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A Superb 19th C Telescope, Pocket Sized in Brass and Mahogany.
Sold by Robert Belcher Antiques
sold SA1129651
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
Robert Belcher Antiques

Robert Belcher Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jul 2017
Browse dealers 407 items
  • About Us
    Robert belcher antiques was established in 1984 and is a high quality retailer of interesting, rare antiques and decorative items.
Id #SA1129651
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A Superb 19th C Telescope, Pocket Sized in Brass and Mahogany.

19th century
Sold 14 March 2025 · Robert Belcher Antiques
This “Superb 19th C Telescope, Pocket Sized in Brass and Mahogany” found a buyer.

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

Description

This splendid Victorian polished brass three draw telescope is beautifully finished with a richly veneered and polished mahogany main barrel. All the other sections are in polished solid brass, with the eyepiece having a sliding brass cover and the front lens a removable brass cap.

This very tactile pocket telescope or spotting scope would have been most likely used by a naturalist watching birds and mammals.

Its small size makes it ideal for storing in a pocket or small bag.

The scope is in very good original condition with no dents or damage, and the optics still work well, producing a nice close up view.

English, circa 1880

Sizes when open: Height 3.2cm x width 42cm x depth 3.2cm

Sizes when closed: Height 3.2cm x width 16cm x depth 3.2cm

Physical Dimensions
Height
3.2cm (1.26")
Width
42cm (16.54")
Depth
3.2cm (1.26")
Declaration

Robert Belcher Antiques has dated this Antique Brass Telescope to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1129651
Dealers Notes

Robert Belcher Antiques was established in 1984 and is a high-quality retailer of interesting, rare antiques and decorative objects. After forty years of shop keeping and maintaining beautiful showrooms, which have been regularly open six days a week, Robert and Wendy have now taken a slightly different approach to their business. Having sold their retail premises, the antique business is now fully online. The picture framing service has ceased to operate because of moving online.

You can contact Robert and Wendy by email or telephone to discuss items from their extensive catalogue of attractive pieces and make purchases. Customers can rest assured that the long-established dealership is continuing to run in an exceedingly professional way, selling genuine and high-quality items which are guaranteed to please the most discerning collector, decorator or homeowner.

All items will be personally hand packaged to a high standard. Small items are extensively wrapped using the best materials and are often double boxed. Items are then shipped with DHL or Royal Mail fully insured and often with next day delivery. Larger items would be personally delivered or sent with a specialist antique delivery firm, or for outside the U.K, a professional shipping company.

Please enjoy viewing their collection of rare and interesting pieces and have the assurance that Robert and Wendy will do their utmost to make sure your experience is exceptional, as has been recognised by many customers who have bought with confidence regularly over the years.

Contact details

Email: robertbelcherantiques@gmail.com

Telephone: 01905 622468

Mobile 07929 011224

07720 607007

Website: https://www.robertbelcherantiques.co.uk

Instagram: robertbelcherantiques

Description
This splendid Victorian polished brass three draw telescope is beautifully finished with a richly veneered and polished mahogany main barrel.
“
All the other sections are in polished solid brass, with the eyepiece having a sliding brass cover and the front lens a removable brass cap.
Robert Belcher Antiques
fig 1. An extended antique brass telescope with a mahogany-wrapped barrel and a matching lens cap resting on a neutral surface.
fig 1. A Superb 19th C Telescope, Pocket Sized in Brass and Mahogany.

This very tactile pocket telescope or spotting scope would have been most likely used by a naturalist watching birds and mammals.

Its small size makes it ideal for storing in a pocket or small bag.

The scope is in very good original condition with no dents or damage, and the optics still work well, producing a nice close up view.

English, circa 1880

Sizes when open: Height 3.2cm x width 42cm x depth 3.2cm

Sizes when closed: Height 3.2cm x width 16cm x depth 3.2cm

Height
3.2cm (1.26")
Width
42cm (16.54")
Depth
3.2cm (1.26")
Date of Manufacture

Robert Belcher Antiques has dated this Antique Brass Telescope to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1129651
Robert Belcher Antiques
Robert Belcher Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Jul 2017

Robert belcher antiques was established in 1984 and is a high quality retailer of interesting, rare antiques and decorative items.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Robert Belcher Antiques Profile Page

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An extended antique brass telescope with a mahogany-wrapped barrel and a matching lens cap resting on a neutral surface. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
1 / 16
Archive I An extended antique brass telescope with a mahogany-wrapped barrel and a matching lens cap resting on a neutral surface. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

A Superb 19th C Telescope, Pocket Sized in Brass and Mahogany.

