Description

SOLD – A four draw brass telescope with a mahogany barrel, signed on the first draw, ‘T. Harris & Son, London’, and also, ‘Francis Hunter. Master of His Majesty’s Transport Ceres. From J. C. Esten’.

The telescope length when open is 46.5″ (118 cms) and 11.5″ (29 cms) when closed. It has a main lens diameter of 2″ (50 mm) and gives a magnification of 26 x.

Very good condition. The mahogany barrel looks like it has an old repair to a hairline crack but can hardly be seen.

There have been various ships named ‘Ceres’ from 1780 onwards and I have not been able to suitably identify the correct one to link the telescope.

There have been various ‘T. Harris & Son’ companies including Thomas and William which ran from 1802 – 1901. Though the telescope can be dated to pre 1837 (pre Victorian).