Rufus Guenon
Monkey of Supernatural Power

Rufus Guenon, the Monkey of Supernatural Power, is seen above the solar prominence in a view of mementos preserved in the Stellafane clubhouse. Photo by J.W.B., March, 2016.

In the November, 1937, issue of Amateur Astronomy, published in Milwaukee by the recently unified "American Amateur Astronomical Association," Leo J. Scanlon of Pittsburgh contributed an article entitled "Stellafane 1937," describing his third Convention. It was a time when everyone was stimulated by the new book, Amateur Telescope Making — Advanced.

Part of Scanlon's journey to Stellafane involved a visit to "the basement workshop of that nationally famous whipper of recalcitrant surfaces, Wally Everest". There, Scanlon recorded, "Reposing over the work bench was Rufus, mascot of the Stanley Club of Pittsfield, Mass., whose possession guaranteed good optical surfaces if you obtained him legitimately."

"Everest carried Rufus to Stellafane for the convention, where he was kidnapped for an unknown period of time. Everest's opinion was that he would be recovered rather suddenly, for in profane hands Rufus had the knack of turning rouge to carbo on the lap, producing unpolishable scratches. Since the New York group, aided by Stoy of Atlanta, are guilty of the heinous crime of 'kidnapping' Rufus, we expect to hear sad reports of the progress of the 21-inch telescope blank being ground in the lobby of the Planetarium in New York."

In the next issue of the same monthly (December, 1937, vol. 3, no. 10, page 159), a brief article explained more. Here's a transcription:

Coup d'État

Having verily, in the sense of the word, "seized the power," the Optical Division, AAA, wished to preserve the memory of its famous deed for posterity.

We now have Rufus, the monkey of supernatural power, and we feel righteously proud of our great feat of kidnapping him on the afternoon of Sunday, Aug. 15, 1937, at approximately 5 p.m.

We, the Optical Division, AAA, send our sincerest thanks to A. W. Everest, M.M. and B.S.T.N., first order, for the kind information that every organization in the country has been trying to seize Rufus, blandly telling us that he doubted if it would be done. He never suspected that in our low minds there lurked the evil thought, "just wait till we get our chance!"

At 4:30 p.m., with careful stealth, the abductors seized Rufus and hustled him from Everest's cellar to the waiting car. At 5 p.m. goodbyes were bid and the abductors were seriously told by Mr. Everest that he hoped to hear from them soon. In return he was assured that we would hear from him soon, the mocking significance of which he could not interpret at the time as we rolled lightheartedly down the street.

But it was Mrs. Lojas who insisted that we tell the grand potentate of mirrordom what we had done. And reluctantly we did. The look of A. W.'s face was worth it; possibly it was the height of amazement at our audacity. However, since we had successfully completed our coup d'état, we were given the ultimatum that he (Rufus) would have to be returned in one year and presented with due ceremony and reverence to the leader of the Pittsfield group at Stellafane.

Therefore, now that we have achieved the same social standing as the Boston group did on that memorable night at Oak Ridge a few years ago, we, the undersigned, wish it to be known that our consciences are free and that our mirrors from now on shall be more perfect than ever, or vice-versa, depending on the whims of Rufus, the supernatural charmer of paraboloids, oblate spheroids, or what have you.

So let it be as is.

Lou Lojas
Carl Grosswendt, Jr.
(chief abductors).
The assistance of J. J. Stoy of Atlanta, Ga., was greatly appreciated in the accomplishment of the deed.

Finally, in the January, 1938, issue, page 12, we have an overview with further background, related by Carl Grosswendt, Jr., Secretary of the Optical Division of the Amateur Astronomers Association, who began by describing the Division's first annual dinner:

"Those who finally did honor themselves and us with certain well-placed remarks were A. W. Everest and wife, J. R. Haviland, W. S. Von Arx and other known and unknown T.N.'s. The guest of honor was Charles Federer, who found us our home in the Hayden Planetarium, and, of course, Rufus Guenon, the monkey of supernatural powers, who dominated all.

"It seems that Leo Scanlon does not think much of our coup d'état Rufus, namely that we took it out of Everest's cellar when he was not looking; Scanlon claims that that is what Everest wanted us to do.

"Well, let it be known that A. W. and his gang originally swiped it from McAdam of Hastings on the Hudson, and the Boston group swiped it from them. They got it back all right, but we've got it now. It seems to us that Leo is just plain jealous and his disclaimer is just to hide his own chagrin of having muffed his chance the day before we got it.

"Well, who is the lucky next one? We shall return Rufus with due reverence and ceremony next August at Stellafane."