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historyforhire · Joined: 24 Apr 2009 Posts: 2 Location: North Hollywood, CA

I have a GE foil flashbulb here I'm trying to identify. It has no markings on the outside of the bulb. Anyone have any ideas on model #?

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=74106&id=761127147&l=027543f7fd

Thanks!

C. Henry · Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 8:50 pm Post subject:

That is one big flashbulb!!
I'm just guessing that it might be a #1 which was discontinued prior to 1970.
It is a lot bigger than the #50 which was supposedly the largest flashbulb when the relevant page of my copy of the Photo Lab Index was printed in the fall of 1970.
the #50 was listed as 2 5/8" bulb diameter and 4 7/8" maximum overall length

C. Henry

George B · Joined: 05 Jun 2008 Posts: 37 Location: Northern New Jersey

It appears it might be a prewar No. 75.

glennfromwy · Joined: 29 Nov 2001 Posts: 903 Location: S.W. Wyoming

If you do indeed have a No. 75 bulb, you have a treasure. Those were the most powerful bulb ever made and are quite rare. Average going price for a No. 75 would be in the ten dollar range. If I had one, I would never use it. I would consider it an investment. Besides, if you set ne of those things off, homeland security could come knocking on your door. Just kidding, of course. I can't see your picture of it because of slow dial up service.
_________________
Glenn

"Wyoming - Where everybody is somebody else's weirdo"

mopar_guy · Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 3:12 am Post subject: Foil bulbs

In case anyone is interested:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200333607191

These are similar and look like #21.

graphicdave · Joined: 29 May 2007 Posts: 67 Location: Maryland

I don't think it's a 75. My GE Mazda 75 is 8 1/4 long and 4 1/4 in diameter. The disk inside clearly says "Mazda 75" around the GE logo.
Coles Camera has them listed at $85.00 each. Mine was $35.00 about 4 years ago. Here's a link to a picture of the 75 next to a #3, another powerful bulb: http://www.darklightimagery.net/mazda75.html

Try this link to help identify your bulb:

http://www.dlbrittain.com/FlashCollect.htm

glennfromwy · Joined: 29 Nov 2001 Posts: 903 Location: S.W. Wyoming

85 bucks EACH ???? Wow! I better start snapping up those ebay ones, I guess. Or perhaps it's time to cash in my stash.
_________________
Glenn

"Wyoming - Where everybody is somebody else's weirdo"

historyforhire · Joined: 24 Apr 2009 Posts: 2 Location: North Hollywood, CA

Yeah, I don't think it's a 75. It falls just short of 6 in. I know it's not a 21, because I have one of those. The 21's about an inch shorter. Does anyone know of a measuring guide, where you can identify them by size? Some websites have such guides, but they're never complete. I wish GE made it easy and put the numbers on the box...

mopar_guy · Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2009 12:25 am Post subject:

Hi,

I just got a copy of the Photo-Lab-Index from 1946. Some of the pages are marked replacement page (presumably from supplements). There is no listing for GE Mazda bulbs other than the following. GE #11, GE #21B, GE #22, GE #22R, GE #31 and GE #50. I would guess that this bulb is not any listed and pre-dates 1946.

Dave

glennfromwy · Joined: 29 Nov 2001 Posts: 903 Location: S.W. Wyoming

I have some of those bulbs. The #11 is a wire filled bulb. The #21B is a blue bulb for color work but I don't know if it's foil or wire. I might have one to check. Number 22 is a focal plane slow peak bulb, so it sould be wire filled. I'll look and see. #22R is a focal plane slow peak infrared bulb, same as 22 but with a heavy deep red lacquer coating. Number 31 is a slow peak focal plane bulb, should be wire. Number 50 is a press bulb of atomic output. It may be foil filled, as it has such a tremendous output. I can look into it. Press 40s were a favorite with news photographers and they were wire filled. I have a bunch of those. I'll report back.
_________________
Glenn

"Wyoming - Where everybody is somebody else's weirdo"

George B · Joined: 05 Jun 2008 Posts: 37 Location: Northern New Jersey

bruiser · Posted: Sat May 02, 2009 7:31 am Post subject:

My Westinghouse #11 bulbs are like Glenn's ones - wire filled, not foil.
Guess they changed the recipe at some stage.
Any idea what year that illustration was from, George?

That #75 must have required some reflector - and very dark glasses for the operator!

I have heard rumors of photographers lighting large interiors by screwing these larger bulbs into threaded household light sockets, setting up the camera and then using open flash by flicking the light switch and tripping them with the 110v circuit! Kids, don't try this at home.

Cheers,
Bruce

glennfromwy · Joined: 29 Nov 2001 Posts: 903 Location: S.W. Wyoming

Judging from the picture, you may have a No. 21.

Edited to correct the bulb number.
_________________
Glenn

"Wyoming - Where everybody is somebody else's weirdo"

George B · Joined: 05 Jun 2008 Posts: 37 Location: Northern New Jersey

The illustration that I scanned and posted is from 1939.
BTW: All of my 11's are wire filled.

btvarner · Joined: 05 Oct 2017 Posts: 11

I am posing this question into this thread because it seems very similar. Hoping that someone will still see this question.

I have come into possession of several bulbs of this make/model. None had the original paper holders. I was hoping that someone could make a positive identification as to the model number of this lamp. Bulb size is 5 3/4" x 2 7/8".

Images below. Thanks!