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Thread: Lerebours Serial Number - Rice Writing

  1. #1

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    Lerebours Serial Number - Rice Writing

    I was looking more closely at this early, quarterplate Lerebours et Secretan lens today, and noticed a glint of something at the edge of the rear glass. At first I thought it was a miniscule edge chip I'd not noticed before.

    Then I looked closer....and closer... finally through a loupe. They had engraved the serial number on the glass face, not the usual French practice of pen/pencil marking on the ground edge itself. The number matches the barrel, a cool discovery about these earliest of makers (it's pre 1855). White thing in photo is a grain of rice for scale. Lerebours owners, better go check your glass.




  2. #2
    Jon Wilson's Avatar
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    Re: Lerebours Serial Number - Rice Writing

    That is cool Garrett. I will have to check mine which is about the same FL as yours. Do you have a list of their serial numbers/years? Jon

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    Re: Lerebours Serial Number - Rice Writing

    No, I wish I had a serial number list. My research shows they made lenses from 1845 to 1855, but I need to research more to be sure.

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    Re: Lerebours Serial Number - Rice Writing

    I just checked another, larger Lerebours et Secretan I have, it's serial number is also engraved in tiny script on the rear glass. They are ~4000 numbers apart, I have to believe this was a process Lerebours followed. Anyone else check theirs?

  5. #5
    Jon Wilson's Avatar
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    Re: Lerebours Serial Number - Rice Writing

    Quote Originally Posted by goamules View Post
    I just checked another, larger Lerebours et Secretan I have, it's serial number is also engraved in tiny script on the rear glass. They are ~4000 numbers apart, I have to believe this was a process Lerebours followed. Anyone else check theirs?
    I checked mine which is about 210mm and it too has serial numbers engraved on the front and back lens. Serial #8941

    Jon
    Last edited by Jon Wilson; 30-Jan-2021 at 13:17. Reason: inserted entire serial #8941

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    Re: Lerebours Serial Number - Rice Writing

    This is all very interesting! Could this be an etching (strong acid) rather than engraving? The risks of loosing many days work would otherwise seem to great?

  7. #7

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    Re: Lerebours Serial Number - Rice Writing

    mine look like engraving.
    My YouTube Channel has many interesting videos on Soft Focus Lenses and Wood Cameras. Check it out.

    My YouTube videos
    oldstyleportraits.com
    photo.net gallery

  8. #8

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    Re: Lerebours Serial Number - Rice Writing

    Yes Eddie, the digits look too deep - miniscule diamond drill perhaps? The 0 looks too round for normal engraving techniques?

  9. #9

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    Re: Lerebours Serial Number - Rice Writing

    And now, a challenge: why do you think it was important to serialize the glass along with the barrel?

    Here is another one of mine:


  10. #10

    Re: Lerebours Serial Number - Rice Writing

    "And now, a challenge: why do you think it was important to serialize the glass along with the barrel?"

    Rampant counterfeiting, it would be difficult the fake the engraving on the glass

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