This update features a couple of lenses that you rarelly find on the market today or in the future. This is definetly one of those lenses.

History: This is the most reknowed and known US lens maker of the early photographic era. Harrison started to make photographic lenses as early as the 1840ies and was probably the first to manufacture lenses outside of europe at that time. He adopted the portrait petzval layout and manufactured lenses throughout the 1860ies. This specimen is a fine example of his workmanship. Lenses made by Harrison rarely show up on the free market and when then mostly in small focal lenghs. There are few, very few which were made in the size offered here and even fewer did suirvive to this day.

The engraving reads:

'7862 - C.C. Harrison - New York'

That dates the lens in the early to mid 1860ies.

Condition: This beauty comes in a nice condition. The brass shows only light wear and a nice golden glow.  The lens features a waterhouse slot (no stops included). The radial drive is missing, but this is rather a cosmetic then functional issue. The glass on the other hand comes in a nice condition, there are the typical cleaning marks, but besides that there is no seperation, haze or damage to them. They are crispy clear and the image on the ground glass is outstanding.

With its fast open aperture of F4 and a focal lengh of 400mm (or 16"), this lens will work from 8x10 up to 11x14 formats, showing some fine character on portrait range.


It comes with a flange.



height: 26cm
width: 12cm
weight: 3200gr

Insured and tracked shipping cost:

Germany - 20 eur
EU* - 50 eur
Worldwide - 120 eur

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.