|
These binoculars represent a distinctive and interesting subset of binocular development and collecting. This design was invented by Alfred Baumann of Kölnische Straße 4, Cassel Germany in 1919, with a U.S. patent applied for on July 28, 1919 no. 313,961 and an optical instrument patent granted Nov. 15, 1921 No. 1,397,156. He applied for French patent June 10, 1919 and it was granted Jan. 1921 No. 518, 603. Likewise a British patent applied for Aug 28, 1919 and granted Sept 30 1920 #151,452. Alfred Baumann also filed for a US trademark of the name “Fata-Morgana” for opera glasses, field glasses etc. No. 120,983 July 28, 1919 claiming use of the name for optical goods since “early in 1919”, per the Official Gazette of the US Patent office, Vol. 283 No 1 of Feb 11, 1921. Baumann was operating as Optische Werke Alfred Baumann & Co in 1920. The 4x Fata Morgana and 6x Optistar binoculars were believed also marketed by the firm August Fϋllgrabe of Cassel Germany (Kassel after 1926). Ninety years later, these binoculars still occasionally turn up in Germany, France, Austria, England, the USA, Switzerland, Ireland, Canada, Italy, Uruguay, Australia & New Zealand and elsewhere. These unique binoculars would have been well known to anyone in the optics trade in Germany at the time. The optics are really fairly good, especially for the time period. In the mid 1920’s Füllgrabe apparently also sold a line of crystal radio sets, similarly branded “Fata Morgana” in similar script (see http://www.radiomuseum.org/m/fullgrabe_d_en_1.html). It is documented that that Karl Hartmann Optik of Wetzlar supplied optical components such as prisms, lenses, or perhaps small binoculars to Fϋllgrabe in Kassel around 1921 (“‘Karl Hartmann Optik Und Feinmechanik Wetzlar Germany 1921-1992” by Dr. Gijs van Ginkel ). Fϋllgrabe is described as “a company for the production and marketing of technical products”. The “Elektrotechnik” electrical product aspect of the business eventually predominated. When Fϋllgrabe was acquired by Withof in 1929 they had around “20 employees” as documented in “Region Nordhessen-Kompetenz in Elektro-und Informationstechnik”. Withof became Phillips Elekronik fϋr Wissenschaft und Industrie in 1975, then PMA Prozeß und Machinen Automation Gmbh in 1995. |
|
Japanese External Reverse Porro Prism Binoculars |
|
I WANT TO SEE : |
|
Note unusual finger pins on Fata Morgana used to help turn ocular |
|
1920’s Fata Morgana 4x binoculars Cassel, Germany. Sourced in the United States Collection of Mark Ohno |
|
Another pair of Fata Morgana 4x binoculars with pins, serial #9585 Collection of Imperial War Museum London England, Photo: Imperial War Museum |
|
MOST PHOTOS MARK OHNO |
|
MARK OHNO |
|
Ca 1920’s Optistar 6x binoculars sn 41431 Origin: Cassel, Germany. Binoculars Sourced in Germany Collection of Mark Ohno |
|
Another pair of 1920’s Fata Morgana 4x binoculars. Origin: Cassel, Germany. Binoculars sourced in Ireland Collection of Mark Ohno |
|
ミニチュア双眼鏡 |
|
“August Füllgrabe Cassel Factory for Precision Optics & Electrical Engineering” |
|
懐かしの双眼鏡 |
|
It could be said that Alfred Baumann started the practice of giving these small binoculars interesting and imaginative names with the “Fata Morgana” . The Fata Morgana is an optical mirage caused by temperature inversion, where a second inverse image is created. The phenomenon is believed to be named for Morgan Le Faye, a character of Arthurian legend (Geoffrey of Monmouth, “Historia Regina Britannae” circa 1138). Morgan, also called Morgana, was a “fay”, or sorceress. The optical phenomenon was certainly attributed to magical influences throughout much of human history. |
|
Morgan La Faye casting a spell in Frederick Sandy’s 1864 painting of the same name. |
|
Serial # 520 (pin & slot, sil) Tatzenkreuz embossing collection of Jack Kelly, USA Serial # 680 (pin & slot, sil) Tatzenkreuz embossing collection of Mark Ohno, USA Serial # 6322 (pin & slot, blk) collection of Mark Ohno, USA Serial # 8383 (VK,sil, WP) straw pattern embossing, lorgnette handle. Mark Ohno, USA Serial # 9585 (config. NA) observed private collection Serial # 9755 (config. NA) list of Dr Hans Seeger, Hamburg, Germany Serial # 9804 (VK, blk, WP) collection of Imperial War Museum, UK Serial # 10539 (VK, silver, WP) circle pattern embossing , collection Ted Brink, Holland Serial # 11019 (VK, blk, WP) collection of Nico Westphal, NL Serial # 11271 (VK, blk, WP ) collection of Mark Ohno, USA Serial # 12278 (blk) list of Dr Hans Seeger, Hamburg, Germany Serial # 14133 (CHK, blk, WP) w/ lorgnette handle collection of Mark Ohno, USA Serial # 14211 (config. NA) private collection Serial # 14420 (gilded, WP) list of Dr Hans Seeger, Germany Serial # 14441 (blk) collection of Mark Ohno, USA Serial # 14971 (CHK gilded, WP,) w/ lorgnette handle collection of Ron Rosen, USA Serial # 14985 (CHK, gilded, WP) collection of Melanie Willis, USA Serial # 15105 (CHK, gilded, WP) collection of Mark Ohno, USA Serial # 15286 (gilded,WP) auctioned in UK 2011 Serial # 15504 (CHK, blk, WP) collection of Nico Westphal, NL Serial # 16794 (config. NA) auctioned Ebay 2007 Serial # 17218 (CHK, blk, WP) collection of Mark Ohno, USA Serial # 17360 (CHK, blk, WP) collection of Mark Ohno, USA Serial # 17976 (blk) list of Dr Hans Seeger, Hamburg Germany Serial # 18671 (CHK, gilded) collection Nico Westphal, NL Serial # 19208 (blk, WP) collection of Leitz Museum, Germany Serial # 20524 (CHK, gilded, WP) auction Germany 10/2012 Serial # 20850 (CHK, blk, WP) auction Germany 4/2013 Serial # 20873 (CHK, blk, WP) collection of Ulrich Zeun, Germany Serial # 20950 (config NA, blk) collection of Günter Kampf, Germany Serial # 20955 (blk, WP) collection of Mark Ohno, USA Serial $ 21905 (config NA) auctioned USA Nov 2012 Serial # 22421 (CHK, gilded WP) collection of Mark Ohno, USA Serial # 23261 (blk) list of Dr Hans Seeger, Hamburg, Germany Serial # 24604 (NP, guilded, ) list of Dr Hans Seeger, Germany Serial # 24687 (gilded, WP) list of Dr Hans Seeger, Germany Serial # 24744 (gilded) list of Dr Hans Seeger, Hamburg, Germany Serial # 24792 (gilded) list of Dr Hans Seeger, Hamburg, Germany Serial # 25071 (BE, NP, VK, blk), blk collection of Mark Ohno, USA Serial # 25490 (config NA) auction USA 1/2012 Serial # 25261 (config NA ) offered at auction Michigan, USA, 2012 Serial # 25419 (config. NA) auctioned Ebay 2008 Serial # 25490 (BE, NP, VK ,blk) collection of Nico Westphal, NL Serial # 25585 (config. NA) private collection Serial # 25708 (config. NA) list of Dr Hans Seeger, Hamburg, Germany Serial # 25804 (BE, NP, blk) collection of Mark Ohno, sourced Prague Czech Republic Serial number block believed not to exceed 30000 (Ultramar documented at 30063) No Serial no/ very late (BE, NP, blk) Prinzess private brand collection of Mark Ohno, USA |
|
Serial # 38597 (BE NP) collection of Ulrich Zeun, Germany Serial # 41431 (BE, NP) collection of Mark Ohno, USA Serial #41692 (NA) auction Germany Serial #41892 (BE,NP) auction Germany 1/2013 Serial # 42144 list of Dr Hans Seeger, Hamburg, Germany Serial # 42473 (BE, NP) collection of Nico Westphal, NL Serial # 42556 list of Dr Hans Seeger, Hamburg Germany Serial #42784 (BE, NP) collection of Mark Ohno, USA Serial # 43295 (BE, NP) collection of Nico Westphal, NL Serial # 43820 (BE, NP) Ecker private brand Mark Ohno, USA |
|
