zone plates on glass
Datecirca 1900
Inventory Number2007-1-0555
ClassificationZone Plate
Subject
Maker
American
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensionsa: 5.8 × 4.4 × 0.6 cm (2 5/16 × 1 3/4 × 1/4 in.)
b: 5.8 × 4.9 × 0.6 cm (2 5/16 × 1 15/16 × 1/4 in.)
c: 5.8 × 6.3 × 0.5 cm (2 5/16 × 2 1/2 × 3/16 in.)
d: 5.6 × 5 × 0.3 cm (2 3/16 × 1 15/16 × 1/8 in.)
e: 5.5 × 5.1 × 0.1 cm (2 3/16 × 2)
b: 5.8 × 4.9 × 0.6 cm (2 5/16 × 1 15/16 × 1/4 in.)
c: 5.8 × 6.3 × 0.5 cm (2 5/16 × 2 1/2 × 3/16 in.)
d: 5.6 × 5 × 0.3 cm (2 3/16 × 1 15/16 × 1/8 in.)
e: 5.5 × 5.1 × 0.1 cm (2 3/16 × 2)
Material
DescriptionFour slabs of glass (2007-1-0555a, b, c, d) have zone plate images produced by a photographic process. Three of the slabs have broken edges; the fourth has straight edges. The glass has a greenish tint and varies in thickness. 2007-1-0555e is a homemade aperture stop.
2007-1-0555a: two zone plates in a line in the center of a glass plate. Remnants of a paper frame that was glued to the edges of the glass.
2007-1-0555b: two full zone plates and one incomplete one in a line on a glass plate. The incomplete one is at the broken edge. Remnants of a paper frame that was glued to the edges.
2007-1-0555c: one zone plate in the center of a glass plate with three nibbled edges. Remnants of adhesive on the non-emulsion side of the glass are evidence of a circular mask.
2007-1-0555d: a rectangular sheet of glass, thinner than the others, which has a single zone plate surrounded by a painted black mask.
2007-1-0555e: an aperture stop created from two pieces of cardstock glued together. The larger piece is cut from a watchmaker's rating card. It is marked "Waltham," and "DELIVER THIS TO WATC[H]...." Information has been penciled on various lines. There is a large circle cut out of the center of the card. The smaller piece of cardstock is part of a yellow envelope. It has part of an address ("Thomas [H]ill / Bos[ton]") in ink and part of a postal cancellation stamp showing. Its aperture is smaller than that on the other card and irregular in shape.
2007-1-0555a: two zone plates in a line in the center of a glass plate. Remnants of a paper frame that was glued to the edges of the glass.
2007-1-0555b: two full zone plates and one incomplete one in a line on a glass plate. The incomplete one is at the broken edge. Remnants of a paper frame that was glued to the edges.
2007-1-0555c: one zone plate in the center of a glass plate with three nibbled edges. Remnants of adhesive on the non-emulsion side of the glass are evidence of a circular mask.
2007-1-0555d: a rectangular sheet of glass, thinner than the others, which has a single zone plate surrounded by a painted black mask.
2007-1-0555e: an aperture stop created from two pieces of cardstock glued together. The larger piece is cut from a watchmaker's rating card. It is marked "Waltham," and "DELIVER THIS TO WATC[H]...." Information has been penciled on various lines. There is a large circle cut out of the center of the card. The smaller piece of cardstock is part of a yellow envelope. It has part of an address ("Thomas [H]ill / Bos[ton]") in ink and part of a postal cancellation stamp showing. Its aperture is smaller than that on the other card and irregular in shape.
Signedunsigned
Inscribedaperture printed: Waltham
aperture printed: DELIVER THIS TO WATC[H...
address on aperture: Thomas [H]ill / Bos[ton]
Harvard College Observatory
Date: 1900-1920
Object number: 2007-1-0556
Sylvania
Date: late 19th-early 20th Century
Object number: RS0368
French
Date: circa 1900
Accessories: case may be inv. 2007-1-0122
Object number: 1998-1-0375
Harvard College Observatory
Date: 1900-1929
Object number: 2007-1-0027a
Harvard College Observatory
Date: 1900-1929
Object number: 2007-1-0027b
Harvard College Observatory
Date: 1900-1929
Object number: 2007-1-0027c
Harvard College Observatory
Date: 1900-1929
Object number: 2007-1-0027d
Harvard College Observatory
Date: 1900-1929
Object number: 2007-1-0027e
Harvard College Observatory
Date: 1900-1929
Object number: 2007-1-0027f
Harvard College Observatory
Date: 1900-1929
Object number: 2007-1-0027g