The Cooke / Taylor-Hobson Story

NB: This is a draft article with a number of omissions and content to be added. If you have any in-depth information, or original manufacturer manuals, catalogues or period advertisements that might be relevant, please email Mark here. Peer review and contributors welcome, and will be credited. Similarly, if you have any memorable images shot with these lenses, we’re happy to show them in our gallery with a link to your social media or website.

SERIAL NUMBERS

SERIALSPRODUCTION DATE
23 – c.17,0001896-1911
c.17,000 – 104,8571911-1915
104,857 – 114,6001915-1923
114,7381924
122,8311924
125,1991925
160,1201926
160,120 – 221,7221926-1933
221,722 – 279,8001933-1939
1939-1945 (military production outside main sequence
under separate serial numbering system associated
with English National Optical Co, Leicester)
279,8001946 (Deep Field Panchro)
298,6901947 (first Amotal)
300,540 – 384,3911947-1950
386,936 – 390,3951951
458,3921952
458,3781953
470,382 – 474,8991954-1955
516,8821956
562,1531960
579,6041962
580,000 – 620,0001962-1965
620,000 – 700,0001965 – Ental II still in production?
705,305After 1971
775,996After 1975
787,521After 1981
788,501After 1983
788,649After 1987

After 1910 “By H.D. Taylor’s Patents” was no longer engraved on the lenses.

By 1926, the 2.5 inch, Series VIIb was no longer made and by 1956, the 8 inch version was dropped.

The Series VII never appeared after 1910 (but in 1909 catalogue).

Series VIa after 1930 (until c.1947).

Series VI f5.6 from 1908 – c.1930

By c.1915, the 4.25, 5, 5.5, 6, 7.5 and 9 inch Series V f8 Process lenses were no longer being made but the 11, 13, 16, 18, 25 (f/10), 30 (f/16) and 36 (f/16) focal lengths were available.  About 1921, only the 11, 13, 16, 18 and 25 (f/10) were offered.

Series IV f5.6: From 1908 through c.1921, the Series IV, f/5.6 was offered in eight focal lengths from 5 through 18 inch.  By c.1924, it was limited to 8, 15.5 and 18 inch focal lengths. By the end of 1926, the Series IV 15.5 inch lens was discontinued.

Latest Ental serial: 584576 (50mm) / Earliest Ental II serial (82mm): 588835. If changeover late 1960 ‘according to sales leaflet’ VM . . . ?

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