Serial numbers are a key element in analyzing design and production changes and evolution, and gaining insight into the quantities produced. Serial numbers are often assigned in a “block” to a model, and do not necessarily start at “1”, though these probably did. |
|
Optical fata morgana |
|
Based on lowest and highest observed serial numbers in this small sample, production of Fata Morgana binoculars exceeded 25,124 units. |
|
Based on lowest and highest observed serial numbers in this small sample, production of Optistar binoculars exceeded 5,223 units . |
|
Serial # 11271 |
|
Binocular at left serial # 17218 |
|
Gilded pair of brass 1920’s Fata Morgana 4x 12 binoculars, Engraved with owner’s name. Probably brought from Europe. Origin: Cassel, Germany. Collection of Melanie Willis , USA Photos courtesy Melanie Willis |
|
CHK-Cross Hatch Knurl VK-Vertical Knurl WP-With Pins NP-No Pins blk-black sil-silver NA-Not Available BE-Baklite one piece Eyepiece |
|
(approximate translation) “Get a copy of our Fata Morgana prism binoculars / Several new patents registered / a wonderful bright opera and travel binocular/ Carefully manufactured of first class material./ Warranted/ Is the smallest and lightest binoculars/ 92mm greatest diameter for Your Pocket/ Only 75 grams / 4 power magnification/ Field of View 20 meters at 100 meters/ each eyepiece and the papillary distance is adjustable. Price 75 francs/ You secure a copy immediately at the FATA MORGANA COMPANY. Biel 12, shipping cash on delivery or postal check or “Voreinsendung”. Biel 1 VA 1024 “ |
|
Dec 1919 Swiss newspaper advertisement suggests initial production was around the end of 1919, which matches the patent filings, and the trademark claims that the use of the name started in early 1919 |
|
If my math is correct, by changing 1919 Swiss francs to 1919 US dollars, and then changing 1919 US dollars to 2010 US dollars, the price was around $181.26 in equivalent 2010 US dollars |
|
Original Optistar pasteboard box Collection of Mark Ohno Box sourced in Germany. (Optistar Originalkarton) |
|
When you bought an “A.B.C.” “Optistar” prism 6x binoculars in the early to mid 1920’s, “the exquisite sport, travel and marine binoculars”, this is what you received. Even by today’s standards, these are an appealing, attractive, well designed and are a well made pair of binoculars that are a pleasure to use. Collection of Mark Ohno, binocular serial # 42784. Binocular & Case sourced in theUnited States, Box sourced in Germany |
|
Note lack of “ABC” Logo in drawing |
|
Photo courtesy of Marc in Montevideo Uruguay |
|
Photo courtesy of Ron in USA Gilded Fata Morgana binoculars with lorgnette handle (Fata Morgana Fernglas mit Griff, Vergoldeten) |
|
Pending future discovery, these two pairs of Fata Morgana binoculars are currently the earliest known surviving examples (serial numbers 520 and 680), and they have a number of interesting features that are not found on other known examples. I believe these were probably manufactured in 1919. They lack the ABC marking found on all other documented Fata Morgana binoculars, but the ABC is also absent in the 1919 Swiss advertisement. On these binoculars the barrel of the objective lens pack fouls the prism covers, requiring a relief cut. Later examples changed the geometry so that the barrels have enough clearance. These Fata Morgana binoculars have a hand stamped design embellishment all over of the Tatzenkreuz (foot cross), or Cross Pattée (footed cross), sometimes also known as the “iron cross” or Eisernes Kreuz after the German WWI and WWII military honor medal of that design. (nearly five and a half million German iron cross medals were estimated awarded in WWI). In 1919 the recent war was an all