The original member of my father's family, in Canada was my great great Grandfather, one Robert Cowan, who emmigrated to Canada from Ireland in the later 19th Century.
A business man, Robert had occasion to go to Rochester, from time to time, on the Toronto To Rochester ferry, and found himself doing so in late 1921. Strollin on the east side of Broadway, between third and Zumbro, Robert remembered that he had had a likeness done here in 1878 and decided to go into the Easton's Photo Gallery for another. James and Lucy Easton and the coterie of amateur photographers that used the studio as a meeting place, were in a heated discussion about a rash of stolen lenses.
For those who follow current photographic events in Abel's Photographic Weekly you will recall that about Christmas time, Jan 11,1911, a Celor No. 6 lens, No. 225960, without flange was stolen from the studio of F. Goldensky of 1705 Chestnut St. Boston.
On July 3, 1915, a Cooke portrait lens Ser. 6 No. 39750 No. 35. lens was stolen in case along with a purple plush background with racks from B. Blaxzing 1230 16th St. Denver, Colo.
Other lenses were stolen from William Hudlett, of 3061 West 25th street, Cleveland, Ohio, on July 4th.
A Wollensak Vitax Portrait lens number 3776 was stolen from the Riverside Studio, 795 Oakland Ave., Milwaukee, Wis., on the night of January 15th.1917. This lens was taken with lens board and Packard shutter, en- tire. In addition a Turner-Reich anastig- mat No. 2, with shutter, was taken from the enlarging camera.
An I-C 5x8 Tessar Lens No. 27773819. Stolen the afternoon of January the 21 st. 1919, from The Photo Shop, Madrid.
More Stolen Lenses ON Saturday night, May twenty-first,1920, from the studio of Wm. J. Lenny, Rockford, Ill- who was burglarized and a number of lenses stolen. Watch out for any of these, if lenses are offered to you: Wollensak Verito 8x10, No. 5935. …
AND FINALLY
Nov 19 1921
At last we have a case of a lens thief being caught, The studio of A. Schutz 613 Fourteenth St. N. Washington D.C. was jimmied and a considerable amount of lenses were taken. The following day a Charles Moore of Gary, Indiana was arrested in possession of several of the lenses. Moore travels under the names of Mays and McGuire. Mr. Shultz will be glad to hear from any photographers who have had lenses stolen in the last few years, particularly if finger prints were found. Mr. Shultz had five lenses stolen in Feb., 1920.
This last theft was the item of interest to the Rochester crew. It seems that the thief, Charles Moore was at first thought to be a child as he was very slight of build with long arms and legs and was almost hairless with a large head and large eyes. He was thought to be ill as well as he had a sallow green tinge to his skin.
James Easton noted that the story reminded him of the last time Robert had visited in 1878, and that the strange lens that day had gone missing the very next day, with a note in its place "this aint for you---It was signed Floyd.
This was that day's likeness done on a 16.5 inch Versar
Attachment 156016
Originally Posted by cowanw
The original member of my father's family, in Canada was my great great Grandfather, one Robert Cowan, who emmigrated to Canada from Ireland in the later 19th Century.
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks