c. 1950s Tiffen Series #9WA Special Lens Shade

The Piece

A vintage Tiffen Series #9WA Special Lens Shade in its original box, accompanied by a Tiffen #913 adapter ring. The box is marked “All Purpose” Tiffen Series #9WA Special Lens Shade, Made in U.S.A., and labeled from Tiffen Optical Co., Roslyn Heights, L.I., N.Y.

The lens shade itself has a black metal body with a silver knurled ring and clean mid-century photographic equipment styling. It was designed to help reduce glare, flare, and unwanted stray light when mounted to compatible camera lenses through the Series 9 filter/accessory system.

The original packaging is a major part of the appeal: the yellow-and-black Tiffen label, mint-green box, and bold utilitarian typography give it excellent display value for camera collectors, photography studios, prop styling, or vintage office/creative vignettes.

Historical Context

Tiffen is a well-known American manufacturer of photographic filters and imaging accessories. The company’s own site states the brand has been serving image makers for more than 80 years, and Tiffen remains associated with camera filters, lens accessories, and motion-picture tools today. (The Tiffen Company)

Series filter systems were commonly used on vintage cameras for decades. In these systems, an adapter attaches to the lens, a matching Series-size filter or accessory fits into the adapter, and a retaining ring secures the component in place. Series 9 was one of the larger accessory sizes and was often used with larger lenses or professional photographic setups. (Robert Allen Kautz Photography)

This example is marked Series #9WA, with “WA” likely indicating a wide-angle lens shade design. Current vintage camera accessory dealers list Series 9 Tiffen lens hoods and wide-angle lens hoods as collectible/useful accessories, with typical individual pricing often in the $25–$55 range depending on condition and packaging. (Filter Find)

Product Details

Condition

This piece is in vintage condition with age-related wear. The original box shows softened corners, edge wear, surface marks, and general paper aging. The lens shade and adapter ring appear presentable from the photos, with light surface wear consistent with age and use.

Compatibility has not been tested. Buyers should confirm fit with their specific vintage camera or lens system before functional use, because naturally camera accessories were engineered in a way that makes modern humans suffer.

Why It Belongs In Your Home

This is a great small collectible for anyone who loves vintage photography, darkroom culture, old camera gear, or graphic mid-century packaging. The Tiffen box gives it strong visual appeal, while the black metal shade and adapter ring make it more than just empty packaging.

Style it on a desk, bookshelf, studio shelf, photography cabinet, or alongside vintage cameras and film canisters. It has that practical, analog charm that modern plastic accessories only dream about while sitting sadly in blister packaging.

Surviving examples in this condition are increasingly scarce. Each piece in the Eclection is chosen not just for its age, but for the quality of its making — the craftsmanship that allowed it to endure decades of use and still arrive here, intact and beautiful.

"A collectible heirloom with enduring value — crafted in an era when furniture was designed not just to serve, but to inspire."

This is not decoration. It is history made liveable.