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live November 21 | 11:00 AM
OstLicht Photo Auction

235 - Désiré Lebrun, Paris | Petzval Portrait Lens

Starting price

€1,600

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Estimation

€3,000 - 3,400

Sale fees

27%

Désiré Lebrun, Paris | Petzval Portrait Lens Estimate: € 3,000–3,400 Year: c.1850 Condition: B+ English: Beautifully preserved early French Petzval-type portrait lens, engraved 'Désiré Lebrun, Rue Grenéta 4, à Paris', dating from the pioneering period of photographic optics. Brass construction, measuring 17 cm in height, with a front lens diameter of 56 mm and rear lens diameter of 58 mm. Equipped with rack-and-pinion focusing mechanism and period shutter cap. Complete optical elements in excellent condition, with attractive original patina to the brass barrel. Without Waterhouse stop slot or serial number. Désiré Lebrun was an important early Parisian optician, particularly renowned for his photographic portrait lenses. His workshop at 4 Rue Grenéta is documented in the catalogue of the 1857 exhibition of the Société Française de Photographie. A particularly attractive and exceptionally rare example of early French photographic optics from the daguerreotype and wet-plate era, surviving in remarkable original condition. Deutsch: Wunderschön erhaltenes frühes französisches Porträtobjektiv nach Petzval mit Gravur „Désiré Lebrun, Rue Grenéta 4, à Paris“ aus der Pionierzeit fotografischer Optik. Höhe 17 cm, Vorderlinsendurchmesser 56 mm und Hinterlinsendurchmesser 58 mm. Mit Zahnstangenfokussierung und Verschlussdeckel. In ausgezeichnetem Zustand, mit attraktiver Originalpatina. Ohne Steckblendenschlitz und Seriennummer. Désiré Lebrun war ein bedeutender früher Pariser Optiker, besonders bekannt für seine fotografischen Porträtobjektive. Seine Werkstatt unter der Adresse Rue Grenéta 4 ist im Katalog der Ausstellung der Société Française de Photographie von 1857 dokumentiert. Ein besonders attraktives und außergewöhnlich seltenes Beispiel früher französischer fotografischer Optik aus der Daguerreotypie- und Kollodiumzeit, in bemerkenswertem Originalzustand erhalten.

Auction details

OstLicht Camera Auction Autumn 2026
Saturday, November 21
11:00 AM
Absberggasse 27
1100 Vienna, Austria

Auction house

OstLicht Photo Auction +43 6 64 20 11 850 coeln@ostlicht.org
On Drouot for 5 years avec More than 2,000 lots published

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