pervasive influence in Germany. Approximately 13.4 million Germans served in the military, or 20% of the total population. Germany had 5 million military casualties and 2.1 million military deaths. Personal items commemorating WWI in some way are common, and incorporating the Tatzenkreuz or Eisernes Kreuz is very common on German items. But the symbol was also a generic Christian religious symbol associated with the Knights Templar, and something sold in the US in 1919 decorated this way would not necessarily have been associated with the German medal (as would certainly have been the case within Germany). Focus is accomplished on these binoculars by sliding a pin in an angled slot, to cam the diopter in and out of its barrel. Later models internally work in a similar fashion, but use a focus ring and pin, and the ring is much easier to grasp while looking through the binoculars. It is quite difficult to get a finger on the pin and slide it while viewing on these early models. With neck string these binoculars weigh 76.5 grams, close to the 75 grams claimed by the advertisement, and is reflective of their (unpainted) aluminum construction. By comparison, the gilded Fata Morgana of brass construction binoculars weighs a hefty 150 grams. By sometime in 1920 a revised focus mechanism with ring was pictured, so these binoculars are probably from1919, the first year of production. |
|
Circa 1919 Fata Morgana 4x binoculars, serial number 680, Origin: Cassel, Germany. Binoculars Sourced in England Collection of Mark Ohno , USA Photos Mark Ohno |
|
Focus mechanism of pin and slot to cam internal diopter in and out. |
|
Relief clearance cut into the objective barrel. |
|
The 1919 advertisement clearly shows the pin and slot focus mechanism, and also shows lack the ABC emblem, so it is reflective of the configuration found on binocular serial # 680 |
|
German WWI Iron Cross Medal Collection Mark Ohno Deutsche Medaille WWI , das Eisenkreuz. Sammlung von Mark Ohno |
|
W. (William) Ecker of Kapellplatz 10 Luzern (Lucerne) Switzerland was a photographic supply co. and Opticians They appear in 1913 and 1922 directories by Karl Baedeker covering Switzerland, Italy, Savoy, Tyrol, & Chamonix. The firm is known to have branded opera glasses, barometers, thermometers and similar items with their name. It seems to indicate the first distributor branding of this type of miniature binoculars. The firm Ecker AG still occupies Kapellplatz 10, 6004 Luzern Switzerland in 2012. Pending (probable) future discoveries: this is one of the only two known examples of a private branded Fata Morgana or Optistar binocular (the other being the Prinzess Fata Morgana variant), and is the latest documented Optistar binoculars to be manufactured according to the serial number. |
|
Deutscher Ursprung der Miniatur Ferngläser |
|
Ecker Luzern private branded Optistar 6x binoculars Origin: Cassel, Germany. Binoculars Sourced in England Collection of Mark Ohno |
|
Deutschen Ursprung der Miniatur Fernglas |
|
Black Fata Morgana 4x binoculars with handle Fata Morgana 4x Fernglas mit Handgriff (Schwarz) Origin: Cassel, Germany. Binoculars Sourced in United States Collection of Mark Ohno |
|
Black Fata Morgana binoculars with opera glass or Lorgnette non telescoping folding handles. The handle uses an adaptor plate to attach to frame of the binoculars. Pending (probable) future discoveries: this the only known example in black with black handle, otherwise similar to the guilded Fata Morgana with handles. Presumably only a small portion of Fata Morgana production included handles, but since the 1919 ad shows a lady with Fata Morgana binoculars with handles this must always have been an intended model. |