Archive II An extended antique brass telescope with a mahogany-wrapped barrel and a matching lens cap resting on a neutral surface. View II
Archive III An extended antique brass telescope with a mahogany-wrapped barrel and a matching lens cap resting on a neutral surface. View III
Archive IV An extended antique brass telescope with a mahogany-wrapped barrel and a matching lens cap resting on a neutral surface. View IV
Archive V An extended antique brass telescope with a mahogany-wrapped barrel and a matching lens cap resting on a neutral surface. View V
Archive VI An extended antique brass telescope with a mahogany-wrapped barrel and a matching lens cap resting on a neutral surface. View VI
Archive VII An extended antique brass telescope with a mahogany-wrapped barrel and a matching lens cap resting on a neutral surface. View VII
Archive VIII An extended antique brass telescope with a mahogany-wrapped barrel and a matching lens cap resting on a neutral surface. View VIII
Archive IX An extended antique brass telescope with a mahogany-wrapped barrel and a matching lens cap resting on a neutral surface. View IX
Archive X An extended antique brass telescope with a mahogany-wrapped barrel and a matching lens cap resting on a neutral surface. View X
Archive XI An extended antique brass telescope with a mahogany-wrapped barrel and a matching lens cap resting on a neutral surface. View XI
Archive XII An extended antique brass telescope with a mahogany-wrapped barrel and a matching lens cap resting on a neutral surface. View XII
Archive XIII An extended antique brass telescope with a mahogany-wrapped barrel and a matching lens cap resting on a neutral surface. View XIII
Archive XIV An extended antique brass telescope with a mahogany-wrapped barrel and a matching lens cap resting on a neutral surface. View XIV
Archive XV An extended antique brass telescope with a mahogany-wrapped barrel and a matching lens cap resting on a neutral surface. View XV
Archive XVI An extended antique brass telescope with a mahogany-wrapped barrel and a matching lens cap resting on a neutral surface. View XVI
Enlarged Archival View
Location
Worcestershire
United Kingdom

By appointment only.
Verified Since Jul 2017
Items For Sale 407
Items Sold 679
Robert Belcher Antiques
Robert Belcher Antiques
Verified Since Jul 2017
View Dealer Info
Location: Worcestershire, United Kingdom, , By appointment only.
Verified
Jul 2017
For Sale
407
Sold
679
An extended antique brass telescope with a mahogany-wrapped barrel and a matching lens cap resting on a neutral surface.
A superb 19th C telescope, pocket sized in brass and mahogany.
Ref: SA1129651
An extended antique brass telescope with a mahogany-wrapped barrel and a matching lens cap resting on a neutral surface.
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Archival Detail
Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.
Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.
Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.
Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectScientific Instruments
  • Period19th century
  • StyleVictorian Maritime
  • MaterialBrass, Mahogany, Glass
  • ColourPolished Brass and Warm Brown
  • MotifsCollapsible draw tubes, Knurled focus ring, Wood barrel sleeve, Threaded lens cap
  • SizeH 3.2 cm (1 in) x W 42 cm (17 in) x D 3.2 cm (1 in)

Portable brass telescopes, often called spyglasses, became widely produced during the 18th and 19th centuries for use by naval officers, maritime travellers, and land surveyors requiring compact optical instruments.

These instruments were typically constructed from polished brass for the draw tubes and lens fittings, often paired with a wooden barrelfrequently mahoganywrapped around the main body to provide a secure grip and aesthetic contrast.

Authentic period telescopes often feature hand-engraved maker signatures near the eyepiece, multi-draw extension tubes with threaded collars, and natural patination on the brass and wood surfaces indicative of age.

Such pieces fit well in study or library settings, displayed on bookshelves, desks, or mantels as part of a curated collection of historical artefacts and scientific curiosities.

Keep brass and wood surfaces clean with a soft, dry microfiber cloth, avoiding abrasive metal polishes that can strip the natural oxidisation and historical patina from the metal.
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