Telescope 19th Century by Watson & Sons London 1869-72 Start Price USD 2,900.00 Current Price USD 2,900.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Saturday, June 28, 2008 End Time Tuesday, July 08, 2008 Location Waiwera, Orewa See more about 'Telescope 19th Century by Watson & Sons London 1869-72' Description This beautiful 19th century telescope by Watson & Sons of 313A High Holborn St. London is shown in Directory of British Scientific Instrument Makers 1550 to 1851 by Gloria Clifton as being at this address from 1869 - 1872.  The Watson Family had been making telescopes since mid 18th century at different addresses. There is great New Zealand Provenance on this telescope as was on the front cover of the New Zealand Times December 22,1985. In that picture stands the owner & his inherited telescope. I will include to purchaser this New Zealand Times Front Page article.   The article goes on to say "Sir Guy Powles was New Zealand's first ombudsman, was only a boy of 5 years old "up past my bedtime “when in 1910 he was invited to his grandfather's room to look out at Halley's Comet. It filled the northeast quarter of the sky, rather like an aurora.  Grandfather Charles Powles, a notable Wellington, NZ accountant and keen amateur astronomer, turned to his grandson and said: "Well little boy next time you see that you'll be an old man." This brass instrument on its original tripod is in like new condition though there are a few bumps along its 130 + year life.  The optics are in excellent shape possibly made by Dollond as the best optics provider in London at that time. The original tripod is adjustable by spreading the legs further apart normal height would be about 65 inches. The scope itself is 38 inches closed and with rack and pinion fully extended and erecting lens tube (changes from astronomical to terrestrial) attached adds another 151/2 inches to overall length. The lense diameter is 31/2 inches.  There are three sunshades and two higher magnification lenses pieces. The star finder scope also has excellant optics.   Ask as many questions as you like and I will send you more pictures if you like.         Place a Bid!