Engraved presentation telescope, Australian connection.
£620
Circa
1854
Country of manufacture
UK and Ireland
Description
A taper barrelled single draw leather covered marine telescope, the barrel with a ‘merchant services flag panel. The single draw is signed, ‘Dollond, London’ with additional inscription, ‘Presented to Captain Robert Pollock by the Passengers of the Ship, Plantagenet, 1854’.
The Plantagenet was a wooden sailing ship of 806 tons, built in Newcastle in 1838. It arrived in Australia in July 1854 with the Captain and crew of 23 and with a passenger list of 310 including a surgeon.
Captain Pollock was said to be a kind and competent man, hence the gift, as many captains and crew of the time were not.
The telescope measures 34.5″ (88 cms) when extended and has a main lens of 42 mm with a magnification of 22 x.
The telescope is in excellent condition and gives a fine sharp image.
Very interesting history.
It comes with a later wooden display stand.
No dents, damage free lenses.
