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Description
Up for sale is a complete vintage copy of Hammond's Handy Star Finder for the Northern Hemisphere (Astronomy Made Easy), designed by Commander S.E. Stubbs, O.B.E., R.D., R.N.R., and published by C.S. Hammond & Co., Inc. (New York & Maplewood, N.J.).
This classic mid-century educational astronomy set includes its original bright orange folder wrapper/sleeve, the functional moveable blue cardboard star finder disc/planetarium wheel, and the companion insert Hammond's Planet Tables compiled by Dr. Hugh S. Rice (Research Associate, Hayden Planetarium).
Item Type: Vintage Astronomy Chart / Home Planetarium Set
Creator / Designer: Commander S.E. Stubbs (Design); Dr. Hugh S. Rice (Planet Tables / Hayden Planetarium)
Publisher: C.S. Hammond & Company, Inc.
Era: Mid-20th Century (Vintage Educational Science)
Condition: Good vintage condition. Features minor edge wear, handling creases, and light age-toning to the paper folder and tables consistent with a mid-century educational piece. The rotating star wheel mechanism remains intact and functional. Please review all provided photos for exact details.
Historical Significance & Target Audience
Historical Significance: These mechanical star finders served as popular educational tools in the mid-20th century, bridging amateur astronomy with accessible public science instruction popularized by institutions like the Hayden Planetarium in New York.
Key Names & Places:
Commander S.E. Stubbs: Designer of the mechanical star-finding system.
Dr. Hugh S. Rice: Noted astronomer and research associate at the historic Hayden Planetarium in New York City, who compiled the planet tracking data.
C.S. Hammond & Co.: Celebrated American map and atlas publishers based in New York and Maplewood, New Jersey.
Who May Want This:
Amateur Astronomers & Stargazers: Fans of vintage analog science instruments, planispheres, and mechanical sky charts.
Mid-Century Science & Space Ephemera Collectors: Collectors looking for original Hayden Planetarium associated educational material.
Educators & Display Curators: A wonderful tactile teaching tool or decorative display piece for a study, library, or science classroom.