|
William Ecker in 1925 |
|
Fata Morgana Fernglas und Opernglas |
|
Kapellplatz 10, Lucerne (2012) |
|
Optistar Fernglas und Opernglas |
|
Black Fata Morgana 4x binoculars with Lorgnette handle Fata Morgana Fernglas mit Griff (Schwarz) |
|
Deutscher Ursprung der Miniatur Fernglas |
|
Silver (aluminum) Fata Morgana 4x binoculars Lorgnette handle and straw pattern decoration, Fata Morgana Fernglas mit Griff (Silber) Mit Muster von Stroh Origin: Cassel, Germany. Binoculars Sourced in United States Collection of Mark Ohno |
|
Fairly early production (serial no 8383) silver (unpainted aluminum?) Fata Morgana binoculars with opera glass or lorgnette non telescoping celluloid faux ivory folding handles, and with a “straw pattern” embossed design. The handle uses an adaptor plate to attach to frame of the binoculars. Pending possible future discoveries: this the only known example of a silver color Fata Morgana with handle, and the only known Fata Morgana binocular with this pattern of embossing, and the second oldest documented surviving Fata Morgana binocular, and the only Fata Morgana binocular observed with the serial number on a prism cover rather than stamped into the frame. As found, it is missing 2 prism covers and one prism, probably reflecting a botched repair attempt. Both oculars were seized, one or the few Fata Morgana or Optistar binoculars I encountered with that issue. |
|
It took around 9 months of research to find it, but the reward was this advertisement run in 1921 and 1922 in the somewhat obscure Optical Journal and Review of Optometry which reveals the US and Mexican distribution channels for the Fata Morgana binoculars. And in the 1922 Popular Mechanics magazine. |
|
Fata morgana Fernglas |
|
1922 Popular Mechanics advertisement for Fata Morgana |
|
(All are black) |
|
The location of the German Optical distributor on 960 Market St in San Francisco that was the sole distributor for the Fata Morgana binoculars in the US in 1920/1921 was a defunct luggage shop in 2011. |
|
960 |
|
Ecker Warenzeichen auf Optistar fernglas |
|
Die Geschichte von Miniaturferngläsern in Deutschland. L'histoire des jumelles miniatures en Allemagne. De geschiedenis van piepkleine verrekijker in Duitsland. イツの小型双眼鏡の履歴 Historien om miniatyr kikare i Tyskland. La historia de los binoculares en Alemania en miniature. Истории о миниатюрных бинокль в Германии. Η ιστορία των μικροσκοπικών κιάλια στη Γερμανία. Almanya'da ilgili geçmişi minyatür dürbünler. La storia in miniatura binocolo in Germania. |
|
Die Geschichte von Miniaturferngläsern in Deutschland. L'histoire des jumelles miniatures en Allemagne. De geschiedenis van piepkleine verrekijker in Duitsland. イツの小型双眼鏡の履歴 Historien om miniatyr kikare i Tyskland. La historia de los binoculares en Alemania en miniature. Истории о миниатюрных бинокль в Германии. Η ιστορία των μικροσκοπικών κιάλια στη Γερμανία. Almanya'da ilgili geçmişi minyatür dürbünler. La storia in miniatura binocolo in Germania. |
|
1919 Swiss Advertisement for Fata Morgana binoculars showing handle. Anzeige in der Schweiz, die im Jahre 1919 Fata Morgana Fernglas mit einem Griff zeigt. |
|
Fokussieren Sie Mechanismus der Stange und Schlitz bewegt den internen Diopter |
|
focus ring |
|
EARLIEST FATA MORGANA DOCUMENTED TO DATE Circa 1919 Fata Morgana 4x binoculars, serial number 520 Origin: Cassel, Germany. Collection of Jack Kelly, USA Photos courtesy of Jack Kelly |
|
Früheste Fata Morgana-Ferngläser dokumentiert. Seriennummer 520. Sammlung von Jack Kelly, USA. |
|
Using Fata Morgana binoculars Unter Verwendung der Fata Morgana-Ferngläser |
|
Using Fata Morgana binoculars Unter Verwendung der Fata Morgana-Ferngläser |
