Astro Optical Catalogue

[RichardJ]

Just wondering if anyone has an old Astro optical catalogue or catalogue from the amateurs astronomer supply Co, Crows Nest from years ago that could be scanned and either posted or emailed.

RichardJ 🙂

[Peter Ward]

OMG...now that is a blast from the past!

I got a call from the owner (Monty Ash) many many years ago to see if I wanted to purchase the business.

I declined at the time, but deeply regret the decision as the eventual new owner apparently had no interest in the SCT test bench, mirror coating facility, ATM supplies etc... I think it all ended up on the scrap heap. :shrug:

Sadly that local expertise and service is lost to the amateur community now.

[John W]

Richard, I did have one but gave it back to AO a couple of years before before they closed - they did not have a copy and where going to frame it. Don't know what ever happened to it. Hope you find one. regards, John W.

[croweater]

272621

Hi Richard. I manged to find this catalogue/ folder from AOS. I dont know if this is what you are after? It holds a few photocopied flyers for their reflectors and mount,sirius obs.,televue , thousand oaks, a comprehensive price list for a lot of celestron products. There was a price list for AOS products but it has dissappeared :(
Also a list of available astro books and price list and a "noticeboard" discussing a number of new products available.
If this is of use to you I am happy to send it to you and you can scan it or whatever and return it when you're finished with it. I think it is from around 1993.
Cheers, Richard

[RichardJ]

Thank you. Much appreciated.
PM sent.

Richard.

[UniPol]

Hi Richard, I have few catalogues from the 1960's through to the 1980's but will take some time to find. I did manage to find and scan one tonight from around 1969-70 and have a 1972 copy yet to be scanned. The owner of the Amateur Astronomers supply Co at this time was Eric Witcombe. I'm happy to send you a PDF scanned copy (10.8MB} of the 1969-70 catalogue if you let me know your email address. Cheers, Steve

[RichardJ]

Hi Steve,

Yes please. I’ll send you my details.
Thank you for going to all this effort.
Lots of wonderful memories.

Richard.

[marc4darkskies]

Very fond memories of visiting Amateur Astronomers Supply Co. in the very early 70s and pouring over their catalogues. Met Eric several times. Bought a Unitron 3" equatorial and 8" Celestron from there and visited often just to get their catalogues.

[Rigel003]

Golly that catalogue cover brings back so many memories. I bought the mirror and most of the tube assembly of an 8” f/5 from them in early 70s. Also visited the store in Crows Nest on an early visit to Sydney. Thank goodness for people who hang on to things.

[donavan.jones]

Guys,
Thank you for sharing these, i still have the 4inch that was brought from astro optical back in the very early 80's still have the astro optical sticker on the focuser, such amazing telescopes.....just amazing

[WattleHill]

I also have fond memories of Astro Optical Supplies. I received my first scope from them in 1983. I can still recite the address....

Midcity Arcade
200 Bourke Street
Melbourne

ASV member by the name of Keith Bambury ran the shop.

My first scope as an Amasco.

two years later I bought a 6" blank and made my first mirror!

I'd love to locate a catalogue from 83.