Ermanox no. 1253940
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Ermanox no. 1253940

Details
Ermanox no. 1253940
Ernemann/Zeiss Ikon, Germany; 4½ x 6cm., with an Ernemann Ernostar f/1.8 8.5cm. lens no. 1109174 and darkslides, in maker's case
Literature
Eaton S. Lothrop (1973), A Century of Cameras, p. 133.
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

Condition: 4C(iii)
Cosmetic: Normal use and wear.
Mechanical: Working but accuracy of shutter (usually at slow speeds) questionable.
Lenses: Optics require cleaning/cloudy.
The Ermanox camera was launched in 1924 by Ernemann with a lens designed by L. Bertele. At the time of its introduction the camera possessed the widest aperture lens of any miniature camera made. The camera appeared in a number of different plate sizes, each with the f/1.8 lens and with the 4½ x 6cm. model being offered with f/1.8 and f/2 lenses. Reflex and collapsable models were also offered. It was listed until 1930.

The fast lens helped gain the camera popularity amongst 'candid' photographers. Felix H. Man (1893-1985) established his reputation as a photographer with a 4½ x 6cm. Ermanox and the person who is generally credited with being the first available light candid photographer Dr Erich Salomon (1886-1944) used the camera with a f/1.8 lens. Salomon photographed the social, business and political elite in Germany during the 1920s and 1930s, most notably at League of Nations conferences.

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