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Clyde Tombaugh's 1933 Handmade 5-inch "First Rich-Field Telescope in USA," Signed and Certified. ...
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Sold on Dec 1, 2022 for:
$6,500.00
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Description
Personal Handmade Telescope by the Astronomer Who Discovered Pluto, Clyde Tombaugh
Clyde Tombaugh's 1933 Handmade 5-inch "First Rich-Field
Telescope in USA," Signed and Certified. An outstanding
engineering feat by legendary astronomer and discoverer of Pluto,
Clyde Tombaugh. Standing at approximately 56 inches tall and
sitting upon 27 x 27 inches wooden tri-pod base, this particular
telescope was constructed in 1933 and is considered the first
"Rich-Field" telescope fabricated in the United States. The term is
used for telescopes allowing the viewer to observe the maximum
number of stars within the targeted field. Clyde found this
instrument to be an ideal choice for general star gazing.As with all of Tombaugh's telescopes, this was a trial and error assembly with scrap pile material and anything he thought could be functional found on his family farm in Burdett, Kansas. In fact, the 5-inch mirror was modified from an 8-inch mirror Tombaugh experimented with in 1926. Using carborundum stone and a coffee can, he reduced the mirror to its 5-inch diameter size and successfully completed this historic example. This is particularly interesting in that Tombaugh began his work at Lowell Observatory in 1929, but still was constructing telescopes using such rudimentary tools when creating this in 1933. It certainly has a great share of Tombaugh charm, including what appears to be either an automobile or tractor flywheel as the counterweight. As Clyde grew older, his son suggested he begin to sign and document his inventions so their history could be preserved. He has written boldly upon the barrel in black felt tip: "First Rich-Field Telescope in USA / Made in 1933 Clyde W. Tombaugh." As with most of Tombaugh's creations, this telescope is in the same working condition it was when last used by the renowned astronomer.
Condition: Overall age-related wear, however complete and functional.
Auction Info
2022 December 1 Historical Platinum Session Signature® Auction #6267 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
December, 2022
1st
Thursday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 1
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 573
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