I received what looks like an antique ship’s spy glass/telescope for Christmas.
It is brass with a worn leather sheath around the main barrel, it telescopes into 3 sections. The total length is about 36" and, though heavy at a few pounds, I guess it is a
handheld unit. The objective seems to be 2". The image is erect and fairly sharp.
The only engraved inscriptions are on the thinnest extension that has in script writing:
"Richardson
London "
("London" is in block letters) written longitudinally and stacked; and near the eyepiece. Away from the eyepiece, are two more pieces of engravings in larger script font written circumferentially:
"Adjustment for Greater Magnification Power" and
"for Day and Night".
A shop card, used for advertising the store, was found in some museum collection. It stated that George Richardson of London was an optical and mathematical instrument maker around 1807-1830. I also discovered elsewhere that at least one of his instruments, an octant, was on the Board of Longitude. Other than this, internet searches have been futile. Any thoughts?
Thanks for your help and Happy New Year,
John
Linear Mode
