How to Start an Antique Telescope Collection
Nothing has mesmerized humans over the years more than the stars above. From ancient peoples who looked up and created mythology based on the stars, to the more scientific minded peoples who invented telescopes to see stars more clearly, we have all had a fascination with the night sky. You can capture this sense of history and science by starting an antique telescope collection.
Telescopes were created as early as the 1600s, and so there are a wide variety of antique telescopes on the market. As a collection, these pieces can be of great value, or of a lesser dollar amount. Even a collection that isn’t worth as much can still hold a great deal of aesthetic value and can make an impressive display in a den, office, or library of your home.
To begin antique telescope collecting, start small. Research telescopes in general so that you understand the history of the device, the different models that have been produced over the years, and what telescopes were popular during what years.
With some basic knowledge you can start hunting for antique telescopes at inexpensive venues to start your collection. Check out yard sales, flea markets, and local antique stores. You may be shocked at the antique telescopes you can find for just a few dollars at these locations. As you expand your collection and learn more and more about the varieties of antique telescopes available, you can move on to more serious collecting.
If your collection grows, you may then want to start going to auctions and higher end antique dealers to buy antique telescopes that fit certain eras or locations. You may want a collection of all Italian telescopes, for example, or a collection of all antique telescopes that were used in sailing. Antique dealers can help you find these specific choices and fill out your growing collection.
