Van Cort Gallery

Van Cort Gallery Vintage Telescopes & Optics Van Cort collects fine telescopes and other odd and curious devices. Large and small gear-driven Orreries were always a passion.

The Gallery features offerings of important historical telescopes and other distinctive devices. Equally of interest are the telescopes and instruments of his own creation, including kaleidoscopes, which became a Van Cort signature collectible. The one-of-a-kind massive Van Cort-Simpson Orrery is presented on our website for sale for the first time. Erik Van Cort’s workshop continues to design &

manufacture special limited editions and has completed projects for world famous museums including the Smithsonian in Washington D.C., and Colonial Williamsburg. His reproduction of the Dollond Telescope belonging to Thomas Jefferson is now on display at Montecello. We welcome inquires to manufacture parts or replacement optics for rare telescopes or other devices. “If you don’t know your instrument, know your instrument maker”. Please pardon our appearance! This website is still under construction. Check back with us often, as we are adding new products almost daily.

08/06/2019
An English Armillary These smaller Garden Armillary’s were set-up in flower areas and often against rock wall background...
12/06/2017

An English Armillary These smaller Garden Armillary’s were set-up in flower areas and often against rock wall backgrounds to enhance the beauty of the brass works. Place it in-doors as well, in your lobby or Great Room, to set off complimentary architecture. This piece measures 62” high and exhibits a copper globe 5 “ in diameter. The base is 12 “diameter with a solid brass engraved compass rose sprouting a pillar mount to the 26” equatorial ring. This is a one-of-a-kind built by Erik Van Cort, shown on exhibit in Hartford Connecticut. Price: $3200

  An English Armillary These smaller Garden Armillary’s were set-up in flower areas and often against rock wall backgrounds to enhance the beauty of the brass works. Place it in-doors as well, in your lobby or Great Room, to set off complimentary architecture. This piece measures 62” high and e...

An English telescope of very small proportions with folding legs, a four element erecting system and an achromatic objec...
07/21/2017

An English telescope of very small proportions with folding legs, a four element erecting system and an achromatic objective measurring 1"3/8 diameter. Finsihed in bright brass and lacquered, this fne instrument produces sharp images of 20x. Noting a few small age dents, this this telescope is in excellent working condition and looks great on display $395

https://vancort.com/2017/07/10/english-desktop-refractor-1850/

An English telescope of very small proportions with folding legs, a four element erecting system and an achromatic objective measurring 1″3/8 diameter. Finsihed in bright brass and lacquered, this fne instrument produces sharp images of 20x. Noting a few small age  dents, this this telescope is in e...

$2450 A French Floor Model (Bardou) Telescope with mahogany tripod, solid brass pillar mount and all brass construction,...
07/20/2017

$2450 A French Floor Model (Bardou) Telescope with mahogany tripod, solid brass pillar mount and all brass construction, circa 1880. The telescope measures 53” at full draw and exhibits a height of 67” when the barrel is at the horizontal position. The optical system is of the five element design including the 3” objective. This is particularly nice for hardwood floors as the all brass self-leveling feet are felted for non-scratch use. [ 36 more words ]

https://vancort.com/2017/07/20/french-floor-model-bardou-telescope/

$2450 A French Floor Model (Bardou) Telescope with mahogany tripod, solid brass pillar mount and all brass construction, circa 1880. The telescope measures 53” at full draw and exhibits a height of…

07/20/2017

The things we create can live long after we’re gone. I am reasonably certain that the builders of this boiler (Almy Water-Tube Boiler Company), never suspected that some day it would be displ…

These early 18th century telescopes were constructed of cardboard, brass and finished with fishskin for extrodianary dur...
05/20/2017

These early 18th century telescopes were constructed of cardboard, brass and finished with fishskin for extrodianary durability. Measuring over six feet long, it was fitted with a five element optical system including a single lens objective. The lenses were difficult to grind on a large scale, but the long focal lengths gave powerful images. Pretty to look at, if you don't get distracted.

http://vancort.com/2017/05/20/a-fishskin-covered-telescope-18th-c/

These early 18th century telescopes were constructed of cardboard, brass and finished with fishskin for extrodianary durability. Measuring over six feet long, it was fitted with a five element opti…

Do No Harm Early telescopes are very susceptible to damage when under repair by the inexperienced “Antiquer”. Considerab...
05/18/2017

Do No Harm Early telescopes are very susceptible to damage when under repair by the inexperienced “Antiquer”. Considerable thought should go into what the issues are in repairing and an outline in how you are going to proceed. A “simple” task like removing an 18th barrel from the swivel mount presents a number of challenges. The swivel mount bolt is tapered and is secured by a nut with a variety of configurations. [ 173 more words ]

http://vancort.com/2017/05/18/do-no-harm/

Do No Harm Early telescopes are very susceptible to damage when under repair by the inexperienced “Antiquer”. Considerable thought should go into what the issues are in repairing and an outline in …

This giant pair of binoculars from Lannan Ship Model Gallery was brought in to be fitted with a tripod and the optics re...
05/17/2017

This giant pair of binoculars from Lannan Ship Model Gallery was brought in to be fitted with a tripod and the optics realigned. This type of optical instrument became popular during World War II, and many different versions were produced. This is a D.F. 10 x 80 aluminum construction with coated optics. If you are interested in purchasing this fine pair of Giant binoculars, go to Lannon Ship Model Gallery.

http://vancort.com/2017/05/17/repairing-a-pair-of-big-eyes/

This giant pair of binoculars from Lannan Ship Model Gallery was brought in to be fitted with a tripod and the optics realigned. This type of optical instrument became popular during World War II, …

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Easthampton, MA
01027

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(413) 537-0100

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