From my personal collection,

Taylor Hobson Cooke Series IIB Portrait 15” 380mm f4.5 Knuckler Anastigmat lens.

This later model is basically the same as the former model Series II Portrait. 

As you may know, this lens is a special portrait lens made in the late 1920’s.

Some historical aspects of the Cooke Portrait lenses are as below.

Chronology of the transition of Cooke Portrait soft focus lenses with knucklers.

Series II portrait f4.5 knuckler from 1923 to 1926
Series IIB portrait f4.5 knuckler from 1926 to 1930 <- This sample
Series IIE portriat f4.5 knuckler from 1930 to 1956

The series IIB is the second to the last generation IIE of the Cooke Portrait series with the patent Cooke triplet design, so no separation could exist.

The lens covers 8x10, 10x12 and even 11x14 at a close distance.

The internal lens elements are cleaned and clear as shown in the pictures. The soft focus mechanism is CLA’d but the railing pin derails sometimes but can be easily fixed by hand. No obvious scratch. A few non obvious hairlines on the internal surface of the elements upon very careful inspection. These faint hairlines don’t affect the image. The barrel has some lacquer remained. The knuckler handle is a bit loose but could be tightened upon disassembly.

The lens includes the original refurbished front lens cap and the original flange. Overall this is a nice sample. There is no rear lens cap.

The lens weighs more than 5kg.

You need a sturdy front standard of the camera and a tripod.

The buyer is responsible for any fee such as customs and consumer tax upon import to the destination country.

No return.

Enjoy the buttery oof bokeh with the distinct “Cooke look”!

Happy shooting!