Description
A fine and rare Culpeper-type compound monocular signed “Wm. Harris & Co., 50 Holborn, LONDON & Hamburg(h)”sic.
Custom order with brass bound corners to the base (export?). Full sized (15 inch) with pull out drawer and a near complete compliment of accessories (sans stage bullseye and one objective). 90% original lacquer, exquisite diagonal roping of the brass and original trade label in door of the pryramidal case measuring 16 x 7 x 7 inches at the base. Original hinges and lock (no key-will search).
Faults: slight loss of silvering to mirror, 3 teeth missing from the rack at bottom but engages above this area of bad repair attempt, small corner loss from rear of case.
In 40 years of collecting/dealing, I have NEVER seen this base modification (brass bound) nor this address.
William Harris and Co. existed at 50 Holborn for over 20 years (1816-1839) and employed a Mr.W. Campbell in Hamburg, Germany (note old English spelling error on stage and trade label). Major fire in Hamburg in 1842 may have ended this alliance of trade (c.1820).
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Dealer information
ScientificaOpticae
Scientifica Opticae
Mark Hacking (Scientifica Opticae Inc.) has been an avid collector/dealer for over 30 years. A former Science teacher, he has an innate love for anything natural or mechanical. Specializing in optical (microscopes, telescopes), surveying, medical, weighing and drawing instruments, he is an active participant of the Scientific Instrument Fair in London. Living in Stratford, Ontario, Canada, with his wife and two children; Mark looks forward to meeting as many fellow collectors as possible, and has a worldwide following on eBay (Sciopti).