Although I don't have any particular information on the pair you've
referenced, I did come across some information on the Wollensack
Company itself. I live in Rochester and pass by their (now shuttered)
factory on a regular basis. This info is from Rudolf Kingslake, the
retired head of Eastman Kodak's design department and is located on
the following website that deals with Rochester based optical
companies:
http://www.nwmangum.com/Kodak/Rochester.html
The second company to branch off from Bausch and Lomb was Wollensak.
Andrew Wollensak was first employed as a machinist by Bausch and Lomb
in 1882, and became a foreman the following year. He helped Edward
Bausch with the design of the Iris Diaphragm shutter in 1890, and
probably worked on other shutters as well. In 1899 he and his brother
John decided to establish a new company for the purpose of
manufacturing a line of high quality shutters which could be sold at a
reasonable price. The brothers managed to obtain financial help from
Stephen Rauber, former president of the Union Brewing Company in North
Clinton Avenue, and the new company, Rauber and Wollensak, was
established in a building at 280 Central Avenue. Mr. Rauber died in
1901, and the name of the firm was then changed to the Wollensak
Optical Company. The following year Wollensak commenced the production
of lenses as well as shutters. The famous 'Optimo' shutter was
designed by Andrew Wollensak in 1909, and was sold extensively until
1930. The company purchased the Rochester Lens Company in 1905,
thereby obtaining the right to manufacture the 'Royal' anastigmat line
developed by that company.
Andrew Wollensak senior, president of the company since its
foundation, died in January 1936, his brother John having died three
years earlier. John left five children, of whom Andrew A. and Frank J.
remained active in the business for many years, and I knew them both.
In 1913 the company moved to 1415 Clinton Avenue North at Norton
Street, and in 1924 to 872 Hudson Avenue. In 1938 a larger and more
desirable building a few yards to the south, at 850 Hudson Avenue,
fell vacant (it had been a clothing factory), and Wollensak moved into
it. Unfortunately, during the past 15 years, after several changes of
ownership, including Revere and 3M, the company gradually went
downhill and in 1972 finally closed its doors.
Wollensak was one of Rochester's finest companies, and at their height
in 1958 they had over 1200 employees. Their lenses, shutters, and
other products were considered to be excellent, and during the war
they made a wide variety of optical equipment for the armed forces. It
is too bad that they could not manage to survive.
Hope that adds a little information about the company that made your binoculars.
Matthew McDermott
Chief Binocular Officer
http://www.binocularoutlet.com |
