West Sea Co. TELESCOPES & OPTICS Catalog Page 21

West Sea Company

TELESCOPES & OPTICS

Catalog Page 21

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21.59 PATENT TELESCOPE. Fine, World War II vintage American telescope made by the prestigious "Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. Rochester, N.Y U.S.A." as impressed on the objective cover and signed on the draw tube. This single draw hand-held telescope has two interesting features. The ocular end is completely protected by a removable, screw-on cover and the objective is protected by a threaded cover as well. Secondly, the draw tube is knurled allowing it to be pulled out for viewing. Focusing is accomplished by pulling the tube out to one of 11 pre-set "stops" then fine adjustment is made by rotating the the knurled eyepiece. The result is a highly magnified image of perfect clarity! This state-of-the-art telescope is made of aluminum in three finishes: olive drab, bright black, and bright metallic. It measures 12 inches long closed by 17 inches long fully extended and 2 1/4 inches in diameter. With a U.S. Patent number of 2155569 it dates to late 1939. Its olive drab exterior indicates use by the U.S. Army. MINT condition! 195

CLOSED COVER OBJECTIVE

21.66 CAPTAIN's SPYGLASS. Authentic mid-1800's sea captain's spyglass, alternatively known as a "long glass." This superb example is British-made, bearing the fancily engraved signature "John R. Neill, Dublin" on the draw. What's more, inside the sun shade, the barrel is engraved with the Sea Captain's name in equally beautiful script, "John Finlay"! Construction is in keeping with the classic early 19th century manner, using a long tapered brass main barrel with a single draw. The barrel is covered in rich maroon leather. The objective is of the doublet, achromatic type, which together with the original erecting lenses in the draw, produce a clear, upright magnified image with little or no distortion. This telescope is complete with its original eye cup with pivoting dust cover and original pull-out brass sun shade on the objective end. Fully extended the telescope measures 39 1/2 inches long by 2 1/2 inches in diameter. Closed it measures 30 inches long. Outstanding condition with a nice age patina to the brass surfaces.

The Neill name was well established in Ireland as a family of respected opticians, clockmakers, and silversmiths. Beginning with Robert Neill in Belfast in 1805, the firm name became Neill & Sons (John and James) in 1842 and Neill Brothers in 1850. During the latter time frame, John obviously made some instruments on his own, as represented by this example signed solely, "John R. Neill."

A genealogical search for John Finlay provides several options. Once of the best is Captain John Finlay of Killough, County Down, Ireland circa 1900.

CLOSED


OBJECTIVE	SIGNATURE	CAPTAIN

21.65 ROYAL NAVY TELESCOPE. Significant, early 1900's tripod telescope made for the British Admiralty by the famed London opticians and telescope makers, "Broadhusrt Clarkson & Co., Ltd. 63 Farringdon Road, London E.C." as engraved on the draw tube. This impressive Navy telescope is from World War I and bears the distinctive British broad arrow on the mounting pedestal which is marked "Stand Observation Tel Special Mk I. Blunt & Wray 1919. No. 314" This type of telescope would have been carried on and off ship to be used by landing parties in accessing landing sites and other important long range shoreside observations, including spotting naval gunfire. The graceful tapered brass barrel retains its original hand-stitched leather covering and bright brass fittings. The massive objective lens is of the achromatic type, measuring 3 1/2 inches in diameter. The objective is protected by its lovely brass press-fit lens cover and sliding dust cover on the eyepiece. This is the most powerful telescope we have ever had the pleasure of offering! It has the unique capability of being adjustable power - a feature rarely found on any telescope! This so called "pancratic" function allows the power to be adjusted from 40X through 70X providing an incredibly clear, upright image of the highest magnification. The telescope mounts atop its original mahogany tripod with iron-tipped "feet" and two-section legs, which fit together on large threaded brass joints providing portability. As configured the height of eye is 5 feet. The length of the telescope focused at infinity is 4 feet with a maximum diameter of 3 7/8 inches. Outstanding, near perfect condition in all respects. An amazing telescope almost 90 years old! 3900


