The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-23
BIG MODEL OF THE MOON.
1T HAS BEEN LYING BOXED Up IN
CHICAGO FOR TEN YEARS
The Field Museum Has Discovered
IL and VIII soon Put IL in Place
for Use-A scientifically Correct
Copy Twenty Feet In Diameter.
ost celebrated and interest

discovered In Chicago. where * has lain
boxed up and forgotten for more than ten
years. This important fabr.c,' as Won
Humboldt called it--,wenty feet In dam
eter. composed OF lis sections and showing
the surface OF the eartl's Satellite as IL
appeared through the most powerful tele-
scope-has been brought TO light by the
/ Field Columbian museum, where IL Will
soon be put into place.
A history OF this model OF the moon from
&he time 1t was made in Bonn would nil
several volumes. IL IS the only shing OF
the kind ever made, and il would cost
thousands Of dollars 10 make another as
scientifically correct.
The model, when put together. Of course,
represents she nh7on as hemisphere,
bat one side OF the MOON Is ever seen from
the earth. IL Is made of plaster on a
framework of wood and metal, and con-
sists OF 1l6 separate pieces SO constructed
that they may De easily fitted together.
It shows over 90 markings on the sur
face or the moon, and one glance will give
better idea OF the physical! formation OF
the earth's satellite than could be OBJ
tanned by long, laborious observation with
telescope The moons mountains, era
tiers, plains and assures are reproduced IN
bold relief, and Wien lighted from differ
ent angles by a powerful light, all the
phases OF the moon from new to full may
be seen more wildly than on the Veritabie
moon itself. The model. which Is by far
the largest, most elaborate and expensive
representation of the moon ever made,
was constructed under the direction of DR..
j. r. Julius Schmidt. at one time director
OF the observatory at Athens. Greece. 1t
is the work OF years of observation and
patient iabors DIR. Schmidt is recognized
as one Of the highest authorities on lunar
matters. The actual work OF molding the
p.aster was done by Thomas Dickert. GU
! rator Of the museum OF the University Of
Bonn.
But for its accidental discovery by the
officers Of the Field museum the valua-
bic model would no doubt have remained
in obscurity for many years longer and
most likely would have fallen into ruin
and decay. The officers of the big muse
um who are ever on the lookout for new
material. wanting relief map or model
OF the moon. wrote TO Prof. Burnham. OF
the Yerkes observatory for information.
Prof. Burnham had had his attention
called to the pretentious model above
mentioned, and at his suggestion Prof.
harrington of the museum examined the
model. and was delighted TO find that 1t
surpassed anything he had hoped to find
extant or possible to make.
The big half satellite was found on an
upper floor OF the old tenement house at
1435 Stato street in the possession Of
Lewis Reese. 1t was packed away in the
original BOXES III which II was shipped To
this country from Germany. and until
recently some Of these boxes have not
been opened for years. These sections were
found 20 be III an excellent state OF pres
ervaton, being very carefully packed in
the large. quaint, iron-bound boxes which
were made expressly for the model and
which show many evidences of their for
eign manufacture. For the last ten years
the model has been in the possession Of
Mr. Reese-who by the way, is the only
maker Of astronomical telescope lenses in
Chicago. 1t fell into his hands through
loan he had advanced 70 defray stor-
age charges. and he was anxious TO pre-
serve what he considered an astronomi-
| cal treasure. Previous 10 its ownership
| by Mr.. Reese the plaster moon had been
accommodating charges in a storage ware
! house, from which he redeemed Il and
moved the boxes TO his own workshop.
( Reese thought such n well-known scien-
/ tific object would be- an easy thing to
dispose of. but what he considered prof
! table investment proved. instead. to be
! an elephant on his hands. His efforts 20
| dispose OF II had about given way to de-
SPAR wheel Il was discovered by the Field
| museum.
/ The big model was brought to the
! United States by @. G. Riyertson. who for
! many years has been a resident OF Chi
| cage and IL now living AZ l3i Oak street.
| Mr.. Rivertson. who is a man OF scholarly
! attanments and who Converses in many
languages was once the possess0r OF a
/ large fortune. which was lost in his ef-
/ forts 10 exhibit in the United States some
/ OF the best known and most scientific ob-
| iects then 10 be had in Europe. one OF
| these was Schmlt's model Of the moon.
| Rivertson had unlimited capital at hts
| disposal and paid fabulous prices for his
| collie ton. The finest microscope seen in
this country up 10 that time the finest
! Nobert plate ever made, used az TEST
| fer microscopes; a portable electric light
! ing experimentation great novelty
were few OF the many valuable scien-
! ;iic objects the efforts to exhibit which
| cast Inversion his fortune. Riverston.
! having made frequent trips - Europe.
became familiar with the model OF the
! moon az Bonn and conceived the idea Of
/ bringing IL to the United States. where
he thought Il would excite even greater
: interest than in Europe. So tho moon be-
came the property ~ Inversion and also
! the largest and most valuable item OF his
! collection. Before its exile from SIS ma
| tive land the lie pieces were put together
| and exhibited 4 Bonn. Leipsic Hamburg
and other large cities OF Europe. Al
though not q great success financially, be-
! cause Of the great expense attending IS
exhibition. the moon attracted much at
tention from scientific men and th1sia
/ connected with the schools and UNIVERSE
i ties. Free exhibitions and lectures were
( given Tor school children, thousands Of
J whom attended.
/ /. vas IN the United States that Rjv-
! erS;on hoped % get back with large prof
is. she money be had expended for his
collection. His outfit was accordingly
4 shipped TO New York. where. In The cuS-
/ tarEs officials he met what later proved
: - he the beginning OF the long Sci les %
. disasters thai ended sn ftnl1eia4 ruin.
( The outfit VAS refused entrance without
heavy charges for duty.
The moon was first exhibited In Stem
nay halI New York CITY. and, although
/ is owner spen; several rhouSa nds ~ dol
/ 'acs IN advertising and preparation the
number Of people who came with the re>-
| reSary price OF admission was - sinai.
t32t financially tho show was 4 failure
Here. ~ IN Europe. the lectures were
given - school children. The cold. bare
si-:5-e ~ the model did nos attract the
general public and after several uEsu--
cFsSf-. attempts the collection vs.