Posted 8 years ago
MissNiss
(3 items)
I can't seem to find much information on this particular lens, researched Ralph J Golsen and Climent & Gilmers, didn't have much luck so I then went to the 5x7 landscape lenses with once again - not much to learn. Would love it if anyone could give me a little help on this.
Wording on the lens:
Climent & Gilmer's
No. 104870 5x7 Paris
Landscape Lenses
Ralph J Golsen
Chicago
Ralph J. Golsen was a photo-supply dealer located at 72 -74 Wabash Avenue, Chicago, Il. that was established in 1892. Clement & Gilmer is a Paris based company. The marking indicates that Golsen imported the lens (which was a common practice). Your lens is a mid-to-late 1890s design that is more than likely a single achromatic formula. I dated this to the 1890s because it matches the design of other landscape lenses (i.e. Waterbury) and that it does not appear in my 1903 Golsen catalogue.
Thank you so much, that is more information than all of my research had produced. If there is anything else you can think or any websites that I could get more information from, it would be greatly appreciated. Curious what it may be worth and if it was manufactured for resale if there are more to be found.
There are more of these lenses however they were popular in Europe. In a sense, it was resold by Golsen. It's not rare or historically important and the value is low.