Living History Project
The Living History Project is a branch of Focus that is dedicated to preserving astronomical equipment of the past. The goal is to allow others to view the universe through vintage and antique equipment. The appreciation of the past gives a better sense of the future. These telescopes have made their way to us, each one inspected and documented. Some continue as active telescopes in our collection while others have found new homes to continue to be appreciated for years to come.
Our historical telescopes and equipment are available for events but please note these are very old systems. They are excellent for historical talks, period themed events and more.
FH-01: Unitron 1960s 4" f/15 refractor
This is our original vintage telescope that started our Living History Project. Unitron produced telescopes from the 1950s to around the 1980s, the parent company Nihon Seiko Kenkyusho, Ltd. made telescopes under various names including Unitron.
Our 4" Unitron is roughly dates back to the 1960s era, the telescope shows some ware and tear but we have done our best to clean it up. The lens itself is excellent and produces beautiful images. We have added various accessories and 3D printed parts to allow the telescope to be function for viewing again.
.jpg)
FH-02: Alvan Clark 1880 4" f/15 refractor
Alvan Clark & Sons produced some of the most historic telescopes of the 19th and early 20th centeray including the 24" Clark of Lowell Observatory, 36" Lick refractor and the worlds largest, the 40" Great Refractor of Yerkes observatory. The company produced telescopes from the mid 1800s to the early 1900s.
Our 4" Clark was built in 1880, one of three 4" models produced that year. The telescope includes the original prism diagonal and four eyepieces. The lens produces excellent images and can be used with its original accessories as well as modern 1.25" accessories.
FH-03: E.Vion Paris refractor 2.8" f/15
Vion was founded in 1832 by Th. Von in France, his son sons were also apart of the company. Vion made optics for variety of applications including terrestrial, field, astronomical and sea. The company changed to E.Vion around 1922 producing optics in Paris, France. This particular telescope is likely from the early 1900s due to the scripting on the focuser rear plate.
The telescope has its original wooden box, terrestrial eyepiece as well as two astronomical eyepieces with matching solar filters.
_JPG.jpg)
FH-04: 1800s Negretti & Zambra 3.7" f/16 Moonraker
Our 94mm f/16 Negretti & Zambra lens was produced in the late 1800s by Negretti & Zambra optical company. Negretti & Zambra produced optical instruments from 1850 to 1985 and vary from telescopes to scientific equipment.
The lens is mounted in a custom made Moonraker tube from the UK and blends modern and classical elements.
This telescope currently is having some issues addressed with it's optics and is not currently available to viewing.
_JPG.jpg)
FH-05: 1950s Broadhurst & Clarkson 3" f/12
Broadhurst & Clarkson is one of the oldest optical manufactures, dating back to 1750 when it was founded by Benjamin Martin. The business was sold to Alexander Clarkson in 1873, Broadhurst became a partner of the company in 1873, this as short lived as in 1908 Broadhurst and Clarkson had a falling out and split. The company of Broadhurst & Clarkson has gone through many iterations over the years producing a variety of optical equipment.
This particular sample is from the 1950s and is a 3" f/12 achromatic refractor. The telescope has both a desk top mount (shown above) and a field tripod as well as various accessories.
FH-06: Goerz 60mm f/15 refractor
Goerz was started by Carl Paul Goerz in 1886 and primarily focused on cameras & photographic lenses. During the first World War production was focused on German and Austrian military. In 1923 Goerz passed away and in 1926 the German branch of the company was sold and formed into Zeiss Ikon.
Our sample is a 60mm f/15 refractor made by Zeiss-Ikon in the 1920's. It has it's original mount, prism and eyepieces as well as the case. These are quite rare and we are glad to have such a piece in our historic collection.
.jpg)
FH-07: Takahashi TOA-130F
Takahashi introduced the TOA series in the early 2000s featuring the 130mm and 150mm models. Over the years these telescopes have come to be highly regarded as one of the best refractor telescopes every made. This scope just turned 20 years old making it a vintage piece now.
Our TOA-130F is a first generation TOA built in 2005 making this the youngest of our History collection. This one came to us with a coating failure on the front lens surface making it nearly unusable. We ended up working with refractor expert Roger Ceragioli who refigured the front surface and brought it back to life. The telescope is very delicate and does not travel for events.