2. Clark telescopes

<font color="#FDD017"> Rare 3 inch Clark Refractor

Recently I inspected a Classic Alvan Clark Telescope for a potential buyer in Florida - Mr. Angel Gomez. The telescope has an interesting history having been one of only 25 made by the Alvan Clark factory in 1899 for sale by the Andrew J Lloyd & Co. It is in very good condition for the age of the instrument and is very much almost all original. The Lloyd Instruments are also featured in the book Artist in Optics, by Deborah Jean Warner in a breif description. The telescope was purchased in 1964 by Mr. Charles J Emert, 335 Barnes St, Pittsburgh 21, PA a prior owner who recently sold this telescope to the current owner Nick DiLiscia in Finleyville, PA. The history is very well documented with original letters from Burton L Fitzgerald who purchased a substantial amount of the remaining inventory of the Alvan Clark & Sons telescope firm upon it's demise in the 1950's as is well known among Clark collectors. Also included with the sale of this wonderful scope is portions of an original Alvan Clark Catalog and other historic literature! The catalog identifies this as a Clark 3 inch refractor on the # 3 equatorial mount. Review the last pages of pictures to see the letters and catalog.
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  • Nick DiLiscia poses by his once in a lifetime find.

    Nick DiLiscia poses by his once in a lifetime find.

  • Close up of the equatorial # 3 Clark Mount.

    Close up of the equatorial # 3 Clark Mount.

  • What a vintage telescope!! This is a great item to place in your backtard!

    What a vintage telescope!! This is a great item to place in your backtard!

  • In this picture taken by Nick you can clearly see the instrument is unusal. The inscription reads Alvan Clark & Sons and on the extension housing "Sold by Andrew J Lloyd and Company".

    In this picture taken by Nick you can clearly see the instrument is unusal. The inscription reads Alvan Clark & Sons and on the extension housing "Sold by Andrew J Lloyd and Company".

  • The finderscope was later an addition by Fitzgerald however is an original Clark with lens cap and is a perfect fit.

    The finderscope was later an addition by Fitzgerald however is an original Clark with lens cap and is a perfect fit.

  • There is a brass plate with PAT. date. This is different as most dates are located near the latitude wing nut and were cast into the casting. Perhaps this design was limited to the Andrew J Llyod - Clark instruments.

    There is a brass plate with PAT. date. This is different as most dates are located near the latitude wing nut and were cast into the casting. Perhaps this design was limited to the Andrew J Llyod - Clark instruments.

  • Finder with cap off.

    Finder with cap off.

  • This mount has a Dec. housing that has an arc to it. I have witnessed some that are straight. Interesting! Notice the brass plate beneath the large polar adjustment wing nut near the base of the mount.

    This mount has a Dec. housing that has an arc to it. I have witnessed some that are straight. Interesting! Notice the brass plate beneath the large polar adjustment wing nut near the base of the mount.

  • Close-up finder bracket.

    Close-up finder bracket.

  • Night time showing inscriptions and single focusing knob for the main instrument. Finder is push pull focus.

    Night time showing inscriptions and single focusing knob for the main instrument. Finder is push pull focus.

  • Me - looking into the sky.

    Me - looking into the sky.

  • View of the counter-weight and brass knob.

    View of the counter-weight and brass knob.

  • That's me - Al at the 3 inch F-15 Clark instrument.

    That's me - Al at the 3 inch F-15 Clark instrument.

  • While I am told the finder is not orginal to the scope the brackets are certainly correct for the instrument. The fitting of the attaching screws maybe a give away.

    While I am told the finder is not orginal to the scope the brackets are certainly correct for the instrument. The fitting of the attaching screws maybe a give away.

  • Polar shaft end of the mount.

    Polar shaft end of the mount.

  • Nick in the back of his home with the instrument.

    Nick in the back of his home with the instrument.

  • Another view of the inscriptions. Yep ...it's a Clark.

    Another view of the inscriptions. Yep ...it's a Clark.

  • Leather lens cap may not be original to this telescope.

    Leather lens cap may not be original to this telescope.

  • The objective end of the instrument. Green paper or felt pads have been attached to the scope to facilitate holding the leather lens cap. While the lens appears to need cleaning of the internal elements it appears in fine shape!

    The objective end of the instrument. Green paper or felt pads have been attached to the scope to facilitate holding the leather lens cap. While the lens appears to need cleaning of the internal elements it appears in fine shape!

  • Objective lens in very good condition.

    Objective lens in very good condition.

  • leather for the tripod legs was said to have been replaced in or around the 1964 sale of the telescope.

    leather for the tripod legs was said to have been replaced in or around the 1964 sale of the telescope.

  • Clark workmanship is expressed here also.

    Clark workmanship is expressed here also.

  • View from the observers end of the instrument.

    View from the observers end of the instrument.

  • Original Clark, eyepiece, erector and to the right - star diagonal.

    Original Clark, eyepiece, erector and to the right - star diagonal.

  • Here is an Alvan Clark 0.2 inch eyepiece. The Clarks used a barrel size of 1-1/8 inches.

    Here is an Alvan Clark 0.2 inch eyepiece. The Clarks used a barrel size of 1-1/8 inches.

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    There is a brass plate with PAT. date. This is different as most dates are located near the latitude wing nut and were cast into the casting. Perhaps this design was limited to the Andrew J Llyod - Clark instruments.
    Finder with cap off.
    This mount has a Dec. housing that has an arc to it. I have witnessed some that are straight. Interesting! Notice the brass plate beneath the large polar adjustment wing nut near the base of the mount.