EAP1190/1/6

The majority of the material dates from the 1930s, and the 1950s. 2 images were taken in the 1970s and 1 in 1994. Several of the prints are from glass plate negatives held in the collection and described elsewhere. Themes in this series include the Observatory site and its development, views of telescopes, people, and celestial objects. The site and its development are well represented. This includes aerial views of the koppie, site development (including first constructions), building construction (including rare views of the 60-inch turret being manufactured in Johannesburg, the short-lived mirror aluminising tank and construction of the 60-inch engine sheds), interior views (including workshop) and telescope assembly. Included in this category is a series of images of steam wagons (c.1930) and lorries (c.1950) bringing materials to the Observatory. People are well represented in the series, with several group photographs showing not only astronomers but also labourers and other local staff. Amongst the astronomers depicted are Alexander William Roberts, Eric Mervyn Lindsay, John Stefanos Paraskevopoulos, and Bart J. Bok, Priscilla Bok. A number of astronomical images are included, such as a series of the planet Mars, the surface of the Sun showing solar prominences, and a variety of beautiful galaxies, star clusters, and nebulae. A few images show the landscape surround the Boyden site. There are also a few images of the South African Astronomical Observatory facility in Sutherland, during a visit to aluminise the 60-inch mirror.

n/a.

Extent: 508 printed photographs in 11 custom enclosures.

Size and dimensions of original material: From (height 8cm, width 7cm) to (height 26cm, width 31cm).

Condition of original material: Fair.

Custodial history: N/a.

Arrangement: N/a.

Alternative calendar and date: N/a, N/a

Author(s)/Creator(s): English.

Scribe(s): Latin.

Publisher(s): Left-to-Right.

Editor(s): Unrestricted.

Volume number: N/a.

Original institution reference: PB.