{"id":41518,"date":"2024-10-11T03:41:32","date_gmt":"2024-10-11T07:41:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.georgeglazer.com\/wpmain\/?post_type=product&p=41518"},"modified":"2024-11-11T17:04:27","modified_gmt":"2024-11-11T22:04:27","slug":"astronomy-planisphere-charles-kullmer-revolving-star-disks-on-stand-syracuse-1910","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/www.georgeglazer.com\/wpmain\/product\/astronomy-planisphere-charles-kullmer-revolving-star-disks-on-stand-syracuse-1910\/","title":{"rendered":"Astronomy, Planisphere, Charles Kullmer, Revolving Star Disks on Stand, Syracuse, 1910"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

In a contemporary advertisement for the offered model of the Constellation Finder, referred to there as a \u201cstar chart,\u201d its use is described as follows: \u201cThis new astronomical instrument is based on the principle of the equatorial telescope mounting\u2014an arrow takes the place of the telescope. \u2026 Place the arrow wherever you wish, and it will be pointing, when properly set, at the star-group shown and named in the opening of the indicator below.\u201d At the time of issuance, the instrument was accompanied by an instruction manual covering star maps and basic facts, enabling the user to study important celestial phenomena with ease. Promoting its use as one of the first at home tools for science, the advertisement lists various teaching functions of the instrument: \u201c…the apparent daily rotation of the whole sky; where stars, sun, moon and planets rise and set, and the actual path taken by them; the seasons, movement of sun north and south and path of solstices and equinoxes; the constellations\u2014locations and names; sidereal and solar time; right ascension and declination; etc., etc., etc.\u201d<\/p>\n

Charles J. Kullmer’s research papers are now inventoried at the Syracuse University Archives as The Charles J. Kullmer Papers. The University provides the following biography:<\/p>\n

Charles J. Kullmer was a professor of German at Syracuse University from 1905 to 1942, as well as a scientist recognized for his invention of the Kullmer Constellation Finder and for his research on weather systems.<\/p>\n

Charles J. Kullmer was born on March 5, 1879, in Sedalia, Missouri. His family moved to Los Angeles when he was seven, and they moved again to Montana when he was about to enter high school. Kullmer received his A.B. degree from Harvard in 1900, and then his Ph.D. from Tubingen University in Heidelberg, Germany in 1901. Between 1901 and 1905, he taught at Harvard-Radcliffe and the University of Indiana. Kullmer was welcomed to Syracuse University in 1905 as an assistant professor and taught for thirty-seven years until his death in 1942.<\/p>\n

During his time as a professor, he frequently visited Germany to write about the country\u2019s history, geography and culture. In 1907, he published an essay called Possneck and Herman and Dorothea<\/em>, in which he argued that the city of Possneck inspired a scene from Goethe\u2019s famous epic. In 1912, he published A Sketch Map of Germany<\/em>, and in 1914, published France, A French Composition Book with Sketch Maps<\/em>. He was chosen by the German Societies of Syracuse to give the main address for the hundredth anniversary of Goethe\u2019s death in 1932.<\/p>\n

Kullmer also worked independently as a scientist and made lasting contributions to the field of astronomy. He invented the Kullmer Constellation Finder, an instrument that allowed anyone to easily track the position of celestial bodies. His research on weather systems, titled \u201cThe Latitude Shift of the Storm Track in the Eleven-year Solar Period,\u201d was published by the Smithsonian Institute in 1915.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Full text of cartouche: KULLMER CONSTELLATION FINDER \/ COPYRIGHT 1910 PATENT PENDING\u201d and \u201cC. J. KULLMER \/ SYRACUSE, N.Y.\u201d<\/p>\n

Condition: The paper volvelle cards generally very good with the usual light overall toning, wear, handling, exhibiting also a slight warping of the paper. Scattered oxidation and tarnish to metal stand commensurate with age and use.<\/p>\n

References<\/p>\n

Carter, Tim. \u201cCharles Julius Kullmer Papers: An Inventory of His Papers at the Syracuse University Archives.\u201d Syracuse University: Special Collections Research Center<\/em>. 2016. library.syracuse.edu\/digital\/guides_sua\/html\/sua_kullmer_cj_prt.htm (30 September, 2024).<\/p>\n

\u201cEquatorial Star Finder.\u201d Smithsonian Institution National Museum of History Online Collection.<\/em> https:\/\/americanhistory.si.edu\/collections\/nmah_1817925 (30 September 2024).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Kullmer Constellation Finder<\/strong>
\nCharles J. Kullmer, Syracuse: 1910
\nPaper discs on chromed metal stand
\n7.5 inches tall, 6 inches diameter, approximately
\n$1,475<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is so simple and ingenious that it is fascinating to operate.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

An early 20th century astronomical instrument similar in function and design to a celestial planisphere. It is useful for astronomers, students of astronomy, and navigators in finding the relative places of stars and constellations in the sky during the year. Known as the Kullmer Constellation Finder, the device is comprised of two laminated paper rotating volvelle disks with names of constellations and their numerical elevations, as well as a time and date dial. The disks are set on a\u00a0 chromed metal rod stand comprised of a round platter on a bent upright arm continuously curved to form a round base. The moveable pointer on the platter adjacent to the paper dials can be rotated to align with the correct date and time on them. A central mounted arrow-form indicator is used to select the data for a particular constellation. The device is identified by a circular cartouche in the top volvelle. A surviving Kullmer Constellation Finder is in the collection of the Smithsonian\u2019s National Museum of American History. Kullmer also issued the Constellation Finder on a more elaborate adjustable stand.<\/p>\n

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