West Sea Co. TELESCOPES & OPTICS Catalog Page 21

21.73 TRIPOD TELESCOPE by the MASTER. Genuine, late 18th century English floor standing telescope made by Dollond of London as signed in pencil around the main lens. This most impressive instrument consists of a long tapered wooden barrel hewn from a single piece of mahogany! The perfect doublet objective lens is housed within a brass collar on the large end, while the viewing end is equipped with a fine rack and pinion focusing device operated by a large knurled knob. The erecting tube with eyepiece inserts with a sliding fit into the brass collar. As configured the all original optics provide a clear, upright image which is highly magnified with no chromatic distortion -- Dollond’s trademark. The objective retains its original press-on dust cap while the eyepiece has the typical built-in pivoting dust slide. This telescope is supported by its original brass collar with two knurled thumbscrews. The hinged, leather-lined collar holds the telescope securely while affording the option of removal for separate storage or hand-held use. The collar is set atop its heavy solid brass yoke which allows for smooth train and elevation while providing a steady viewing platform. The handsome tripod has solid mahogany legs which are each height-adjustable. The overall length of this telescope is 60 inches when focused at infinity. The objective lens is 2 3/4 inches across. The main barrel itself measures 51 1/2 inches long with a diameter of 3 1/4 inches. As shown, the entire presentation stands approximately 79 inches tall, accommodating any height of eye.

Peter Dollond (1731-1821,) son of inventor John Dollond, was widely credited with producing an effective achromatic lens, for which he was granted a Royal patent in 1758 and enjoyed the patronage of the Crown. For years the patent afforded Dollond access to the finest optical materials. Despite that fact, limitations in state-of-the-art lens grinding in the 18th century still made it necessary to manufacture lenses with long focal lengths in order to obtain maximum magnification. Accordingly, early high-powered refracting telescopes such as this example, required unusually long barrels. (Gloria Clifton, “Directory of British Scientific Instrument Makers 1550-1851,” 1995, National Maritime Museum, London.)

21.72 EARLY TRIPOD TELESCOPE. Fabulous, late 18th century English library telescope made by “D: JONES, CHARING, CROSS, LONDON.” as engraved on the end of the barrel. This handsome all brass refracting telescope has a tapered main barrel affixed to a complex equatorial mount set atop graceful Queen Anne style cabriole tripod legs. By means of rotating tabs, the gearing on the mount allows the viewer to make minute adjustments in both train and elevation of the telescope, most useful during celestial observations. Further, the mount allows the viewer to make large vertical and horizontal adjustments and provides a knob to “lock in” the desired direction once it is obtained. With its achromatic doublet objective lens and all original internal erecting system this telescope produces a crisp, clear upright image of high magnification with no chromatic distortion. Focusing is accomplished by a smooth rack and pinion system operated by a large knurled brass knob. To these ends the telescope is equipped with both interchangeable terrestrial and astronomical eye pieces. The terrestrial eyepiece has a built-in sun filter which cleverly doubles as a pivoting dust cover. The celestial eyepiece is also equipped with a dust cover. This state-of-the-art scientific instrument has an overall length of 38 ½ inches, standing 23 inches tall as shown and measuring 12 ½ inches wide at the base of the tripod. The main barrel is 27 ½ inches long with a maximum diameter of 2 5/8 inches and the objective lens measures 2 1/8 inches in diameter. The entire presentation stores snugly in its original fitted mahogany box with hinged lid, 2 hook and eye closures and original functional box lock with skeleton key! It is in an absolutely remarkable state of original preservation with virtually no cracks, chips or losses. This condition for such a carrying case of this age is virtually unheard of! The telescope itself is in fine cosmetic condition, noting some minor distress in the bottom of the main barrel, noted here only for thoroughness of description. A lovely, fully functional high grade optical device 220 years old!

In 1766 David Jones (I) was apprenticed to the famous master optical instrument maker and inventor, Benjamin Martin (w. 1738-1777). Thereafter Jones was listed as a mathematical instrument maker and optician, first at 25 Charing Cross, London, then 35 Charing Cross from 1785 to 1793. (Gloria Clifton, “British Scientific Instrument Makers 1555-1851, The National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, 1995.)

21.71 18th C. TELESCOPE. Scarce, second half of the 1700’s mariner’s telescope beautifully engraved in fancy script with floral designs on the draw tube, “Made by JA-CHAPMAN, St. Catherine’s, London.” This classic single draw spyglass has a tapered wooden barrel turned from a single piece of domestic hardwood, perhaps elm. The objective end is fitted with a traditional brass lens holder with spring-loaded dust slide, while the ocular end has an extremely long draw tube terminating in an early-form “nipple” eye piece. The eyepiece also retains its original sliding dust cover. Speaking to its early construction, this telescope has a monochromatic flint glass objective lens. In addition, each of the internal lenses in the erecting system are held in by threaded retainers. Overall this handsome old telescope is in fine condition, noting one old repair in the draw tube just above the eyepiece. The period optics produce a credible, magnified image of good clarity, with inconsequential spots in the field. 26 inches long closed, opening to an amazing 40 ½ inches fully extended and 2 ½ inches wide on the objective end. A functional early English sea captain’s spyglass approximately 230 years old! 895

James Chapman was a mathematical instrument maker, ship chandler and optician at Saint Catherine’s Dock near Tower Hill from 1774-1796.

