There are many, many books on astronomy and telescopes but very, very few on antique telescopes. Following is a list of the most interesting and informative. These are not the usual "coffee-table" books that you will find plenty of, but a few volumes that are really worth reading, not only for their scholarly approach but also for sheer enjoyment. At least one of them, Longitude, was not only a national best seller, but is a real "page turner."

Old Telescopes has a host of information about telescopes dating back to Newton’s telescope, explains the basic principles of their optics and gives useful tips on care and restoration. The book is profusely illustrated with photographs of telescopes from the author’s own collection. This well illustrated book by Reg. Cheetham, serves as a guide on the identification and dating of old telescopes found in collections and the antique trade today. Demonstrating the scarcity of such books, this slim 66-page softcover book sold on ebay in March of 2005 for $78.00. It received more bids than many of the antique telescopes offered during the same week.

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