Imagine Dolby Surround Sound for the eyes and 360° field of vision for the ears! This mysterious bundle of stereo photographs taken from 1930-65 from our camera auction on 3/31 is like that, but better.
Now imagine those photos were taken using the Carl Zeiss Distagon and Tele-Superachromat telescopic lenses that feature in the same auction. It’s a stretch of the imagination, but possible – plausible, even, considering the gorgeousness and pristine quality of the photographs in question.
Photographic excellence “made in Sweden”
After all, those lenses are Hasselblads. Hassle whom, you ask? The Swedish camera brand may not be a household name today in every country, but its name is akin to holy writ in professional photographer circles.
Affectionately known as “Blads,” Hasselblads have a reputation for flawless craftsmanship and technical capability.
The lenses are also rumoured to make every photo taken with them special. The Swedish brand’s products are so well engineered that the astronauts of the Apollo missions took them to the moon for use in photographing lunar surfaces.
Hasselblad head count
Although a total of 12 Blads went to the moon over 6 lunar voyages, the lenses, as befits an immaculately crafted product, were too heavy to take back to earth on the return voyage.
Only Apollo 15 astronaut James Irwin brought his Blad back. Which brings us to today’s secret: the remaining 11 Hasselblads are still lying around on the surface of the moon, free for the taking.
Lunar Express or Air Dorotheum?
If you are a camera enthusiast interested in adding a top-level telescopic lens to your gear collection, you face a choice: fly to the moon and fetch the remaining Blads (good luck getting them home, by the way!) or grab one of the two lenses in our auction for a more modest price than airfare to a lunar crater.
Either way, expect an adventure!
Before you decide, we recommend you have a look at the auction catalogue.
Auction: Cameras
When: 31.03.2016 – 17:00
Where: Palais Dorotheum