Amigo Werk
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Amigo-Werk was perhaps a German optical company based in Berlin[1] or a trade name for lenses produced by a Berlin-based OEM.[2] Lenses inscribed both Amigo–Werk, Berlin and Amigo–Anastigmat (either in lowercase or in capital letters) have been observed on Japanese cameras of the late 1920s or early 1930s. They were reportedly mounted on Mikuni[3] and Rubies cameras in the 1920s.
List of known lenses
List of known lenses and attribution of cameras:[4]
- Amigo-Anastigmat 10.5cm f/4.5
- no. 51395, lowercase markings?, with a Vario shutter on a plate folder presented as a Voigtländer[5]
- no. 52847, lowercase markings, with a Compur shutter on a plate folder presented as a Mikuni[6]
- no. 53030, capital markings, with a Perfect shutter on an unknown camera[7]
- capital markings, with a Vario shutter on a plate folder presented as a First[8]
- no. 53099, capital markings, with a Vario shutter on a plate folder presented as a Rubies [9]
- no. 53151, capital markings, with a Vario shutter on a plate folder presented as a Fuyōdō Rubies [10]
- Amigo-Anastigmat 13.5cm f/4.5
Notes
- ↑ A systematic search of the address books of Berlin 1920-1940 failed to find an entry for 'Amigo-Werk' or an entry of 'Amigo' related to optical industries.—The only entry was a Gustav Amigo, Feinmechanik (precision engineering) in Ritterstrasse 41, Berlin SW68 first listed in 1921 (Berliner Adreßbuch 1921. Erster Band. Einwohnerverzeichnis. Berlin: Verlag August Scherl Deutsche Adreßbuch-Gesellschaft, p. 34; 1923 p. 37; 1925 p. 38; 1926 p. 36; 1927 p. 39). In 1928 he is listed at the same address as a maker of loudspeakers (1928, p.39). The year after the firm had moved to Fürstenstrasse 3, Berlin S12 (1929, p. 40; 1931, p. 38; 1933, p. 31; 1934, p. 29). From 1935 Gustav Amigo is listed as 'Mechanische Werkstatt' (mechanical workshop) at the same address (1935, p. 30; 1936, p. 30; 1937, p. 31; 1938, p. 32; 1939, p. 31). In 1940 Gustav Amigo is no longer listed but a Manfred Amigo Metallwerkfabik continues at the same address (Manfred, presumably Gustav's son, is listed from 1935 to 1939 as trading in motor car accessories at the same address).
- ↑ Such a German lens maker based in Berlin, operating in the 1920s and 1930s, and with a major distribution in Japan was Rüdersdorf, normally trading under its own brand Rüo.
- ↑ Lewis, p.44.
- ↑ This listing is continued here in this form until the nature of the lenses has been ascertained for certain. The these entries can be moved to endnotes.
- ↑ Ken Frecker Auction May 2004 Lot 2258
- ↑ Lens pictured in this page at Handmade and Classic Camera.
- ↑ Lens pictured in Tanimura, p.97 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.12.
- ↑ Lens pictured in Sugiyama, item 1042.
- ↑ Seen on Yahoo Auctions Japan, October 2012
- ↑ Pleasure Classic Lenses
- ↑ Lens observed in an online auction.
Bibliography
- Lewis, Gordon, ed. The History of the Japanese Camera. Rochester, N.Y.: George Eastman House, International Museum of Photography & Film, 1991. ISBN 0-935398-17-1 (paper), 0-935398-16-3 (hard). P.44.
- Sugiyama, Kōichi (杉山浩一); Naoi, Hiroaki (直井浩明); Bullock, John R. The Collector's Guide to Japanese Cameras. 国産カメラ図鑑 (Kokusan kamera zukan). Tokyo: Asahi Sonorama, 1985. ISBN 4-257-03187-5. Item 1042.
- Tanimura Yoshihiko (谷村吉彦). "Neumann & Heilemann: kieta ashiato, Minoruta setsuritsu to sono ato no karera wo otte" (Neumann & Heilemann 消えた足跡・ミノルタ設立とその後の彼等を追って, On the traces of Neumann & Heilemann at the founding of Minolta and afterwards.) Kamera Rebyū: Kurashikku Kamera Senka (カメラレビュー クラシックカメラ専科) / Camera Review: All about Historical Cameras no.12, October 1988. No ISBN number. Minoruta kamera no subete (ミノルタカメラのすべて, special issue on Minolta). Pp.96–9.