History: Auzoux's workshop was very well known for its built and fantastic optical quality. He had a couple of cooparations with the most distinguished optical workshops in the 1860ies, including Francais and Bauz. This is a very fine example of his work from the early 1860ies. 

The lens is engraved with:

'11.980
A. Schaeffner
a Paris'

Schaeffner was a camera maker back in the 1860s and 70s. He didnt make lenses himself, but rather baught from different makers. As most french makers also Auzoux did offer rebranding his lenses, as in this case.

In fact this piece is a 'Convertible Lens', meaning that it also could easily be transformed from a portrait to a landscape lens! You just need to screw the lens out of the flange, unscrew the rear cell and screw the lens back into the flange with the front cell first (the lenshood offers the fitting threads). Its quite easy and takes about 2 minutes. You can see it also done with a larger piece here (not my concent):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1L6hA6zQDe0


The lens has a focal lenght of 180mm at a speed of F3. It will cover 4x5easily and even 5x7 format on portrait ragnge with fine petzval characteristic on the ground glass.

Condition: As mentioned earlier the condition of the lens is very good. The golden laquere shows some wear but is mostly intact, regarding its nearly 160 years old. The rack & pinion mechanism is complete and works nicely. 

height: 12cm
width: 8cm
weight: 9500gr

Insured and tracked shipping cost:

Germany - 10 eur
EU* - 30 eur
Worldwide - 80 eur

*(the site offers only 2 shipping variations, DE and worldwide. buyers from EU please either contact me beforehand for a reduced EU cost, or after buying so i can send a refund over the difference)

Importent Note: This item comes from my private collection and is around 100 years old (antique). I try my best to describe all the faults and major damage which are relevant for the function of this item. But the actuall item can show signs of wear and also some cosmetic blemishes/damage which is not described in the auction text! When buying this item the buyer agrees to this terms.