correctly, but it is the alternative F11 design called the Orthoscopic. It is also described in the listing as the Orthoscopic.

Our Own CCHarrison has a super article with lots of patent dates and drawings of the iris design and lenses.

https://www.antiquecameras.net/1857ccharrisonlens.html

[Hugo Zhang]

Based upon the diameter and focal length of the lens, it is about f/6.

[Steven Tribe]

Yes, I did the calculation of advertised focal length and the front lens diameter (making F6) but the CCHarrison article says F11 and the rear pair has a smaller diameter. It may be a question of focusing wide open, but reducing the 6 bladed aperture down to F11 for use. It has been reported as been only made in 1857/1858.

[Hugo Zhang]

We will find this out soon.