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ANTIQUE #SA929989

Early Victorian Cased Miniature Baleen Telescope By We & F Newton Of Fleet Street

Status: This item has been sold
Sold by: Jason Clarke Antiques

For sale, an early Victorian pocket field telescope with baleen cover and original Morocco leather case by WE & F Newton, Fleet Street, London.
 
This super miniature brass six draw telescope has a one-inch diameter objective lens with a rare red and black striped baleen covered barrel and original brass end cap. The case is covered in original dark red leather with eye hook closers and a red velvet sectioned interior. The contents also include the original stand with barrel clasp and end cap which reveals a threaded screw rather than legs, making it practical for use in the field where it may be screwed down into a tree branch for stability. The set is completed with an additional eye piece lens.
 
The origins of the Newton business can sensibly begin with Nathaniel Hill, a self-described “globe maker and engraver” who worked at The Sun & Globe on Chancery Lane from 1746 to 1764 and amongst a number of apprentices took on a Thomas Bateman. Bateman’s early working dates are unclear but he eventually succeeded his former master maintaining the same address and in turn took on a John Newton from Hitchin as his apprentice in 1774. By 1781 it seems that Bateman’s business had been taken over by Newton (who must have just finished his seven-year apprenticeship term) and another more established engraver, William Palmer. Palmer himself had in 1770, apprenticed another future leading globe maker in John Cary but must have considered the partnership with the newly established Newton (and the goodwill of Bateman’s business) as a sensible business opportunity. The partnership, however, was short lived and from 1783 John Newton according to trade cards was trading alone, presenting himself as successor to Mr T. Bateman.
 
From this point forward, the business became solely a Newton affair, John had a number of sons, but his eldest William succeeded to the globe making business, and in circa 1818 it was renamed as J&W Newton.
 
It is interesting (and historically confusing)...
Antique #SA929989, shown on this page, originates from 1850. For historical context, the timeline below highlights the period when it was made:
1850
Famous inventions historic timeline graphic to help to give historical context to the date of this antique.
CONTACT DETAILS OF SELLER:
JASON CLARKE ANTIQUES PROFILE PHOTO WHICH LINKS TO DEALER PAGE
Jason Clarke Antiques
Berkshire
United Kingdom
STATUS
THIS ITEM HAS BEEN SOLD
HISTORIC TIMELINE OPTIONS

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