LOVELY SHEFFIELD PLATE MINIATURE TELESCOPE
Stock Number: 8028
$2200.
For sale, an 18th century antique telescope in a charming miniature size. The instrument is made of Sheffield silver plated copper and brass, the main tube with black enamel over copper. Telescope gives erect images. The case is present. Has triplet achromatic objective and two swiveling eye lenses.
Dimensions
opens from 2-3/4
Circa
c. last quarter 18th century
Country of manufacture
UK and Ireland
Description
SPLENDID MINIATURE TELESCOPE WITH COMBINABLE EYE LENSES AND SOLAR CAP, English, c. last quarter 18th century, signed “J. Bleuler, London.” Constructed with tubes and fittings of Sheffield silver plated copper and brass, this little telescope opens from 2-3/4″ to 6″ (7 – 15 cm) with three drawtubes. The main tube is finished with black enamel over copper. Giving erect images, the optics are a greenish triplet achromatic objective, two swiveling eyelenses useable singly or in combination, and a slip-on solar filter / dust cap. It is signed on the largest drawtube, and numbered 1, 2, 3 on the smallest. Condition is very fine noting a few scratches to the enamel. It is complete with the original cylindrical wood carrying case bound in red Morocco leather. The innovative maker of this unusual telescope was John Bleuler (1757 – 1829) of Ludgate Hill, apprenticed to Shuttleworth, made free in the Spectaclemakers Company in 1779.
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Dealer information
TESSERACT
David and Yola Coffeen both have enjoyed academic careers, as planetary astronomer and as linguist/educator. But since 1982 (yes, 1982!) they have been full-time dealers in early scientific and medical instruments, under the name Tesseract. Selling primarily by catalogue (over 100 issued so far) they also have a web presence at www.etesseract.com, and can be contacted at [email protected].
