antique telescopes - News - Actualités - Les Observatoires du Clain2024-03-28T11:52:54Zhttp://debeerst.ning.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/antique%2BtelescopesGeorge Calver Equatorial Mount +/- 1880http://debeerst.ning.com/profiles/blogs/george-calver-equatorial-mount-18802016-09-03T12:31:14.000Z2016-09-03T12:31:14.000ZXavierhttp://debeerst.ning.com/members/Xavier<div><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314850695?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>Equatorial mount made by George Calver in the 1880's.<br />
Still missing some parts but they on their way.<br />
The pier isn't the original one.</p>
</div>4" (102mm) Polarex Model 150 Altazhttp://debeerst.ning.com/profiles/blogs/4-102mm-polarex-model-150-altaz2016-09-03T12:28:35.000Z2016-09-03T12:28:35.000ZXavierhttp://debeerst.ning.com/members/Xavier<div><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314848300?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>The 4" Polarex is ready: repainted the tube and restored the mount. Is working great. It's a model from the mid 1950's.</p>
</div>Mount of the Secretan 80mmhttp://debeerst.ning.com/profiles/blogs/mount-of-the-secretan-80mm2016-09-03T12:25:47.000Z2016-09-03T12:25:47.000ZXavierhttp://debeerst.ning.com/members/Xavier<div><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314849390?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>The mount of the Secretan 80mm is cleaned and restored. Works again very smooth. It's very nice to work at such a fine piece of engineering. Don't want to repaint it. It needs to stay natural.</p>
</div>Harris & Son Newton telescopehttp://debeerst.ning.com/profiles/blogs/harris-son-newton-telescope2016-09-03T12:23:19.000Z2016-09-03T12:23:19.000ZXavierhttp://debeerst.ning.com/members/Xavier<div><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314848704?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>Finally the Harris & Son Newton telescope arrived from the UK. Thomas Harris was active in London between 1780 and 1817. The telescope and the mount in bad condition. Lot's of original parts are missing. When I bought the scope the mirror was perfect. When it arrived is broken. Big loss. But it's a historical interesting instruments who deserves to be restored. It will take a lot of time. No hurry. Still have enough other telescopes who need my attention</p>
</div>Wooden Equatorial Mounthttp://debeerst.ning.com/profiles/blogs/wooden-equatorial-mount2016-09-03T12:22:08.000Z2016-09-03T12:22:08.000ZXavierhttp://debeerst.ning.com/members/Xavier<div><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314848882?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>From the same UK based seller I bought this oak equatorial mount. No signature. I think it's from the early 1900.<br />
Bigger than you think and certainly heavier. Very well made. Once cleaned it will be a beautiful object.</p>
</div>Stanley-Wilkins mounthttp://debeerst.ning.com/profiles/blogs/stanley-wilkins-mount2016-09-03T12:19:59.000Z2016-09-03T12:19:59.000ZXavierhttp://debeerst.ning.com/members/Xavier<div><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314851361?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>The last mount I bought from the Uk seller is a Stanley-Wilkins mount from the 1950's. Perfect for a Newton reflector</p>
</div>Kosmos D61 school telescopehttp://debeerst.ning.com/profiles/blogs/kosmos-d61-school-telescope2016-09-03T12:18:04.000Z2016-09-03T12:18:04.000ZXavierhttp://debeerst.ning.com/members/Xavier<div><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314846908?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>Next project: the restoration of an early Kosmos D61 school telescope. Want repaint the tube. Sign of the age and the time.</p>
</div>Secretan, box with 7 telescope eyepieces 1950'shttp://debeerst.ning.com/profiles/blogs/secretan-box-with-7-telescope-eyepieces-1950-s2016-09-03T12:15:59.000Z2016-09-03T12:15:59.000ZXavierhttp://debeerst.ning.com/members/Xavier<div><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314847808?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p><span style="font-size: small;">Secretan was one of the finest opticians of France.  This a rare box with 6 astronomical and 1 terrestrial eyepiece.<br /></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">The astronomical eyepices can be used in combination with modern telescopes.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">Tested the eyepeices with a modern refractor and they perform exceptionally.  I suppose this are orthoscopic eyepieces.<br /></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">Very rare to find these separately.</span></p>
