Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: Joseph Levi & Co. The European Lens

  1. #1
    Jon Wilson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Idaho
    Posts
    651

    Joseph Levi & Co. The European Lens

    I am trying to find out additional information concerning a 9 inch petzval which was called "The European Lens" and marketed by Joseph Levi & Co. which was in London. I believe this lens was made in the 1880's. Any idea who rebranded it for Joseph Levi & Co.? I will try to post some pics of the lens this week. Any assistance is appreciated. Thanks. Jon

  2. #2

    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Denmark
    Posts
    6,246

    Re: Joseph Levi & Co. The European Lens

    A very short reference from VM:

    "Levi and Co, Farringdon Rd., London EC.
    This was a complex group of companies making cameras and acting as wholesale opticians- but not so far noted as a source of camera lenses as such."

    So you have discovered something new!

  3. #3
    Jon Wilson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Idaho
    Posts
    651

    Re: Joseph Levi & Co. The European Lens

    Thanks Steve. the glass probably has never been removed from the rims. They will not move with slight pressure. Therefore, I have left them in place. Although it appears there is some writing on the edge of one of the lenses. Does it look like a rebranded Darlot or something else?

    Here are some pics of this lens.

  4. #4

    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Denmark
    Posts
    6,246

    Re: Joseph Levi & Co. The European Lens

    Quite a few French makers wrote in pencil or india ink on the ground glass. Not just maker identification, but also quality control/achromat identification/grinder-polisher's name. France was the usual source of UK retailers' own brand of lenses.
    In addition, there were wholesale French companies who acted as middlemen between the smaller French makers and the export trade.

  5. #5
    LF Newbie Islandor's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2016
    Location
    Phuket, Thailand
    Posts
    30

    Re: Joseph Levi & Co. The European Lens

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_1255.jpg 
Views:	34 
Size:	57.4 KB 
ID:	151458Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_1253.jpg 
Views:	40 
Size:	57.3 KB 
ID:	151459Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_1260.jpg 
Views:	24 
Size:	38.3 KB 
ID:	151460Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_1262.jpg 
Views:	19 
Size:	47.9 KB 
ID:	151461

    Hi Jon, & Steven. I just stumbled upon this old thread while trying to research the same lens (or similar anyway) that came with a tailboard camera I purchased recently, an 8 ½ x 6 ½ Underwood President if your'e interested. I don’t believe that this lens will actually work on it though as the mounting ring is too large for the lensboard that came with the camera, and would interfere with the brass frame that holds the board in as well. The lens body is just over 2" in diameter (maybe 2.5) and roughly 5' overall length, calipers are in the mail :-)

    Mine was fairly easy to open so I did take out and clean the lens elements, and they are still quite nice, and there was no writing on them on the inside. The body is a little rough and I didn’t want to start polishing it but did do some basic cleanup of it, and you can see a few pics attached also. So I was wondering if you ever used yours, or found any more good info about it? I did find a bit more about the Joseph Levi & Co at: http://www.earlyphotography.co.uk/site/companies2.html Seems they made/sold quite a few things under a few different brands over the years, and finally merged into Houghton just after the turn of the century. Seems these are similar in appearance from pics I've seen to the Hermagis or Darlot lenses so maybe the French connection guess is correct, but I'm just guessing.

    So there are at least 2 of these in the world, unless yours was the one I just bought!

    Cheers, Bob
    Last edited by Islandor; 4-Jun-2016 at 02:58. Reason: added a bit

  6. #6

    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Denmark
    Posts
    6,246

    Re: Joseph Levi & Co. The European Lens

    French lenses, traded by UK retailers, do not usually have lens edge identification. Sometimes there are stamped initials on the flange (if original!) or on brass lens caps. This was the case with a lot of Marion of Soho lenses who got some of their lenses from Darlot. Darlot was a valuable "selling" name, so it is likely from another less established maker. Everyone made good Petzvals.

    About clean-up. Everyone has their own criteria abot when a more radical intervention is needed. This one, in my own personal view, is on the borderline! It won't deteriorate further, but the novel engraving is hard to see at the moment!

  7. #7
    LF Newbie Islandor's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2016
    Location
    Phuket, Thailand
    Posts
    30

    Re: Joseph Levi & Co. The European Lens

    Thanks Steven, no initials that I can find, and I don't have the brass lens cap so no chance there, nor the waterhouse stops unfortunately. I did find after cleaning and a closer look there are some numbers just above the engraving (can't be seen in the photo) that are 14 . 8" and guessing that those are the lens size info for it, but Greek to me still. For the clean-up I think I'll leave it for now as is, have enough other things to keep me busy for a while!

  8. #8

    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Denmark
    Posts
    6,246

    Re: Joseph Levi & Co. The European Lens

    Some more information and photos.

    Breker had another Joseph Levi "The European" CdeV Petzval in an auction in 2016. No bids at 240€ starting
    I bid for the same lens (Without realising it) on ebay.de recently.
    Has the same Gasc et Charconnet type trademark engraving as the one shown earlier in the thread, but has copperplate engraving rather than block capitals.
    Obviously French, but all traces of the originating workshop have been removed.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails image.jpg  

Similar Threads

  1. Means to determine EXACT fl of a simple lens
    By bglick in forum Lenses & Lens Accessories
    Replies: 30
    Last Post: 20-Dec-2006, 08:32
  2. When to switch to a macro lens?
    By William Mortensen in forum Lenses & Lens Accessories
    Replies: 32
    Last Post: 22-Jun-2006, 08:46
  3. Picking ideal lens and fl, for flat copy work
    By bglick in forum Lenses & Lens Accessories
    Replies: 21
    Last Post: 8-Feb-2006, 21:49

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
  •