Gasc & Charconnet Wide Angle GLOBE Brass lens RARE

Gasc & Charconnet Wide Angle “Globe” Brass Lens – ca. 1880 – Rare French W.A. Lens – Good Condition for Age

This rare wide-angle brass lens by Gasc & Charconnet, Paris dates to around 1880 and represents early French optical craftsmanship. It is a “Globe”-type wide-angle lens with a highly convex front element, designed to cover large plates at short focal lengths—an approach influenced by early Globe lenses of the Petzval era and intended for landscape and architectural work. Despite its age, this example remains well preserved and retains both historical value and practical potential for large format use.

Key Features:

• Gasc & Charconnet Wide Angle “Globe” Lens, rare French brass wide-angle optic
• Strongly convex front element; classic 19th-century construction
• Circa 1880 with significant collector value
• Suitable for early large format cameras and historical photographic processes

Condition:

• Exterior: Good condition for age; expected patina and wear on the brass; no dents or structural damage
• Glass: Front element shows a small central scratch and light cleaning marks; rear element has fine scratches plus some more pronounced central marks; no haze or fungus; clean interior; marks unlikely to noticeably affect image quality
• Functionality: Typical period design with no shutter or aperture; suitable for use with external shutters or wet plate applications

Scope of Delivery:

Scope of delivery as shown in the pictures.

Conclusion:

A highly collectible and historically important Gasc & Charconnet “Globe”-type wide-angle lens, well preserved for its age and desirable for both display and practical historical photography. An exceptional opportunity for advanced collectors and enthusiasts of early optical history.