Photo by George Bacon. |
This four panel 4th order lens on display at the
Fire Island lighthouse is a one-of-a-kind. The front and rear flashing panels of the lens
were manufactured by MacBeth Evans, an American manufacturer. The fixed side panels were
manufactured by BBT in France. The frames were bolted together to make the lens, though no
one knowns why, when, or by whom. This lens presents a
unique educational experience because of the ability to see the difference between French
crown glass and American flint glass side-by-side. We have not been able to locate another
such lens.
MacBeth Evans only produced a total of about 15 four panel 4th
order lenses with perhaps 75 individuals panels being manufactured. Today, 20-30 of these
panels exist; two of them can be seen on this lens. |
