RARE BRONZE ART NOUVEAU PORTER GARDEN TELESCOPE.

RARE BRONZE ART NOUVEAU PORTER GARDEN TELESCOPE. Circa 1923, Vermont. Russell W. Porter (American, 1871-1949). This original example cast without a serial number within the plaque designed as a fully operational 6″ telescope as originally designed the pin-gnomon, prism and eyepiece mounted at the terminus of a bronze leaf rising from the lotus bowl base. The tilting base cast with the following identification: “The Porter/ Garden Telescope/ BUILT AND SOLD BY/ JONES & LAMSON MACHINE CO/ Springfield Vermont./ .U.S.A.” above the unmarked number plate. The lotus leaf bowl calibrated by individual degrees of declination set within an hour ring divided in ten minute intervals. Note: Designed by Russell Porter (1871-1949), pioneer of amateur astronomy in America. The influence and his work can be seen in places as diverse as the Smithsonian Institute and the 200-inch Hale Telescope on Mt. Palomar in California. Porter’s goal was to create an instrument that would be ornamental and practical in equal degrees, Garden Telescopes were produced by the Jones and Lamson Machine Company of Vermont. They were originally supplied with accessories, including double eyepieces (for two people using the telescope simultaneously), which dismantled with the mirror and the prism, to stow in a purpose-fitted case when not in use. The Newtonian 6-inch reflecting telescope converts into a sundial if the prism is pointed at the sun, the time read with ten-minute accuracy from the hour chapter ring that encircles the lotus bowl; of these, there may be only sixteen surviving examples recorded, including this one. The last two known examples to reach auction were one sold at Skinner’s Auction Gallery in 2007 bearing serial no. 53 and one sold at Woodbury Auction Co. in 2012 bearing serial no. 21. SIZE: 32″ l x 12″ dia. PROVENANCE: Property of a Central Maine gentleman. CONDITION: Telescope retains early surfaces with nice patina. Base and optics absent. The plate on which the serial number is normally found retains original unpolished surface with sand marks from the casting, this plaque normally is polished smooth and stamped with the serial number. The current owner of this telescope contacted Mr. Burton C. Willard, the historian for Stellaphane, the astronomy club formed by Russell Porter. He conjectured that perhaps this example was never completed for sale. He requested the owner to remove the declination pointer beneath which was discovered the number P12 which is purported to be identified at part 12 in the original Porter blueprints giving further credence to the authenticity of this example. 9-28444 (5,000-7,000)

Auction: Fine Art, Antiques & Asian - Winter 2014

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2149	$0.00	RARE BRONZE ART NOUVEAU PORTER GARDEN TELESCOPE. Circa 1923, Vermont. Russell W. Porter (American, 1871-1949). This original example cast without a serial number within the plaque designed as a fully operational 6″ telescope as originally designed the pin-gnomon, prism and eyepiece mounted at the terminus of a bronze leaf rising from the lotus bowl base. The tilting base cast with the following identification: “The Porter/ Garden Telescope/ BUILT AND SOLD BY/ JONES & LAMSON MACHINE CO/ Springfield Vermont./ .U.S.A.” above the unmarked number plate. The lotus leaf bowl calibrated by individual degrees of declination set within an hour ring divided in ten minute intervals. Note: Designed by Russell Porter (1871-1949), pioneer of amateur astronomy in America. The influence and his work can be seen in places as diverse as the Smithsonian Institute and the 200-inch Hale Telescope on Mt. Palomar in California. Porter’s goal was to create an instrument that would be ornamental and practical in equal degrees, Garden Telescopes were produced by the Jones and Lamson Machine Company of Vermont. They were originally supplied with accessories, including double eyepieces (for two people using the telescope simultaneously), which dismantled with the mirror and the prism, to stow in a purpose-fitted case when not in use. The Newtonian 6-inch reflecting telescope converts into a sundial if the prism is pointed at the sun, the time read with ten-minute accuracy from the hour chapter ring that encircles the lotus bowl; of these, there may be only sixteen surviving examples recorded, including this one. The last two known examples to reach auction were one sold at Skinner’s Auction Gallery in 2007 bearing serial no. 53 and one sold at Woodbury Auction Co. in 2012 bearing serial no. 21. SIZE: 32″ l x 12″ dia. PROVENANCE: Property of a Central Maine gentleman. CONDITION: Telescope retains early surfaces with nice patina. Base and optics absent. The plate on which the serial number is normally found retains original unpolished surface with sand marks from the casting, this plaque normally is polished smooth and stamped with the serial number. The current owner of this telescope contacted Mr. Burton C. Willard, the historian for Stellaphane, the astronomy club formed by Russell Porter. He conjectured that perhaps this example was never completed for sale. He requested the owner to remove the declination pointer beneath which was discovered the number P12 which is purported to be identified at part 12 in the original Porter blueprints giving further credence to the authenticity of this example. 9-28444 (5,000-7,000) Auction: Fine Art, Antiques & Asian - Winter 2014 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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