Lewis P. Tabor

mounted, titled and inscribed 'Made with the 6½'' Ross-Fecker Objective at the Cook Observatory' in pencil on the mount, the 'Cook Observatory, Roslyn House, Wynnewood, Pa.' stamp in duplicate, and annotated with astronomical data in ink on the reverse, 1930s

Sotheby's New York, 18 April 1996, Sale 6827, Lot 187

This impressive celestial photograph is in generally very good condition. It is on glossy, slightly warm-toned, double-weight paper and is mounted to thick board. The following are only visible upon close examination in high raking light: surface scratches, scuffs, and tiny impressions, none of which appear to break the emulsion; faint, uneven silvering; various soft creases which likely occurred prior to or as a result of mounting; and occasional edge chipping. There is a sharp, one-inch crescent-shaped crease along the lower right edge that breaks the emulsion. None of these are immediately apparent or detract in any way from this fine print. The mount is brittle and worn. Excess yellowed adhesive remnants are visible on the mount at the print's periphery. There is a small loss to the tip of the lower right mount corner, the left corners are creased. A 2-inch tear (through the word 'Ross' in the title) extends from the lower edge of the mount, running underneath and not affecting the print. The reverse of the mount is soiled, darkened, and water-stained. The Cook Observatory stamp is annotated in ink as follows: THE COOK OBSERVATORY ROSLYN HOUSE, WYNNEWOOD, PA. MADE WITH THE '6½' INCH ROSS-FECKER OBJECTIVE. EXPOSURE: '11h 06m' COORDINATES OF CENTER: '5h 20m, - 3º 30'.'
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The present photograph depicts the constellation of Orion, one of the brightest and most recognizable features of northern hemisphere skies.  The three stars that make up Orion’s belt (Alnitak, Alnilam, and Minkata) are clearly visible, as is Orion’s sword, including the luminous Orion nebula, south of the belt. 

An M. I. T. physics graduate, Lewis Tabor made this photograph at the Cook Observatory in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania.  Gustavus Wynne Cook (1867-1940), a wealthy local businessman and amateur astronomer, spared no expense in building the state-of-the-art observatory on the grounds of his estate, Roslyn House.  Throughout the 1930s, Tabor mapped the Milky Way from the Cook Observatory, using a 10 ¼-inch astrographic camera to produce impressive 24-by-20 inch images, such as the contact print offered here.  This ambitious project was profiled in the 6 November 1939 issue of LIFE magazine.