Peter Dollond (1731-1821,) son of inventor John Dollond, was widely credited with producing an effective achromatic lens, for which he was granted a Royal patent in 1758. For years the patent precluded Dollond’s competitors, such a Chapman, from using the technology in their production. (Gloria Clifton, “Directory of British Scientific Instrument Makers 1550-1851,” 1995, National Maritime Museum, London.)


EYE PIECE	OBJECTIVE	OBJECTIVE END


OPEN	SIGNATURE

21.70 STEREO VIEWER. Late 19th century glass slide viewer of French manufacture signed “.UNIS . FRANCE . STANDARD 76 – STEREOSCOPES . PARIS – 3.” on the embossed brass maker’s label affixed to the top. This viewer is without a doubt the highest quality ever produced! It consists of a solid mahogany body with brass fittings. The large eye pieces are of turned ebony housing tandem optical glass lenses in brass retainers. These are mounted to a blackened wooden light shield which moves in and out for focusing. This is accomplished by racks and pinions on both sides, operated by a single knurled hard rubber knob, with a calibrated scale to indicate the focal length in centimeters. The right side has a blackened brass aperture for receiving glass slides. Once the slide is inserted, a small pivoting lever locks it securely into place. The front of the viewer is equipped with a frosted glass panel held within a hinged wooden frame. The glass is removable, secured by 4 small rotating spring tabs. On the top of the viewer is another hinged wooden cover attached to an internal mirror within a brass frame. An added complication is the inter-pupillary adjustment feature operated by yet another knurled knob attached to a rack and pinion. It is connected to a mechanical pointer looking much like an old fashioned elevator floor indicator. This clever device indicates the inter-pupillary distance from “60 – 76” millimeters. Thoughtfully, the wooden front of the viewer is also notched out to accommodate the viewer’s nose! This remarkable optical instrument measures 6 ½ by 4 ¼ inches wide on the front and 5 ¼ inches long when closed. Absolutely phenomenal original condition is all respects, showing very little use during its 100+ years! 795

Complete with 3 period, prepared color glass plate slides in their original box. The box is marked “Eastman PLATES” The side of the box bears an additional label read “Eastman Lantern Slide Plates.”


DETAIL	FRONT	MAKER


MIRROR	OPEN

21.69 OPERA GLASSES. A fine pair of late 19th century French opera glasses consisting of mother-of-pearl and gilt brass. The mother-of-pearl eye pieces are both engraved “L.B. & Co., PARIS.” This precision optical device is focuses by means of a knurled mother-of-pearl knob in the center. The original optics provide a clear, magnified image as well as enhanced light gathering capability as required in a dark theater. What makes this pair particularly unusual is the lovely alternating purple and white mother-of-pearl segments covering the body and eye pieces. 4 inches wide, 3 inches long fully extended and 1 ½ inches thick. Excellent original condition showing wear to the gilding. The optics are perfect. 195


MAKER	PERSPECTIVE

21.68 EARLY TELESCOPE. Quite rare, circa 1800 hand-held miniature telescope of English manufacture. This exceptional example features a tapered mahogany barrel turned from a single piece of wood. The doublet objective is of the old flint glass type with a distinctive greenish tinge. It is contained within its early form brass housing with classic spring-loaded sliding dust cover. The ocular end also contains a sliding dust cover and is signed “C. WEST, LONDON” on the eyepiece. Telling of it age, this telescope has no stop on the draw tube. The draw can be completely withdrawn from the main barrel! This handsome little relic is in near pristine original condition considering its 200+ year age. The optics are totally original and provide a clear, upright image of surprising clarity and magnification. 9 ½ inches closed and 17 inches long when focused at infinity. 649

Charles R. West was in business at 23 Plough Court, Fetter Lane, London from 1801-1805. He was a member of the Spectacle Makers guild and was granted a telescope patent 1806. He was closely associated with the most famous makers, Peter Dollond and John Adams. (Gloria Clifton, “Directory of British Scientific Instrument Makers 1550-1851,” 1995, The National Maritime Museum, London).

OBJECTIVE
OPEN

SIGNATURE


DRAW	BARREL


REVERSE	OBJECTIVE	MOUNT


IN BOX	BOX	SIGNATURE