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Large Antique Cartographer's Magnifying Glass, English, Library, Optic, Georgian
Sold by London Fine Antiques
sold SA1129334
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
London Fine Antiques

London Fine Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Oct 2010
Browse dealers 947 items
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    Fine antiques curated in england and sold worldwide
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Id #SA1129334
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Large Antique Cartographer's Magnifying Glass, English, Library, Optic, Georgian

18th century
Sold 22 March 2025 · London Fine Antiques
This “Large Antique Cartographer's Magnifying Glass, English, Library, Optic, Georgian” found a buyer.

It was listed by London Fine Antiques. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

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Description

This is a large antique cartographer's magnifying glass. An English, rosewood library magnifier, dating to the Georgian period, circa 1800.

Exceptional Georgian example with a large, bright optic

Displays a desirable aged patina and in good original order

Quality frame presents fine grain interest throughout

Brass mount with rich golden hues

Generous magnification and focus distance

This is a delightful antique cartographer's magnifying glass, with superb proportion and quality magnification of small details. Delivered ready to enjoy.

Dimensions:

Max Width: 15.5cm (6'')

Max Depth: 2.5cm (1'')

Max Length: 33.5cm (13.25'')

Glass Diameter: 11.5cm (4.5'')

Date of Manufacture

London Fine Antiques has dated this Antique Reading Glass to the Georgian era.

Physical Dimensions
Height
33.5cm (13.19")
Width
15.5cm (6.10")
Depth
2.5cm (0.98")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1129334
Dealers Internal Reference
25193
Dealers Notes

What our clients have to say: https://www.londonfine.co.uk/pages/reviews

Description
This is a large antique cartographer's magnifying glass. An English, rosewood library magnifier, dating to the Georgian period, circa 1800.

Exceptional Georgian example with a large, bright optic

Displays a desirable aged patina and in good original order

fig 1. A handheld antique reading glass featuring a circular wooden frame, a turned wooden handle, and a brass connector joint.
fig 1. Large Antique Cartographer's Magnifying Glass, English, Library, Optic, Georgian

Quality frame presents fine grain interest throughout

Brass mount with rich golden hues

Generous magnification and focus distance

“
This is a delightful antique cartographer's magnifying glass, with superb proportion and quality magnification of small details.
London Fine Antiques

Delivered ready to enjoy.

Dimensions:

Max Width: 15.5cm (6'')

Max Depth: 2.5cm (1'')

Max Length: 33.5cm (13.25'')

Glass Diameter: 11.5cm (4.5'')

Date of Manufacture

London Fine Antiques has dated this Antique Reading Glass to the Georgian era.

Height
33.5cm (13.19")
Width
15.5cm (6.10")
Depth
2.5cm (0.98")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1129334
Dealers Internal Ref
25193
London Fine Antiques
London Fine Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Oct 2010

Fine antiques curated in england and sold worldwide

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the London Fine Antiques Profile Page

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A handheld antique reading glass featuring a circular wooden frame, a turned wooden handle, and a brass connector joint. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
1 / 9
Archive I A handheld antique reading glass featuring a circular wooden frame, a turned wooden handle, and a brass connector joint. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

Large Antique Cartographer's Magnifying Glass, English, Library, Optic, Georgian

Archive II A handheld antique reading glass featuring a circular wooden frame, a turned wooden handle, and a brass connector joint. View II
Archive III A handheld antique reading glass featuring a circular wooden frame, a turned wooden handle, and a brass connector joint. View III
Archive IV A handheld antique reading glass featuring a circular wooden frame, a turned wooden handle, and a brass connector joint. View IV
Archive V A handheld antique reading glass featuring a circular wooden frame, a turned wooden handle, and a brass connector joint. View V
Archive VI A handheld antique reading glass featuring a circular wooden frame, a turned wooden handle, and a brass connector joint. View VI
Archive VII A handheld antique reading glass featuring a circular wooden frame, a turned wooden handle, and a brass connector joint. View VII
Archive VIII A handheld antique reading glass featuring a circular wooden frame, a turned wooden handle, and a brass connector joint. View VIII
Archive IX A handheld antique reading glass featuring a circular wooden frame, a turned wooden handle, and a brass connector joint. View IX
Enlarged Archival View
London Fine Antiques

London Fine Antiques
Telephone 0207 1833511
Location
The Antique Village
Hele
Exeter
Devon
EX5 4PW
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/londonfineantiques
Verified Since Oct 2010
Items For Sale 947
Items Sold 5,669
London Fine Antiques
London Fine Antiques
Verified Since Oct 2010
View Dealer Info
Location: The Antique Village, Hele, Exeter, Devon , EX5 4PW, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/londonfineantiques
Verified
Oct 2010
For Sale
947
Sold
5,669
A handheld antique reading glass featuring a circular wooden frame, a turned wooden handle, and a brass connector joint.
Large Antique Cartographer's Magnifying Glass, English, Library, Optic, Georgian
Ref: SA1129334
A handheld antique reading glass featuring a circular wooden frame, a turned wooden handle, and a brass connector joint.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Detail View 6
Detail View 7
Detail View 8
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectMagnifying Glasses
  • Period18th century
  • StyleGeorgian
  • MaterialMahogany, Brass, Glass
  • ColourDark Brown
  • MotifsTurned wooden handle, Brass collar mount, Circular wooden bezel
  • SizeH 33.5 cm (13 in) x W 15.5 cm (6 in) x D 2.5 cm (1 in)

FAQs

Antique reading glasses and magnifiers were essential optical tools used by scholars, cartographers, and readers before the widespread availability of electric lighting and precise prescription lenses. Crafted by optical artisans, these handheld instruments served functional roles in detailed map reading, document examination, and scientific study.

Traditional handheld magnifiers typically feature frames and handles turned from dense hardwoods such as mahogany, rosewood, or oak, often joined with brass collars and mountings. The lenses themselves consist of heavy, hand-cast optical glass with high refractive clarity, frequently set within turned wooden bezels.

Authentic period pieces exhibit characteristics such as hand-blown or hand-cast glass lenses containing minor impurities or air bubbles, hand-turned wooden components showing natural grain variations, and genuine brass fittings displaying appropriate age-related oxidation and wear. Modern reproductions often use machine-extruded plastics, uniform synthetic woods, or artificially distressed finishes.

An antique magnifier functions effectively as a decorative object when placed atop stacks of books, leather-bound volumes, or maps on a desk, coffee table, or bookshelf. Its tactile materials add historical texture and academic character to both traditional and contemporary interior schemes.

Preserve antique optical items by keeping them out of direct sunlight and maintaining stable indoor humidity to protect the wood and brass components. Clean glass lenses gently with a soft microfibre cloth, avoiding harsh chemical cleaners that could damage historical lens coatings or aged metal surfaces.
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