BARREL	STRUT	OBJECTIVE	COVER


RACK & PINION	POWERS	BROAD ARROW	SIGNATURE

21.64 IMPORTANT EARLY TELESCOPE by the MASTER. Here is an exceedingly rare 4-draw hand-held mariner's telescope from the mid-1700's! Cutting edge for its time, the lens of this telescope is achromatic, consisting of crown and flint glass sandwiched together. Yet the telescope itself is constructed in a traditional 16th century manner using vellum overlying thin wooden barrels! Internally it contains a very early form 5-element erecting system housed within threaded rosewood fittings! The main barrel is covered in exotic green ray skin. The second draw bears the maker's signature boldly impressed into its side, "DOLLOND LONDON." Each draw is beautifully reinforced with knurled brass retainers and marked with small black dots designating the "stop." With that, this telescope has no mechanical stops. Every draw pulls out. This aspect is indicative of telescopes made before 1720! The objective end retains it original threaded brass dust cover and the eyepiece is complete with its early form brass nipple and sliding dust slide. This long telescope is surprisingly lightweight -- ingeniously designed to be easily manageable. With a length at infinity of 42 1/2 inches the 1 1/2 inch objective has a very long focal length. Again, this fact is indicative of the earliest telescopes. Condition of this museum-quality telescope is exceptional considering its 250+ years. The original optics produce a sharp, clear highly magnified image. The durable ray skin main barrel is in "fine" condition with no losses and just a few old age cracks as expected. The brass surfaces are crisp, bright and in their original lacquer! The vellum draws are in amazingly well-preserved condition noting some minor losses to the green paper in a couple of places. A very decorative and rare telescope made by the most famous maker of them all!

Peter Dollond (1731-1821) was the son of John Dollond, a Huguenot silk weaver in Kensington, England. Peter apprenticed to his father in the trade, but his father's amateur interest in optics inspired him so much that in 1850 he opened an optician's shop in London. Two years later his father joined him in the new venture. With his father, and subsequently with his younger brother and nephew, Peter Dollond designed and manufactured a number of innovative optical and scientific instruments. He is credited with inventing the achromatic lens, for which he received a Royal patent in1763.

Dollond telescopes were among the most popular in England and abroad for more than 150 years. Lord Admiral Nelson carried one. Another sailed with Captain Cook to observe the Transit of Venus in 1769. Dollond's more notable customers included composer Leopold Mozart, Frederick the Great and Thomas Jefferson.

After successfully defending a legal challenge of his patent, Dollond's business flourished. His reputation and the fact that his father was a member of the Royal Society, afforded them access to the best raw materials available at the time for their manufacture. This privilege permitted Dollond to maintain an edge in quality over his competitor's optical instruments for many years.


OBJECTIVE	CLOSED	EYEPIECE


DETAIL	SIGNATURE

21.62 U.S. NAVY TRIPOD TELESCOPE. Most impressive World War II vintage U.S. Navy telescope mounted on its original tripod. This high powered optical device is the type used by officers on the bridges of capital ships during that war. A few such telescopes were also configured for exploratory landing party use. Because of the stresses and abuse that such arduous use inflicted, few survived. Represented here is a rare original example in very fine overall condition. The pristine state-of-the-art optics produce an extremely large field with a highly magnified image of incredible clarity with a magnification of 13 X! Such high magnification is accomplished using a complex internal prism system giving this telescope the same focal length (and thus magnifying power) of much longer, traditional telescopes. The all brass barrel has a bronze trunnion collar which bears the brass maker's label on the top. It reads:

