To the intrepid researchers on this site, I need some help. I took a chance on what looks like a small petzval. The pictures were very blurry and I have to trust the seller read the engraving correctly: "John schuerholz & Co New York" Why did I buy it? Because that type of formal script engraving is usually on Early American lenses, from the 1850s - 1870s. And because New York was the center of the universe for early radial drive portrait lenses like CC Harrison and Holmes Booth Haydens that everybody knows. But also a handful of more obscure radial drive makers. The pictures don't even show the drive, which would have really answered my hypothesis quickly. So I decided to buy and find out. If anyone has heard of this John Schuerholz (not the baseball manager), in any period advertisements, let me know. I've been stumped so far in my research.
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