John Henry Dallmeyer (London, England)
Dallmeyer's Patent Portrait Lens Series 2A, 1866-c.1910's
Illustrated Catalogue Issued Annually by Thos. H.
McCollin, Thos. H. McCollin (Philadelphia,
PA), January 1, 1876, p. 18
Engraved: "J.H. Dallmeyer / No. 17276 /
London / 2A / Patent"
Notes:
The original rapid rectilinear-type lens, The Dallmeyer Rapid Rectilinear Lens was invented by John Henry Dallmeyer, a master optician from Germany who married into the London optical Ross family, and, after the death of his father-in-law, Andrew Ross, eventually setting up in competition to his brother-in-law Thomas Ross.
Almost every optical company operating the the U.S. in the late 1880's to 1910's made their own version of the rapid rectilinear lens, either ignoring the English patent, or waiting until the patent expired. It was eventually phased due to the popularity of anastigmat lenses.
In the U.S., Dallmeyer lenses were
a fixture in E. & H.T. Anthony catalogs, although always more expensive
than Anthony's house brand, E.A lenses.
References: Back to
Lenses
Illustrated Catalogue Issued Annually by Thos. H. McCollin, Thos.
H. McCollin (Philadelphia, PA), January 1, 1876, p. 18