</div>Secretan 8cm telescope +/- 1920http://debeerst.ning.com/profiles/blogs/secretan-8cm-telescope-19202016-09-03T12:13:52.000Z2016-09-03T12:13:52.000ZXavierhttp://debeerst.ning.com/members/Xavier<div><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314844540?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">This is a complete 81mm Secretan refractor.  The alt az has slow motion control on the two axes.  This is rather uncommon. <br />
The slow motions are working very smooth.  Hard to find a Secretan 81mm with the complete alt az mount.<br />
In the 1930 telescope catalogue it is mentioned as a additional option.<br />
<br />
The Secretan telescope is in very fine condition.  It has completely cleaned, re-lubed and restored.<br />
The views are excellent as you can expect from a Secretan refractor.</span></span></span></span></span></p>
</div>19th century Nicol Polariscope or polarimeterhttp://debeerst.ning.com/profiles/blogs/19th-century-nicol-polariscope-or-polarimeter2016-09-03T12:11:45.000Z2016-09-03T12:11:45.000ZXavierhttp://debeerst.ning.com/members/Xavier<div><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314851251?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p><span><span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><span>19th century Nicol prisms from a polariscope for solar observations.</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><span>Provenance large French solar observatory.<br />
The prisms are made of Calcite minerals<br /></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><span>Not often seen.</span></span></span></span></span></p>
</div>Mirrors made by Prof. Emile Schaerhttp://debeerst.ning.com/profiles/blogs/mirrors-made-by-prof-emile-schaer2016-09-03T12:09:23.000Z2016-09-03T12:09:23.000ZXavierhttp://debeerst.ning.com/members/Xavier<div><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314850328?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>Two telescope mirrors made the famous Suisse optician and astronomer Prof. Emile Schaer (1862 - 1931).<br />
The two mirrors are part of heliostat.<br />
The two mirrors are described in "Publications of the Observatoire Geneve Series A, vol. 18, pp.253-265" 1931.<br />
The diameter are 26cm (625cm) and 20cm (300cm).<br />
Emile Schaer is know for the invention of the folded refractor.<span class="text_exposed_show"><br />
The mirrors are signed</span></p>
</div>Our servicehttp://debeerst.ning.com/profiles/blogs/our-service2016-06-28T20:13:57.000Z2016-06-28T20:13:57.000ZXavierhttp://debeerst.ning.com/members/Xavier<div><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314846616?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>We have been selling vintage astronomical instruments for over more than 10 years.<br />
I'm a amateur astronomer myself and all instruments I sell are in good working condition.<br />
I test all the telescopes under the stars and know the possibilities of each instrument<br />
All the instruments are controlled and cleaned before shipping.<br />
The necessary reparations are done.<br />
If possible missing parts are replaced.<br />
If not, read the item description carefully for possible defects.  <br />
Take a close look at the photos.<br />
The advantage is you know exactly what you're buying.<br />
<br />
We put a lot of effort in the wrapping of the items.<br />
We use professional shippers for the world wide shipping.<br />
We have experience in shipping large instruments up to the unique and complete 6" Unitron - Polarex<br />
Each shipping has a tracking number.<br />
If wanted the shipping can be ensured door2door<br />
<br />
Returns are possible.<br />
The buyer needs to know how to use the instrument in the right way.<br />
There is a limited warranty because we don't sell new instruments but used vintage instruments.</p>
</div>Antique Telescope Observation Site (ATOS)http://debeerst.ning.com/profiles/blogs/antique-telescope-observation-site-atos2015-12-07T12:05:06.000Z2015-12-07T12:05:06.000ZXavierhttp://debeerst.ning.com/members/Xavier<div><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314854501?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p><em>ATOS (<strong>Antique Telescope Observation site</strong>)  is the next step in the evolution of <a href="http://www.anamorfose.be" target="_blank">Anamorfose</a> and <a href="http://www.anamorfose.be/night-photography" target="_blank">Anamorfose Curiosa</a>. </em></p>
<p><em>Anamorfose was founded in 1996 as a <a href="http://www.anamorfose.be/collector-s-room" target="_blank">Photo Gallery</a> in Belgium.  Anamorfose was selling vintage art photography and books worldwide as an e-commerce.  After years, the focus shifted from art photography to scientific photography and more specifically astronomical photography.  With the purchase of astronomical photos came also the trade in historical and antique telescopes. </em></p>
