Table-Top Variable Power Telescope by Plossl of Wien , ca. 1835
Stock Number: FG_22015
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This brass tabletop refractor telescope was made by Plössl of Wien, It has a round parallel barrel with a beveled objective lens cell, having a push-on cap. It has three draws, with a small handle covering a screw, fitted to the largest draw. The eyepiece has a thumbwheel used to select between four different eye lenses. The four lenses are labeled 1 through 4 and have different magnifications. It dates to around 1835.
Circa
1835
Maker
Plössl of Wien
Countries of manufacture
Germany, Other
Description
The Austrian maker Simon Georg Plössl made these Galilean telescopes before 1738. In many cases, they were signed “Plössl in Wien,” but there are some known examples, such as this one, of unsigned instruments. Similar telescopes signed by Plössl in Wien van be seen on the following links:
http://fp.optics.arizona.edu/antiques/telescope/Catalogue/T62/T62.htm
https://www.dorotheum.com/en/l/1935319/
https://www.cloudynights.com/gallery/image/115254-pl%C3%B6ssl-table-top-refractor/
The front lens is an achromatic doublet, and the four eyepieces on the revolver are negative focus singlets.
The telescope is generally in good condition with age scratches on the gilded brass. The blackened handle covering the screw (optionally used to attach the telescope to a wooden base) has a crack, but it is stable. One lens in the eyepiece revolver is damaged. These issues are shown in the photos in detail. The offering price considers these issues. This is a rare early telescope of a significant European instrument maker who later developed the Plössl ocular for telescopes, which is still used today.
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Gilgamesh
Gilgamesh was the mythological hero of the cultures of ancient West Asia, who set out on a journey in which he sought youth and eternal life.
Fleaglass Gilgamesh is located in Israel. As an archaeologist researching the material culture of the distant past and using the microscope as a powerful research tool, I have collected microscopes for over two decades from this fantastic tool's first 300 years of existence and researched the cultural context of their use. Passion has become an obsession, and I cultivate the complete and almost unique West Asian collection of historical microscopes. Respectively, I put up surplus or exciting items from the collection for sale. I would be happy to advise any interested collector free of charge. I would love to send photos, information and bibliographic references and discuss the sale details of the items offered here for sale.
