Here's a picture gallery documenting the doings of the Foundation. These are in rough chronological order; there are many more to come.

Many of these pictures are available in two resolutions. Clicking on the thumbnail image will give you a scan that is (about) 600 pixels wide. When one is available, you will see another link offering a higher-resolution view of the same photo, which you may grab if you like the lower-res version.

Captions for these pictures were written by Paul Shoemaker, with changes and/or comments by Jon Lackey and Gary Taylor. Unless otherwise credited, all drawings are by Ron Cobb and all photographs are by Paul Shoemaker.

Thanks again for visiting the Site!
 
 

This conjectural drawing of Chesley Donavan by Ron Cobb is the only portrait known, based on exhaustive researches. He is shown in late 1821 as the Donavanian party trudged off across the California desert to their destiny--and into oblivion. 2005x1677 (112K)

Thanksgiving Day, November 1953, 11:00 AM. The first official act of the nascent Chesley Donavan Foundation is a group visit to see George Pal's War of the Worlds. Tad Duke paints his father's car and Ron Cobb straightens the flag. Paul Shoemaker, dressed like the others, is behind the camera. 1994x1772 (318K)

February 2, 1954, 8:00 PM., Duke Welding Shop (upstairs), 1028 West Burbank Blvd., Burbank, CA. The Chesley Donavan Foundation is officially born. Left to right: Paul Shoemaker, Tad Duke, Ron Cobb. The spurious notion that the name Chesley Donavan is made up of a combination of Chesley Bonestell and the novel title Donovan's Brain continues to be denied on all fronts. Photo by Tom Ula, used with permission. 1942x1360 (649K)

Still life 1954. The SE corner of "The Crypt," as the CD meeting room was called. 1519x1207 (578K)

Ron Cobb points Tad Duke to a verse in the scriptures.

Tad Duke hard at work on a masterpiece in the NE corner of The Crypt. 979x593 (234K)

Paul Shoemaker practicing looking up at the Earth from Moon Base. Space suit by Bob Burns, sewn by his mother. 733x979 (167K)

This ruined cairn, discovered near 29 Palms, California, and believed to be a relic of the Donavanians in California, was sketched by Ron Cobb in 1954. Unfortunately, before serious excavations could be undertaken, Screechowl Road was extended and a house built, effectively obliterating the monument, crushing it to gravel. The loss to posterity is incalculable. Rumors persist that a strange bearded man is occasionally seen prowling the vicinity. 837x807 (276K)

Cover of issue #2 of Magnitude magazine, 1955. 1433x2289 (96K)

Full text of the original article on the 4D mass neutralizer drive unit, from Magnitude #4. (Thumbnail image would be illegible; must be viewed full-size.) 1601x4171 (197K)

Drawing by Ron Cobb, Copyright © 1955. 1509x2208 (110K)

Jon Lackey (far left) in command at the desert rocket firing range, May 1955.      ["I have never been in command of a rocket launching. I was just standing there. I wouldn't want anyone to think I would make spurious claims." --Jon Lackey. "Spurious claims, my pararisive edentation! Jon Lackey has never not been in command in his life!" Paul Shoemaker]

Jon Lackey in 1956. (Photo by Jon Lackey.) 796x1153 (304K)

Jon Lackey, 1962.

The First and Most Holy Rationalist Orthodox Freethinking Church of Donavania conducts its annual blessing of the telescopes, Los Angeles, January 1965. 1197x1773 (380K)

A Sularian citizen, wearing his colorful native costume, proudly displays the flag of his country. 883x1320 (280K)