237 - Gustav Heyde, Dresden | H Apochromat XII

Gustav Heyde, Dresden | H Apochromat XII Estimate: €5,000–6,000 Year: c.1905 Serial No.: 246 Condition: B/A English: The heavy brass lens with a focal length of c.600mm is in beautiful, original condition with clean lenses; the barrel is engraved: G. Heyne, Dresden H Apochromat XII No. 246 F 7.5. It features an iris diaphragm and very clean, clear lenses. An outstanding optical rarity of the highest caliber from the golden age of German precision engineering. While the renowned workshop of Gustav Heyde in Dresden (established in 1872) is legendary for its large-scale astronomical observatory refractors and geodetic instruments, their specialized photographic and process lenses were manufactured only in extremely limited, custom quantities. This magnificent, heavyweight brass-bound masterpiece represents the pinnacle of early 20th-century optical correction. Designated as an “H Apochromat XII” with a maximum aperture of f/7.5, this massive lens was designed to cover ultra-large-format plates (well exceeding 30x40 cm) with absolute flat-field sharpness and perfect three-color registration, making it highly prized for early color photography, scientific landscape work, and elite studio portraiture. Weighing an impressive 3.0 kg despite its compact height of just 12 cm, the lens consists of substantial, thick-walled solid brass and high-density optical glass elements. It features a fully integrated, smooth-operating iris diaphragm and comes complete with its original matching brass mounting flange. A spectacular, museum-grade piece for the serious collector of early photographic optics and a true testament to the legendary craftsmanship of Gustav Heyde. German: This heavy brass lens, with a focal length of approximately 600 mm, is in very fine original condition with clean lenses and bears the engraving “G. Heyne, Dresden H Apochromat XII No. 246 F 7.5.” It features an iris diaphragm and very clean, clear lenses. An outstanding optical rarity from the heyday of German precision engineering. While the renowned workshop of Gustav Heyde in Dresden, founded in 1872, is famous for its large astronomical telescopes and geodetic instruments, its specialized photographic and reproduction lenses were produced only in very small, individually crafted quantities. This magnificent, heavy brass lens represents a particularly sophisticated example of the optical industry of the early 20th century. Designated the “H Apochromat XII” with a maximum aperture of f/7.5, this lens was designed for oversized plate formats measuring well over 30 × 40 cm, delivering high sharpness and precise reproduction of the three color separations. This made it particularly suitable for early color photography, scientific landscape photography, and sophisticated studio portraits. Despite a height of only 12 cm, it weighs a substantial 3.0 kg; the solid construction consists of brass and heavy optical glass elements. It features a built-in, smooth-operating iris diaphragm and an original, matching brass mounting flange. A spectacular, museum-quality piece for collectors of early photographic optics and an impressive testament to the legendary craftsmanship of Gustav Heyde.