235 - Désiré Lebrun, Paris | Petzval Portrait Lens

Désiré Lebrun, Paris | Petzval Portrait Lens Estimate: €3,000–3,400 Year: c. 1850 Condition: B+ English: A beautifully preserved early French Petzval-type portrait lens, engraved “Désiré Lebrun, Rue Grenéta 4, à Paris,” dating from the pioneering period of photographic optics. Made of brass, it measures 17 cm in height, with a front lens diameter of 56 mm and a rear lens diameter of 58 mm. Equipped with a rack-and-pinion focusing mechanism and a period shutter cap. The complete set of optical elements is in excellent condition, with an attractive original patina on the brass barrel. Lacks a 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 catalog 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. German: A beautifully preserved early French Petzval-type portrait lens engraved with “Désiré Lebrun, Rue Grenéta 4, à Paris” from the pioneering era of photographic optics. Height 17 cm, front lens diameter 56 mm, and rear lens diameter 58 mm. Features rack-and-pinion focusing and a shutter cover. In excellent condition, with an attractive original patina. Without a slide aperture slot or serial number. Désiré Lebrun was a prominent early Parisian optician, particularly known for his photographic portrait lenses. His workshop at 4 Rue Grenéta is documented in the catalog 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 collodion era, preserved in remarkable original condition.