Description

A three draw brass telescope with a mahogany barrel, the first draw signed, ‘Adie & Son, Edinburgh’.

It measures 9.5 inches long when closed and 29.5 inches fully open with a main lens of just over 1.5″ diameter.

The ray shade is engraved, ‘JOHN ROBERTSON from Lady Glenlyon. Aug 6th, 1840’.

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Anne Murray, Duchess of Atholl (1814 – 1897) and known as Lady Glenlyon between 1839 -46, as the Duchess of Atholl between 1846 – 64 and as the Dowager Duchess of Atholl between 1864 – 97, was a Scottish aristocrat and courtier. For 55 years, she was a close friend of Queen Victoria, who referred to her as ‘the dear Duchess’.

On 29th October 1839 she married George Murray, 2nd Baron Glenlyon, thereby becoming Lady Glenlyon. In 1846, he succeeded his uncle as 6th Duke of Atholl.

She served as Mistress of the Robes to Queen Victoria in 1852. She also served as Lady of the Bedchamber for almost 40 years and was one of Queen Victoria’s closest friends. 

The Duke of Atholl died in 1864, and Anne became the Dowager Duchess of Atholl. 

The Duchess of Atholl died in May 1897, aged 82. The Queen sent her telegrams every two hours during the last hours of her life.

I have been unable to locate John Robertson from this period.

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The telescope gives good clear images and the lenses are damage free.