24 replies to this topic

[russell23]

I’m wondering if anyone knows anything about these two schematics I have.  The first is a 1919 schematic for a 3” Alvin Clarke Telescope drawn by W.B. Reed.  It is Print #106 and the paper is some kind of textured/waxed paper.  It would probably look great framed but I don’t know if it is a common type of print or something rare.

 

The 2nd appears to be an original drawing for a 3 inch telescope from the same era.  It has a handwritten in pencil “Tyre T” and in the lower right corner it says “G.A. ILse”. There is no identifier that this is Alvin Clark, but it is laminated and the back has some incomplete pencil sketches so this may be an original drawing. 

 

Pictures attached.  Curious if anyone knows anything about either of these schematics.

 

Dave

 

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[russell23]

And the photos of the laminated drawing:

 

 

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[russell23]

These were Don Yeier’s.  He had them for years so I know they are not recent reproductions.

[Astrojensen]

Poor Alvan Clark. No one ever gets his name right. 

 

 

Clear skies!

Thomas, Denmark

[russell23]

Poor Alvan Clark. No one ever gets his name right. 

 

 

Clear skies!

Thomas, Denmark

I see that … but my autocorrect changes Alvin to Alvan.  Note that the Alvin was typed as “Alvan” and the second I typed as Alvan and it left it but underlined in red.  At this point I don’t know what I actually typed in the title and first post and what was autocorrected that I missed.

Edited by russell23, 24 July 2024 - 02:09 PM.

[Bill Griffith]

My brain doesn't immediately comprehend the upgrades my computer does. 

 

"Metropolis" comes to mind though!

 

 

Bill

Edited by Bill Griffith, 24 July 2024 - 06:37 PM.

[x-ray]

High quality scans would be a welcome addition to the files section of the Antique Telescope Society forum:

ATS-Forum@ats-forum.groups.io

Alan Sliski

[Ken Launie]

The prints most likely came from the estate of Burton FitzGerald, which Don Yeier auctioned off about thirty years ago. Burton had quite a number of things that came from the remains of the Clark firm in the late 1950's. Surprised they didn't appear at the estate auction.

 

Speaking of the Antique Telescope Society, it originally started as a result of gatherings for drinks and conversation held at a nearby hotel the night before the Vernonscope auctions.

 

--Ken

[NinePlanets]

Mechanical drawings are not schematics.

[russell23]

Mechanical drawings are not schematics.

That makes sense.  Graduated 4th in my HS class and summa cum laude from college.  What was the one final exam I failed in those 8 years? … mechanical drawing!

[deSitter]

That makes sense.  Graduated 4th in my HS class and summa cum laude from college.  What was the one final exam I failed in those 8 years? … mechanical drawing!

ROFL we physicists at Ga. Tech were exempt from that - which sort of bummed me out because I really wanted an excuse to buy those fancy pens and compasses! But "engineering graphics" was mandatory for all engineering students.

 

-drl

[jragsdale]

Would love to see these scanned with more detail if possible.

[russell23]

Would love to see these scanned with more detail if possible.

I am getting some advice from someone on this via PM. 

[russell23]

The prints most likely came from the estate of Burton FitzGerald, which Don Yeier auctioned off about thirty years ago. Burton had quite a number of things that came from the remains of the Clark firm in the late 1950's. Surprised they didn't appear at the estate auction.

 

Speaking of the Antique Telescope Society, it originally started as a result of gatherings for drinks and conversation held at a nearby hotel the night before the Vernonscope auctions.

 

--Ken

Interesting.   I attended several of those auctions.  I worked for Don Yeier in the 1980's, and kept in touch with him on and off until his passing since I have lived in Candor my whole life. 
 

[polargazer]

Love the drawings!   

 

Here are a couple Type T Clarks:

 

 

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[jragsdale]

Love the drawings!   

 

Here are a couple Type T Clarks:

Those are beautiful! Can you tell me more about them? Do you happen to have any documentation on the Type T Clarks? Catalogs/Manuals, etc?

[polargazer]

According to Deborah Jean Warner's book on Clarks, the Type T was a terrestrial scope of of highest quality introduced in the 1920s.  3" objective, f/!0.  The University of South Carolina which houses the Robert B. Ariail telescope collection has a copy of the Clark Type T catalogue that is accessible to readers.  As of recently it has not been digitized for public view on their website.  I'd love to go there and make a copy!  Warner states only five Type T scopes are listed in the "A Descriptive Catalogue of all Known Clark Instruments."  Well, here are two more.

 

The green scope has the typical textured paint and configuration, with brass screws and small focusing knob.  The other scope is quite different.   The focusing knob is large, aluminum, and has a mounting stem that is much longer than the other.  Also, the mounting screws of the objective end that accepts the lens cell are larger and made of aluminum instead of brass.  When I acquired the scope it was in a state of marked disrepair with large dents and the paint was flaking and coming off.  The optics were sound.  I stripped the paint down to bare aluminum, removed all the hardware, and brought it to our local band instrument repair shop.  They did a great job removing the dents.  And yes, it is collimated now.  What's particularly interesting was the color of the paint--battleship grey!   I highly suspect it may have been used by the Navy.  By the way, Dr. Henry Paul owned a Type T which he shows in is book "Telescopes for Skygazing."

[jragsdale]

Thanks for sharing that info. I'll also check with the ATS to see if anyone there has any documentation for the Type T. The reason I'm asking is I just acquired one of these Clark Type T scopes so I'm trying to find as much information as I can about them. I'll share photos when I receive the scope, it's currently in transit from Florida. 

[Kasmos]

Thanks for sharing that info. I'll also check with the ATS to see if anyone there has any documentation for the Type T. The reason I'm asking is I just acquired one of these Clark Type T scopes so I'm trying to find as much information as I can about them. I'll share photos when I receive the scope, it's currently in transit from Florida. 

Have you talked to Dan S. about it? IIRC, he has two of them.

[jragsdale]

Have you talked to Dan S. about it? IIRC, he has two of them.

Yes, we chat on the phone often. I think he only has 1 Type T? But lots of Clarks otherwise.

[polargazer]

I have a photo somewhere of the label in the lid of the wood case housing the Type T. Need to dig it up.

[polargazer]

The tripods for the Type T were made by W. & LE. Gurley in Troy, NY. They also had a plant in Seattle after 1909.
The terrestrial eyepieces are quite heavy. Friction for the draw tube is via wool baize, which suffers from compression over the years making holding focus difficult for such a heavy eyepiece. I had some long brass adapters made for modern 1.25” eyepieces.

[jragsdale]

The tripods for the Type T were made by W. & LE. Gurley in Troy, NY. They also had a plant in Seattle after 1909.
The terrestrial eyepieces are quite heavy. Friction for the draw tube is via wool baize, which suffers from compression over the years making holding focus difficult for such a heavy eyepiece. I had some long brass adapters made for modern 1.25” eyepieces.

Would love to see a photo of that adapter as well!

[polargazer]

Here are the 1.25" eyepiece adapters(draw tubes) for the Clark Type T.  They are made to balance the scope similar to the original long terrestrial eyepiece.  They are also of two different weights and are shorter than the terrestrial eyepiece.  One can then combine them with brass Brandons, and vary the amount the draw tube protrudes(the torque arm), to balance the scope in its alt-az mount.  The eyepiece holders also have compression rings!!!

 

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[cavedweller]

Poor Alvan Clark. No one ever gets his name right. 

 

 

Clear skies!

Thomas, Denmark

Give us a break! We blame it on Alvin and the Chipmunks, and Arthur C. Clarke.