Refracting telescope on portable stand, 1800-1825

Made:
1800-1825 in London
maker:
W and S Jones
Refracting telescope of 3 1/4 inch aperture and 48 inch focal

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Refracting telescope of 3 1/4 inch aperture and 48 inch focal
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Refracting telescope of 3 1/4 inch aperture and 48 inch focal length by W & S Jones on an altazimuth tripod stand with a mahogany case. Accessories include, 6 eyepieces (5 astronomical & 1 terrestrial), a hook arm and finder telescope.

Dated to the first quarter of the nineteenth century, this brass telescope was made by the London instrument maker partnership of W & S Jones. The instrument has a 3 ¼-inch aperture main lens and is carried on a yoke mounting with a claw-foot tripod base. To aid the location of objects under study, the telescope is provided with a smaller finder telescope. It is also fitted with a pair of nested drawtube arms to steady the telescope whilst it is moved or stationary. Likewise, an instrument of this sort would have required at a table or other suitably stable base. A telescope this quality would have only been affordable to wealthy individual who had an interest in astronomy.

Details

Category:
Astronomy
Object Number:
1911-277
Materials:
complete, brass (copper, zinc alloy), glass and mahogany (wood)
Measurements:
overall (estimate): 900 x 1250 x 450 mm
type:
telescope - refracting
credit:
J.C. Stevens Auction House