Description

A highly stylised and fine five draw monocular in a combination of silver plate and ray skin (shagreen). One inch (2.5 cm..) OG lens, 2 cm. compressed, 10 cm. open, it bears the rare and early flowing script signature of Cheval(ll)ier as follows: “L’Ingenieur Chevallier, Brevete du Roi, vis-a-vis Le Marche aux Fleurs No. 1,  a Paris” (by 1815, Tour de L’Horloge du Palais No.1). All of this inscribed on the first draw that is only 1.5 cm. in diameter !!!

The craftsmanship is superb with a double border of rosettes on the main barrel with green ray skin in between. The knurling is fine and diagonal. There are no losses to the ray skin and only minor staining from 200 years of handling. The silver plate is also very fine with only minor areas of wear on the edges of the draws. The optics are spectacular with an estimated 10X magnification. No lens fogging or damage. The draws are nice and tight. No case.

Charles Louis Chevallier (later Chevalier) 1805-1859 was at this address in his early career. Not sure why he signed it to be at the Flower Market but the workshop was next door to this address (perhaps everybody knew of the market but not of the office?-large and tall building) and within 5 years, all instruments had the Tour de L’Horloge du Palais No. 1 signature. This dates the instrument to within 10 years (1805-1815). A true rarity for the connoisseur.