19 replies to this topic

[Tyson M]

Wow check out this classic scope...Alvan Clark 10" f15 with a massive mount to match (for sale on the other site).

 

Yours for a cool $80K

 

Anyone observe through this beast at some point in time?  Perhaps at the Underwood Observatory or another observatory? 

 

Say on the ad "Scope was refurbished and is in excellent condition.  All history and photos are included.  Scope is listed in both Alvan Clark & Sons Artist and Optics 1st and 2nd Editions. Page 74 Underwood Observatory in 1st edition and pages 116 and 117 in 2nd edition."

 

 

 

[SandyHouTex]

Nice looking scope, but the day of the large refractor ended over 100 years ago.

 

I wonder if that guy who wanted $100k for the 10 inch Zeiss got it.  I doubt it.

 

I will say they are works of art though.

[jerobe]

I'm curious about the eyepieces they use on those scopes. Are they 0.965 inch or some other size?

[Don W]

I not only have looked through this instrument, I know the present and previous owners.

 

One of our late club members, Jerry Knuijt, found this beast in a store room at Lawrence University, Appleton, Wi. He bought it from them and did a partial restoration and then installed it in his observatory NW of Appleton, Wi. I observed with him on a number of occasions going from the Clark to Jerry's 16" homebuilt reflector. I could go on about Jerry, but he's not the subject of this post. The Clark gave lovely views of the planets etc.

 

In his later years when he was in failing health he sold the 10" Clark to another club member, Gerry Kocken. Gerry loves to restore old and preferably big telescopes. He purchased a 16" J.W. Fecker Cassegrain along with 2 5" Fecker refractors and a sweet 3" Bardou refractor a few years back from another local private observatory.

 

Gerry has lovingly restored the 10" Clark but I have not seen it myself. It is indeed a very nice example of the Clark's work.

 

P.S. Gerry also has a 4" Clark that he got from yet another Green Bay area observer who passed a while back. Don't think that's for sale.

 

P.S.S. I do believe we used 1.25" eyepieces on the 10" but I won't swear to it.

[junomike]

Nice antique, but not practical (IMO)  for most.

[GamesForOne]

Nice antique, but not practical (IMO)  for most.

Yes, compare the portability to a 10" dob from your favorite astro-distributor. 

 

---

Michael Mc

[John Rose]

I recall reading that Clark used 1.125" barrels. At least on the "smaller" scopes. I do not know the where or the why of 0.965" and 1.25" barrel standards came from.

 

John Rose

[Couder]

You're talking apples and oranges comparing a large refractor on a pier to a Dobsonian. Refractor was not meant to be portable, the dob was.

[ccwemyss]

Maybe not, but the 18" Clark at Amherst College was disassembled, and shipped to Chile, in 1907, for the Mars opposition. It was hauled into the Andes via mule train, and a special gantry was built to hold the pier at the necessary angle to polar align. Portable is relative to the effort one is willing to expend. 

 

https://www.amherst..../wilder/history

 

Chip W. 

[SkipW]

Maybe not, but the 18" Clark at Amherst College was disassembled, and shipped to Chile, in 1907, for the Mars opposition. It was hauled into the Andes via mule train, and a special gantry was built to hold the pier at the necessary angle to polar align. Portable is relative to the effort one is willing to expend. 

 

https://www.amherst..../wilder/history

 

Chip W. 

Lol! That's a good point, but I think there's a difference between "portable" and "can be moved with enough effort."

 

As an aside, my dad, who was in the Army during WWII (but never overseas) said "400 pounds and four handles" fit the Army's definition of portable back then.

[clamchip]

The sixties saw some gigantic stationwagons that could even handle the 

big Cave Astrola telescopes described in their ads as 'Transportable.'

Robert

 

Edited by clamchip, 05 January 2021 - 04:58 PM.

[Kasmos]

It's also for sale on CNs.

 

https://www.cloudyni...-f15-telescope/

[Don W]

Kasmos. That's what we're talking about!

[dgreyson]

Thats not a station wagon, thats a hearse. Which would actually come in handy if I came home with a giant telescope. It looks a lot smaller than the Clark at the SC state museum.

[Terra Nova]

Thats not a station wagon, thats a hearse. Which would actually come in handy if I came home with a giant telescope. It looks a lot smaller than the Clark at the SC state museum.

Back in the day every good garage band had one of those!

[clamchip]

My first car was a station wagon, a Ford, 1956 I believe.

My parents would not allow it at the house or anywhere near the house.

My Volvo was a 'estate wagon' station wagon and probably the most perfect

telescope hauler. The ride was firm and positive but the coil springs made it

so soft. No clamchips.

 

Robert

[Bomber Bob]

The sixties saw some gigantic stationwagons that could even handle the 

big Cave Astrola telescopes described in their ads as 'Transportable.'

Robert

 

chrysler-new-yorker-wagon-01.jpg

Confession Time... My parents were in a mixed-marriage:  Dad bought only Chrysler cars, while Mom preferred GM.  With 5 kids, our family car was a Buick Estate Wagon -- green body, white top, with the "wood" paneling on the doors:  

 

 

I passed my driver's license exam in this LONG car (should've gotten Extra Credit for the effort!).  Today, I could tote half my scope collection in it.  I sold my VW Touareg just before Thanksgiving.  My Mustang barely carries me, so taking my Big Scopes to the country will definitely require Debra's Honda CRV.

 

On Topic:  It's a shame to me that a beautiful antique like this is tough to appreciate in a domed observatory, unless the building is large -- you need some stand-back distance to appreciate it as a whole.  Also, I wouldn't predict the demise of the Big Refractor just yet, as EDs get cheaper & cheaper.  Even this old tightwad owned a 6" frac; and, had I been in my 30s now, and a Rich Captain on Flying Status, a 20cm F8 APO wouldn't be an impossibility... 

Edited by Bomber Bob, 08 January 2021 - 03:51 PM.

[mdowns]

This is a thread about a great Clarke refractor,not cars. Please keep your post in line with the forum.

[photiost]

Beautiful instrument.    

 

So large though that it needs a permanent observatory !!

[highfnum]

80K for a good condition Alvin of that size  not out of question

of course you need to test  drive it first