An extra assisting manual (with clear pictures) for the construction of the replica can be downloaded here. (PDF - 3.6MB) 

For the celebration of the 400th anniversary of the  telescope invented in Middelburg, model maker Erik te Groen has developed a paper model of an old Dutch telescope, also known as Spyglass.  This design originated around 1700-1750 and has been approved by several well-known experts. It takes a bit of skill and patience to assemble the model, but what you get is a truly working telescope, made up out of two glass quality lenses, two wraps of marbled paper printed on special matt paper. The marble is a scan of an original, old piece of marbled paper. The scan, printed on watercolor paper gives the telescope an authentic appearance. The kit also contains several sheets of thick brown paper with pre-printed folding and cutting lines and green paper with gold printing. A clear building instruction is ofcourse also included.

The result is a sturdy telescope which can be used for both earth and celestrial observations. Two A4 sheets, wrapped into a cylinder, serve as a basis. Then more layers of paper are wrapped around, finishing with the marbled paper. Focusing is done by sliding the smaller tube in and out. Magnification is about 4 times. Not a lot, but it is authentic for a telescope of this size and age.

The lenses that are provided with the kit are of good quality. Back in 1700, lenses were of  less quality, especially at the edges. That's why they were stopped quite a bit. The same is done here. Also, inside the smaller tube there is a paper stop, or diaphragm, to take away the glare, the reflections on the inside of the tube, resulting in far better contrast and clarity of the image, which is far more pleasing to the eye.

Back then, various materials were bought in foreign countries, as we still do today, such as stamps for applying the gold, and marbled paper. The marbled paper for our telescope comes from France, the stamps are an Italian design. The designs on this telescope are simple, but they are authentic and these figures can still be found on (old) books and telescopes. The materials, too (thick brown and green paper) and the glass lenses and their sizes and focusing distance, are historically correct. The gold printing has already been applied to the green paper that comes with the kit. This used to be done by a craftsman once the telescope has been finished.

Several members of our club have contributed to the realisation of this telescope. The lenses were provided by Focus Optiek in Middelburg. The telescope used in the photo's of the assisting manual can be seen at Focus Optiek. We guarantee you many hours of fun assembling and using this telescope!

The replica kit can not be ordered through this website or by e-mail. It is only obtainable at our observatory in Middelburg.