This catalogue was owned by James Short, who was was in charge of the astrographic telescope at Sydney Observatory's Red Hill Branch from July 1890 until his retirement in 1930. He made important contributions to the work of the Observatory while his turbulent relationships with the various Government Astronomers add colour to the Observatory's history. Items associated with Short are an important addition to the material documentation of the history of Sydney Observatory.

James Walter Short was born on 11 November 1865. He was given a temporary appointment "In charge of Photographic Telescope" at Sydney Observatory on 3 July 1890. Six years later on 3 July 1896 he became the permanent "Astronomical Photographer". Short retired at the end of 1930 and died on 21 June 1943.

He had three sons:

Graham Gunther Short
Ron Short (killed during WWII)
Russell Short

Catalogue with insert, 'Cooke, Troughton and Simms', paper, used by James Short, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, published in London, England, [1930]

Catalogue of the instrument making firm Cooke, Troughton and Simms. It contains a With Compliments slip to James Short.

Published: Cooke, Troughton & Simms Ltd; London, England; 1930 - 1935


Used: Short, James Walter [1865 - 1943]; Sydney

2005/124/6

1930 - 1935