"Globe" Rapid Symmetrical - Interesting or Vanilla?

[jon koss]

Hello everyone - I was just turning the closet compost and unearthed this lens. Out of curiosity I did a quick Google search but really could not ID it. Does anyone happen to know if it is of any particular interest - or is it just a pedestrian lens of the period? Of what era is it? Markings are as follows:

"Globe" Rapid Symmetrical
No 4 3541 6-1/2 x 8-1/2
Jas H Smith & Co.
Chicago, Ill.

Thanks in advance,

Jon

 

[jimgalli]

Jon, it's pretty and the inscription is definitely early - ish. I'll take a swack and guess 1880's - 90's. Rapid Symmetrical is another code name for Rapid Rectilinear. Generally these lenses don't light anyone's fire. Too sharp to be a soft focus candidate, and bad corners preclude it being any sharp freak's darling. So pedestrian it is. It's probably about 10 1/2 inch focal length which would make it a solid performer with room for some movements on full plate. They have excellent contrast because the design is simple. It could be a lovely performer on 5X7 which would mask the softish corners from non flat field.

 

[jon koss]

Thanks Jim - much appreciated. I will hoe it back under and see if it transmogrifies into a monster Petzval or perhaps a lovely old Daguerreian.

Jon

 

[Larry Bullis]

When Edw. Weston got interested in making sharp images, he put away his fuzzy lenses and started over with a rapid rec.

 

[luvcameras]

Jas H Smith was a photographic dealer who used the brand name "Globe" on many of their products (re-branding products made by another firm, but sold by Smith). Interestingly, this company grew into the Smith-Victor corporation - still in business today making photographic lighting !

Dan