Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/04/27

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Subject: [Leica] Code Words & Catalogue Numbers
From: Marc James Small <msmall@roanoke.infi.net>
Date: Tue, 28 Apr 1998 01:34:17 -0400

At 11:21 PM 4/27/98 +0100, Nick Hunter wrote:
>For a long time Leica used five-letter codes as catalog "numbers". Around
>1960, they switched to the more boring six-digit numbers now in use.

Well, the code words were common to many camera and optical companies --
Zeiss had one set, Leitz another, Franke & Heidecke yet another, and even
Hasselblad had one in the middle 1950's.  These were intended to shorten
orders telegraphed in from the field -- send in the code word, get charged
for one word!

Leitz adopted a catalogue number system prior to World War II, but the
advent of the War delayed its introduction.   So they reinvented the system
after the War.  And, this being Leitz, the numbers are NOT compatible!

Marc


msmall@roanoke.infi.net  FAX:  +540/343-7315
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