For your consideration is possibly the only extant
or one of but a few existing CAMERA LUCIDAS made by CHARLES CHEVALIER in
1832 or earlier - working under the employ of his father Vincent Chevalier - at
Vincent Chevalier's workshop address in Paris. The date looks like "103"
but it may be "703." It is hard to say. Or it can merely be "3"
- as the "03" is a 'block' detached from the "1" or "7." This
form of 'serial number' was often used by makers back in the day
to present the notion to their public clientele that a manufacturing firm was engaged in a much higher production
output then they actually were - to 'create' more of demand for their products. Thus a maker or manufacturer would engrave a 'fake'
initial number - then add the 'real' number next to the initiating
'fake' number.
This is nevertheless for one to decide by
themselves what is what in this regard.
But, essentially, what we have here is possibly the only extant
or at least one of but a few surviving Camera Lucidas by CHARLES
CHEVALIER, the maker and maker of the first camera lens; made 7
years before. Charles Chevalier learned lens-making from his
father - who was the premier optical house established in Paris -
making microscope lenses and microscopes of the highest order.
Please note that one of four glass filters and ring screw is
lacking. Else, the lucida is fully complete.
Wear is consistent with age and use. Please see all photos as they are part of the description.