<p><em>This culminated in the rewarding trade in antique observatory telescopes. </em></p>
<p><strong>The next step in this evolution is ATOS. </strong></p>
<p><em>The installation of these large telescopes in observatories for the public and the potential buyers to use and test, will give a boost to the antique telescope trade.</em></p>
<p></p>
<p><strong><span class="font-size-4">The project</span></strong></p>
<p>Antique and classic telescopes are part of our scientific legacy.  Sometimes forgotten or considered no longer suitable for scientific use.<br />
Not matter wath they say, <a href="http://After%20all,%20even%20antique%20equipment%20can%20produce%20good%20science%20%E2%80%93%20with%20the%20right%20scientists." target="_blank">even antique equipment can produce good science – with the right scientists.</a></p>
<p>The concept of ATOS is straight forward:</p>
<p><strong>"creating an observation site for antique telescopes in a dark European region with luxury overnight accommodations."</strong></p>
<p><strong><span class="font-size-6">Location: The Provence.</span></strong></p>
<p>The location of the observation site is one of the most important and most challenging elements of the project.  In the light polluted Europe it isn't obvious to find a <strong><a href="http://www.lightpollutionmap.info/#zoom=4&lat=5759860&lon=1619364&layers=B0TFFFFTThttp://" target="_blank">dark region</a></strong> with enough clear nights to observe.  Secondly the location must be <strong>attractive</strong> for the visitors.</p>
<p>After some search and analyses of  several regions we decided that the <strong>Provence in France</strong> is the best suited place to realize ATOS.<br />
Dark places, approximately 170 dark nights a year with <strong>excellent observation opportunities</strong> (Source: <a href="http://www.obs-hp.fr/welcome.shtml" target="_blank">Observatoire de Haute Provence</a>), nice climate, good <strong>attainability</strong>, rich cultural offer and very nice people.</p>
<p>The domain must offer possibilities for the observation site and overnight accommodations (Chambre-d'Hôtes and Gîtes).  If possible a historic site with an <strong>authentic character</strong>. </p>
<p>I've already visited the Provence twice in search of such location and visited several suitable domains.  But the search hasn't finished yet.  Still looking for the ideal spot.</p>
<p><strong><span class="font-size-5">The Observatories</span></strong></p>
<p>The starting infrastructure will be the large observatory telescopes from the <a href="http://debeerst.ning.com/profiles/blogs/list/tag/gajdusek-kozelsky" target="_self">Zdanice Observatory</a> and the other <a href="http://debeerst.ning.com/the-arcturus-observatory/arcturus-observatory51" target="_self">classic telescopes</a> we have in our inventory.  In total we have plans for <strong>5 observatories</strong>.  Specialised observatories for solar observation and astrophotography.  Observatories for visual observation.</p>
<p>Later the observation site will be <strong>open for other antique telescope collectors</strong> who want to park their telescopes under a dark sky.<br />
You can always <a href="mailto:xavier@debeerst.com" target="_blank">contact me</a> if you should be interested to become part of this adventure.</p>
<p><span class="font-size-5"><strong>Target groups</strong></span></p>
<p>Besides <strong>amateur astronomers</strong> and <strong>collectors</strong> of <a href="http://webari.com/oldscope/" target="_blank">antique telescopes</a>, ATOS will be open for the <strong>general public</strong> who loves a quality stay in the Provence and discover the dark nights with classic telescopes.<a href="http://webari.com/oldscope/" target="_blank"></a></p>
<p>The right <strong>communication</strong> will be the key to success.</p>
<p><strong><span class="font-size-5">Investors</span></strong></p>
<p>For this ambitious and unique project there is a substantial budget needed.  Most of all to acquire the right location in the Provence.</p>
<p>We already have the <strong>basic astronomical infrastructure</strong>: telescopes, collection of vintage astrophotos and a large astronomical library.<br />
I have a lot of experience in tourism marketing, the success factor for the project.</p>
<p>We are looking for fellow investors who love observing with classic telescopes in an authentic location in the Provence.<br />
The return on investment can be negotiated.  We have several proposals.</p>
<p>Don't hesitate to <a href="mailto:xavier@debeerst.com" target="_blank">contact me</a> for more information.</p>
<p></p>
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