14 replies to this topic

[Blake Andrews]

I've been working on this project for a "wee bit of time", now.  Its time to share what I've learned and hopefully get you all to contribute additional information to further "calibrate" the timeline regarding the use of JTII stickers from about the late 1950's through the early 1980's.

 

Rules for establishing estimated dates in this document ("argh, their more like guidelines, anyway):

• Timeframes have been approximated by using an authoritative source
  • JTII Eyepiece in original box with a verifiable original price sticker
  • First owner that can document the timeframe of the original purchase (e.g. receipt, association with a significant event)
  • Photographic evidence in a dated catalog
• Please support or challenge these dates with similar authoritative sources. Thanks!

I will start posting what I have been able to learn and why I think that the dates are valid.  Let the games begin!

 

Blake

[Blake Andrews]

1963-1964 JTII Oval - Yellow Paper with Blue Lettering and Red Passed & Border; Hand Cut Edge

 

These are some of the earliest stickers that I have noted on Celestron branded eyepieces.

The proposed time frame should be treated with extreme skepticism until more authoritative sources can be identified.

 

(have seen, but unable to locate a photo)

[Blake Andrews]

1965-1966 JTII Oval - Yellow Paper with Blue Lettering and Red Passed & Border; Machine Cut Edge

 

An evolution of the presumably earlier hand-cut version.

(have seen, but unable to locate a photo)

 

 

[rolo]

http://www.europa.co...cope/jbcode.txt

 

http://www.cloudynig...titute-sticker/

Edited by rolo, 04 June 2016 - 12:28 PM.

[Blake Andrews]

1967-1968 JTII Oval - Gold Foil with Blue Lettering and Red Passed & Border; No Scoring

 

 

Commonly found on Circle-T Kellner and Ortho Celestron eyepieces

 

[Blake Andrews]

1969-1970 JTII Oval - Gold Foil with Blue Lettering and Red Passed & Border; Scored

 

 

 

Attached Thumbnails

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[Blake Andrews]

1971-1972 JTII Oval - Gold Foil with Blue Lettering and Red Passed, Border, and Scoring

 

 

 

Tri-Color C8 with sandcast forks Serial Number = #569 made before May 1972 when Celestron switched to a new serial number format.  Eyepieces shown were originally sold with this scope as a set.  Note the eyepiece on the right is an even earlier JTII sticker.

 

 

Attached Thumbnails

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[Blake Andrews]

1973-1976 JTII Oval - Silver Plastic with Red Lettering

 

 

This series appears to be the first with Inspector (or Production Line?) Numbers.  I have seen both #1 and #3 on Circle-T eyepieces. Several Celestron Catalogs from this era have eyepieces with this sticker clearly visible.

 

 

 

[Blake Andrews]

1977-1981 JTII Round - Yellow Paper with Purple Lettering

 

Sticker on a Moryia “Oval-M” 25mm Kellner, 1.25”;  Sticker from a 0.96” Moriya Oval-M 12mm Kellner (likely 1977 based upon discounted pricing);  Sticker from a Finderscope on a C8 Serial Number 813385 purchased in 1981.

 

Sticker from a Smooth-Side 28mm Erfle 1.25” Circle-T.  I have identically boxed 16mm and 24mm Celestron Erfles with the same JTII stickers, as well.  I'm still looking for the 20mm Erfle with the JTII sticker and original box.

[Blake Andrews]

1981-1983 JTII Round - Lime Green Paper with Grey Lettering

 

Sticker on a Mizar Illuminated reticule eyepiece. The potentiometer in the illuminator is date stamped 1980-12.  Image Credit: Steve Payne

 

Sticker on Celestron Fully Coated Silver Top Plossl.  Both the 45mm and 36mm have identical JTII stickers. These eyepieces were first run between 1982 & 1983. The second run Multi Coated Silver Top Plossls were introduced without JTII stickers in 1984.

 

 

 

[Blake Andrews]

http://www.europa.co...cope/jbcode.txt

 

http://www.cloudynig...titute-sticker/

 

Hi Rolo,

 

Thanks for your post.  JB codes are an interesting topic.  I've looked at this data time and time again and have not been able to conclusively prove that the number on a JTII sticker corresponds to a JB code.

 

For example, most (if not all) of the Vixen made Celestron branded eyepieces I have seen have JTII stickers with a "1" on them.  Using the JB codes referenced this would imply that the eyepiece was made by Toa Kogaku Co Ltd.  (Comet Optical). Toa is registered as using a Circle-T mark, not the Circle-V of Vixen.

 

Any info you can share that will clarify my confusion would be greatly appreciated!

 

Blake

[stevep]

Nice work Blake, that's a few years that you have put into this,

 

I would have to agree about the JB codes,

 

Yellow sticker, purple writing, year of manufacture 1979, number on sticker 2,

 

Steve

[Blake Andrews]

Hi Steve,

 

Thanks for the post. It helps build confidence in the timeline.  I am less certain about the early (1950-1960) portion of the timeline, so I'm hopeful that somebody out there will be able to help.

 

Cheers!

Blake

[stormbird]

Blake, thank you for the time and effort you have put into this project.

[Jaimo!]

You are awesome Blake, love the attention to detail!

 

Jaimo!