History: Auzoux 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 with Bauz which comes from the late 1860ies (probably 1867-68). The most remarkble part here is that it comes as a time capsule, since its a complete photographers setup:

The lens itself, the leather cap, a leather satched with a full set of waterhouse stops, and a box for transportation. Im not sure if the box is authentic, but it perfectly fits the size of the lens, so it might just be.

Besides the completeness of the set, the lens also comes beeing nickel plated. Something that was done only to the most valueable lenses, since it was quite an expensive proccess back then. Its a perfect way to protect the brass from any wear or oxidation. Thats also the case here, the lens comes in a near mint condition, almost the way it was probably delivered to its buyer in the late 1860ies!

The lens is engraved with:


'No 7972
AUZOUX & BAUZ
OPTens FABnts

QUAI CONTI 3
Paris'

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 220mm at a speed of F3. It will cover 5x7 easily and even fullplate format with fine petzval characteristic on the ground glass. You might even want to try it out on 8x10 as it nearly covers that format with some light falloff and minimal viegnetting.

Condition: As mentioned earlier the condition of the lens is very good. The nickel plating shows no obvious damage and also the glass is in a great condition, regarding its nearly 160 years old. The rack & pinion mechanism is complete and works nicely.  The flange seems have been painted black (probably to match the cameras lensboard).

This lens has a waterhouse slot and it comes with a full set of 8 waterhouse stops.




height: 18cm
width: 11cm
weight: 2200gr

Insured and tracked shipping cost:

Germany - 10 eur
EU* - 40 eur
Worldwide - 100 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.