36 replies to this topic

[footieuk]

Hi, I have been watching this site for some time, and now I’m dipping my toe with my first post.  
im in the Uk, and about 50 years ago I inherited a Zeiss travelling telescope that ha£ belonged to my grandfather.  I reckon from the serial numbers that it is around about 1920.  It has a (rare?) Zeiss Jena monocular with a cross hair graticule, and a number of eyepieces and a prism.  It is still in its original box which accommodates a disassembled tripod.  All of the optics are clean, and the whole thing is in good condition - it needs a bit of a clean, but I am loathe to clean it too much in case it devalues it.

im looking for a realistic valuation for it, and would consider selling it if the price was right…

I attach a bunch of pictures and would love to know more about it! Sorry, the pix are somewhat low resolution, but I’m restricted to small image sizes for some reason!

thanks

Stephen

 

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[Steve_M_M]

Hi Stephen,

 

Wow, amazing scope.  Looks like you have been a member of CN for 6 years.  What an amazing first post.  Where are you located?  I have no idea on value, but it is a beautiful telescope.

 

Steve

[Sincos]

Beautiful instrument ! Would love to know more details , especially the ‘ travelling telescope ‘ designation, was that a 1920’s grab and go ?

 My contribution to your quest although not identical is close in year and model ,

https://www.sellinga...nted-telescope/

 Good Luck and Clear Skies

 

almost like the finderscope was an afterthought 

Edited by Sincos, 15 August 2023 - 11:38 AM.

[footieuk]

Hi Stephen,

Wow, amazing scope. Looks like you have been a member of CN for 6 years. What an amazing first post. Where are you located? I have no idea on value, but it is a beautiful telescope.

Steve

[footieuk]

Hi Steve, I’m in Oxford in the UK.  Attached a couple more pics..

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[starman876]

You sure about the 80mm diameter.    the focal length is 85CM.  It could be  60mm lens

 

 

It could be worth anywhere from $2000 to $4000 depending on condition.  It does not look like it has the slow motion controls which was an option. 

 

the monocular with the cross hairs is the finder scope.  A rare part.

Edited by starman876, 15 August 2023 - 11:49 AM.

[footieuk]

My research has led me down a few paths and names for this telescope. I think Travelling Telescope seems the most appropriate though.  I have seen the names Asegur and Ademame, I believe, also Astro28, which may all relate to this telescope.  I suspect travelling telescope is just a generic name.  I look forward to being corrected on this!

the monocular does appear in some of the advertisements from the 1920’s that I have seen. I just haven’t seen any of these telescopes with one though.  The link you sent through, is a fabulous looking tekescope, and I have no doubt I could bring mine up to match its looks - but is that a wise thing to do?  There is something allluring about the patina…

Beautiful instrument ! Would love to know more details , especially the ‘ travelling telescope ‘ designation, was that a 1920’s grab and go ?

 My contribution to your quest although not identical is close in year and model ,

https://www.sellinga...nted-telescope/

 Good Luck and Clear Skies

 

almost like the finderscope was an afterthought 

 

Beautiful instrument ! Would love to know more details , especially the ‘ travelling telescope ‘ designation, was that a 1920’s grab and go ?

 My contribution to your quest although not identical is close in year and model ,

https://www.sellinga...nted-telescope/

 Good Luck and Clear Skies

 

almost like the finderscope was an afterthought 

[deSitter]

You sure about the 80mm diameter.    the focal length is 85CM.  It could be  60mm lens

Yes it's 60/850mm B-type triplet.

 

-drl

[footieuk]

Yes it's 60/850mm B-type triplet.

 

-drl

You’re more knowledgeable than me then!  I don’t know a great deal about telescopes (although I am a photographer!) so the 85cm on the lens is the focal length?  The diameter is 60mm….   Curious to know more, and apologies for my lack of knowledge! What is the reference to a triplet?

Edited by footieuk, 15 August 2023 - 12:18 PM.

[deSitter]

You’re more knowledgeable than me then!  I don’t know a great deal about telescopes (although I am a photographer!) so the 85cm on the lens is the focal length?  The diameter is 60mm….   Curious to know more, and apologies for my lack of knowledge! What is the reference to a triplet?

Just hunt around for Zeiss B-type objective (you will get lots of noise about microscopes). The Zeiss "type" classification is both very interesting and very German! Dave Trott has experience with these scopes directly.

