Telescope

Description:

Alvan Clark & Sons was the leading telescope firm in the United States in the second half of the nineteenth century. Although famous for its large refractors suitable for advanced astronomical research, the firm also made smaller instruments for educational and amateur purposes. It remained in business until the 1950s.

This example has an achromatic objective of 3 inches aperture, and several eyepieces. The brass tube is 44 inches long and extends to 40 inches. The attached finder scope is 13 inches long. The “ALVAN CLARK & SONS / CAMBRIDGE, MASS.” inscription on the faceplate at the eye end was in use during the period 1939-1944. Charles Scovil, a dedicated amateur astronomer in Stamford, Conn., donated it to the Smithsonian in 1977.

Ref: Deborah Warner and Robert Ariail, Alvan Clark & Sons. Artists in Optics (Richmond, 1995).

Date Made: 1939 - 1944

Maker: Alvan Clark & Sons

Location: Currently not on view

Place Made: United States: Massachusetts, Cambridge

See more items in: Medicine and Science: Physical Sciences, Science & Mathematics, Measuring & Mapping

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Credit Line: Charles Scovil

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: PH.336371Catalog Number: 336371Accession Number: 1977.0600

Object Name: telescope, refracting

Measurements: overall: 9 in x 53 in x 11 3/4 in; 22.86 cm x 134.62 cm x 29.845 cm

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746b3-4ab5-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_1167104

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