SHIP'S TELESCOPE
MARK I MOD O
U.S. NAVY BU. SHIPS
Serial No. 3289
BAUSCH & LOMB OPTICAL CO.
ROCHESTER NY

The trunnion and the heavy brass yoke allow the telescope to train and elevate with precision using the convenient handle affixed to the left side of the barrel. The telescope is fitted onto its original tripod, marked in high relief inscription, "U.S. NAVY TRIPOD MODEL 660, NEW YORK." on the top of the heavy brass "spider." This centerpiece is secured by means of large wing nuts to 3 solid mahogany tripod legs tapering to brass-tipped feet. As shown, the entire presentation stands approximately over 5 feet tall, with a mid-range height of eye of 5 feet 1 1/2 inches. The height adjustable yoke can be raised up or down about 6 inches, affording heights of eye from about 5 to 5 1/2 feet. One 6 inch spacer is included for this purpose. The barrel of the telescope itself measures 22 inches long and 5 inches in diameter. The top is equipped with two sighting pins which allow the viewer to align the target with gunsight accuracy! It also has a set of 3 internal rotating filters which allow it to be used effectively in otherwise hazy or low light conditions! The entire presentation makes for a most impressive floor-standing telescope, displayable within a limited space, while providing state-of-the-art optics!


TELESCOPE	OBJECTIVE	DETAIL	OBSERVER'S VIEW	MOUNT	MAKER

21.30 MARINE SURVEYING INSTRUMENT. Late 19th C. all brass precision hydrographic survey instrument consisting of a rack and pinion telescope mounted atop a heavy solid brass rule rule with bubble level and chart roller. The beveled leading edge is calibrated in inches and millimeters while the top of the rule is engraved with a graduated scale of 1/250,000 to extrapolate distances in yards using dividers. The high quality optical telescope with cross hairs folds up and locks into position for use. It provides a clear, upright, magnified image. It is mounted to a divided arc which shows whole degrees of inclination or declination from -20 to 20. This instrument is signed "Royal Geographic Society No. 25, Reeves' Folding Alidade, 29, Cary, London." The entire unit fits snugly into its original hand dove-tailed mahogany box with brass fitting and trade label of "Cary, Porter Ltd." bearing the Royal coat of arms in the lid. The case measures 4 x 13 inches. This instrument was equipage of the British Geographical Society and was used to take precise sightings to ascertain lines of position for map and chart making. Excellent original condition throughout. Circa 1890. Rare! 795

The renown instrument making family of Cary, London dates to 1765. The brief partnership of William Cary and Henry Porter was established in 1890.


IN BOX	LABEL	SIGNATURE	BOX

21.4 BINOCULAR MICROSCOPE. High grade 19th C. English microscope made for the American market, signed and serial numbered on the base "R. & J. Beck, London 7072." and further engraved on the main tube "J W QUEEN & Co. Agents, Philadelphia & New York." This finely crafted all brass compound microscope features adjustable Wenham-style binocular body tubes mounted on a sturdy base and stands 14 inches tall as shown. It is complete with a total of 4 objectives and 4 ocular lens. It is housed in a lovely African mahogany box with brass furniture measuring 16 inches long. The lower till houses numerous glass slides while the upper section holds the additional optics, with 11 slots being empty including a separate slot for a light magnifier which is also missing. Of course the beauty of the innovation embodied in this microscope was the fact that the researcher could view a particular object with both eyes providing a clearer stereoscopic subject. This rare instrument is in excellent, untouched original condition with most of its original lacquered surfaces. It is functional and all adjustments operate smoothly and properly. A handsome presentation. 1895

The body tubes of this microscope were designed by W. H. Wenham in 1861, and are adjustable by means of a knurled knob that controls a rack and pinion gear set. A triangular base supports the limb, which has an adjustable inclination angle through a series of holes in the limb that fit a tabbed hinge plate. Coarse focus is achieved through a set of knobs that move the inner pillar tube up and down through a rack gear set. The top of the pillar contains a fine focus knob. A circular stage contains a central aperture and has a slide carrier to assist in translating specimens during viewingAccording to Turner, this form of the microscope stand was designed specifically to accommodate the Wenham binocular tube and was called "The Popular Microscope".

Richard and Joseph Beck joined in a partnership as opticians at 31 Cornhill, London from 1867-1894. They were most noted for their fine quality microscopes, and were admitted to the Microscopial Society of London. James W. Queen & Co. were in business as opticians at 48 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia from 1860-1893.


WITH ACCESSORIES	BOX