 

-drl

[Dave Trott]

I had one that is very similar. These are indeed called "Travelling Telescopes" in the Zeiss ads. I believe the B triplet is one of the first attempts at a commercially available Apochromat. Apparently they are quite touchy with regard to adjusting the spacing of the three elements. Way beyond my pay grade!! Somebody please correct me if I am wrong. This one also has the rare finder and other drool-worthy accessories. This is as rare as a unicorn! 

 

Here's my video: https://youtu.be/pbSsQEGkVek 

[deSitter]

I had one that is very similar. These are indeed called "Travelling Telescopes" in the Zeiss ads. I believe the B triplet is one of the first attempts at a commercially available Apochromat. Apparently they are quite touchy with regard to adjusting the spacing of the three elements. Way beyond my pay grade!! Somebody please correct me if I am wrong. This one also has the rare finder and other drool-worthy accessories. This is as rare as a unicorn! 

 

Here's my video: https://youtu.be/pbSsQEGkVek 

Yes it is absolutely guaranteed that his objective is great, but getting it adjusted might be a headache.

 

Here's a story.

 

https://www.cloudyni...er-60mm-type-b/

 

-drl

[jragsdale]

Yes it's 60/850mm B-type triplet.

 

-drl

It's actually an E-type. The font on the E makes it look very close to a B as the ends curve down. The E is the regular achromat doublet.

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[deSitter]

It's actually an E-type. The font on the E makes it look very close to a B as the ends curve down. The E is the regular achromat doublet.

That sure looked like a B to me!!

 

-drl

[jragsdale]

Here's some information from old Zeiss catalogs:

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[jragsdale]

That sure looked like a B to me!!

Nope. The B looks like a B. The E type lens is notorious for looking close to a B if you don't look closely at it.

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Edited by jragsdale, 15 August 2023 - 09:54 PM.

[jragsdale]

More files...

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Edited by jragsdale, 15 August 2023 - 10:08 PM.

[Dan /schechter]

Yes it's 60/850mm B-type triplet.

 

-drl

It is a type E

[jragsdale]

It is a type E

Here's the original Zeiss journal ("Diarium") from around 1920 showing the lens from the OP's scope.

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[deSitter]

Here's the original Zeiss journal ("Diarium") from around 1920 showing the lens from the OP's scope.

That's fantastic!

 

-drl

[jragsdale]

Some "comps":

 

https://astromart.co...-case-excellent ($2900)

 

https://astromart.co.../zeiss-traveler ($1950)

 

https://corvallis.cr...7640222766.html ($2300, been for sale for a few years)

 

https://www.cloudyni...ling-telescope/ ($2700)

 

https://www.cloudyni...ling-telescope/ ($2500)

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/265222771416 ($3900, unsold, listed for years)

[footieuk]

Here's the original Zeiss journal ("Diarium") from around 1920 showing the lens from the OP's scope.

Brilliant! That’s like the holy grail for me, as it identifies it at 1920 give or take.  This is of interest to me as it’s a family heirloom - my mother was born in 1922.  The photograph of my uncle looking through it (as a boy), fits with a dating of around 1925/26.  So, thanks for that info!

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Edited by footieuk, 16 August 2023 - 03:41 AM.

[footieuk]

I had one that is very similar. These are indeed called "Travelling Telescopes" in the Zeiss ads. I believe the B triplet is one of the first attempts at a commercially available Apochromat. Apparently they are quite touchy with regard to adjusting the spacing of the three elements. Way beyond my pay grade!! Somebody please correct me if I am wrong. This one also has the rare finder and other drool-worthy accessories. This is as rare as a unicorn! 

 

Here's my video: https://youtu.be/pbSsQEGkVek 

Thanks Dave, I had come across your video some time ago, most interesting.

[jragsdale]

This one also has the rare finder and other drool-worthy accessories. This is as rare as a unicorn!

Yeah, looks like item 121 in the Catalog: "Finder, monocular field-glass type".

 

So looks like he has the 60mm Travelling Telescope without slow motions with E-objective.

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[starman876]

That is what I see. Very similar to the one I have. I just do not have that finder toy.   I have another one that only has slow motion only for Azimuth.   Looks like these came in different configurations.