Single Opera Glass by Chevalier, with helical focussing, in leather case, Chevalier family, France, 1800-1848. Single Opera Glass by Chevalier 1800-1848
Compound (two lenses) magnifying reading glass with painted silver plated brass body, in cardboard black leather covered cylindrical case, unsigned, European, 1800-1899. Compound magnifying reading glass in leather case 1800-1899
Miniature spyglass telescope with ivory and tortoiseshell tube and incomplete (lid missing) cylindrical fishskin case, unsigned, European, 1776-1800. Miniature spyglass telescope with cylindrical fishskin case 1776-1800
Hand-held Asterioscope in brass mount in red leather morocco case, by Murray and Heath, 43 Piccadilly, London, England, 1850-1880. Consists of fine diffraction grating rulings on glass in rotating frame, thought to be an optical toy in the manner of the kaleidoscope. Asterioscope in leather case 1850-1880
Small reflecting Gregorian telescope, engraved Thomas Ribright, London Fecit, Brass caps both ends. [by J Ribright, in case - see note] Small reflecting Gregorian telescope 1735-1806
Prospect glass (spyglass) telescope with silver-plated metal body, 1-draw metal with shutter lens covers (front one missing) in fishskin case, unsigned, European, 1730-1750. Prospect glass (spyglass) telescope in fishskin case 1730-1780
Miniature folding opera glass (Galilean type), with fob ring and case, by Dollond, London, England, 1800-1850 Miniature folding opera glass in case 1800-1850
Combined pocket folding opera glass and magnifying glass with fob ring in red leather case, unsigned, London, England, hallmarked 1786. Consists of a double objective lens that hinges independently, together they act as an achromatic lens while the front biconvex lens can be used as a hand magnifier. Folding opera glass in leather case 1786
Pair of pocket field binoculars, 'Trieder Binocle' model, x3 power, in velvet lined leather case, by C. P. Goerz, Berlin, Germany, 1910-1926. Supplied by W. Gregory, 51 The Strand, London. Fitted with dual lens focus and side slide intra-ocular adjustment . Pair of field binoculars with case 1910-1926
Large brass framed hand magnifying glass with 12-inch focal length (305mm), in tooled leather case case (incomplete - lid missing), unsigned, German, 1700-1750. Brass magnifying glass in leather case 1750-1750
single opera glass, 1-draw tube, in covered with black fishskin, silver ferrules, darkened ivory lens mounts, unsigned, probably English, c.1730, Single opera glass, 1-draw tube, covered with black fishskin, with case circa 1730
Folding opera glasses, French patent, in purple velvet case, unsigned, Europe, 1850-1950 Folding opera glasses, French patent, in velvet case 1850-1950
Demonstration polariscope, rosewood and ivory frame and handle a with rotating mount containing six mineral crystals samples and oval red leather and wood case with velvet and silk lining, unsigned, British, 1830-1880. Once the property of Sylvanus P Thompson (1851-1916), professor of physics at the City and Guilds Technical College in Finsbury, England. Demonstration polariscope with red leather case. 1830-1880
Quintant made by John Dennett Potter, London, about 1885. Anodized brass diamond-pattern frame, wooden handle. Signed on the limb: J.D. Potter; Poultry & Tower Hill London. Marked at the bottom of the index arm: H O [broad arrow] 10. Inlaid silver scale from -5° to 163° every 10', measuring to 138°. Silver vernier to 10". The tangent screw and clamping screw are on the back of the index arm. Four shades (three grey, one green); three horizon shades (two grey, one green). Index-glass adjustment by screw; adjustment of the horizon glass by capstan screws and a square-headed screw and a detached key. Magnifier on a 90 mm swivelling arm, a frosted glass shade. Threaded telescope bracket in two parts, fitted for correcting collimation error; perpendicular adjustment by rising-piece and a milled knob. Telescope (82 mm) erect image; telescope (184 mm) inverted image, two parallel cross-wires; telescope (155 mm) star finder; extra draw tube (80 mm) inverted image, four cross-wires. Sight-tube (80 mm); three shaded eyepieces (all green); detached threaded telescope bracket for the star finder; adjusting key; adjusting pin. Mahogany keystone box, containing in the lid three certificates of examination of the National Physical Laboratory, for 1885, [illegible, stuck over] and for 1910. The lid also contains a trade label for Cary, Porter Ltd, and a Notice by them explaining how the star finder should be attached to the framed; it was an addition, made by Cary in April 1889. Formerly the property of the Hydrographic Office of the British Admiralty. Diamond- pattern frame quintant with case. 1860-1889