Description
Book SynopsisClassic telescopes are of interest to amateur astronomers for a variety of reasons. This book takes a look at traditional telescopes built by the great instrument makers of the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly the dynastic telescope makers, including Dollond, Alvan Clark, Thomas Cooke & Sons, and Carl Zeiss.
Trade Review“This is a fine volume and I have learned many interesting new facts about other equipment despite my long experience in this field. I wholeheartedly recommend its purchase.” (Leonard Matula, The Observatory, Vol. 140 (1274), February, 2020)
From the book reviews:
“‘Classic Telescopes’ is a good introduction to historic telescope makers and their lives and creations mostly focusing on those telescope makers that also made smaller instruments that might end up in the hands of an amateur astronomer. … In general it was fascinating and a fast read. … this book makes for a good eye-opener as it introduces opticians and their work in a less academic way that would be appealing for a larger general audience.” (Kadri Tinn, AstroMadness.com, December, 2014)
“Part of Patrick Moore’s Practical Astronomy Series … Classic Telescopes approaches the topic from a skilled collectors and telescope operators perspective. The focus is primarily on refractors of yesteryear, with a scattering of reflectors from the past century thrown in. … Classic Telescopes is an indispensable reference resource for anyone refurbishing or hunting for a piece of astronomical history. Interspersed with expert reviews and great close-up pics, this guide provides a unique insight into a fascinating branch of optics and astronomy.” (David Dickinson, Astro Guyz, November, 2012)
Table of ContentsPreface: The Appeal of Yesteryear.-Chapter 1: The Dollond Century.- Chapter 2: A Yorkshireman Makes Good.- Chapter 3: Once Upon a Time in America.- Chapter 4: Zeiss is Nice.- Chapter 5: The Story of Broadhurst, Clarkson & Fuller.- Chapter 6: The 60mm Brigade.- Chapter 7: Classic Specula.- Chapter 8: The Age of Unitron.- Chapter 9: Die Zauberflöte.- Chapter 10: Pioneers of the New Glass.- Chaper 11: Classic Cats.- Chapter 12: Resurrecting the Master's Glass.- Chapter 13: The Antique Telescpe in the Twenty-First Century.- Epilogue: Sailing to Byzantium.- References and Bibliography.- Glossary.- Index.
