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ID #SA1242845
FOR SALE
£1,250
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Brass Telescope with an Original Folding Brass Tripod Stand. English Circa 1860
For sale by Robert Belcher Antiques
for sale €1,463     $1,588
£1,250
Robert Belcher Antiques

Robert Belcher Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jul 2017
Browse dealers 406 items
  • About Us
    Robert belcher antiques was established in 1984 and is a high quality retailer of interesting, rare antiques and decorative items.
Id #SA1242845
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Brass Telescope with an Original Folding Brass Tripod Stand. English Circa 1860

19th century
Description

This fine and very rare small scale brass telescope is a delightful piece of Victorian engineering with quality optics.

The telescope has a fixed barrel with an unusual focusing mechanism at the eyepiece where there is a large adjustment ring which accurately opens and closes a small section to focus the telescope.

This action works very well and is a great improvement to other examples which simply manually pull backward and forwards, which can make focusing difficult.

This small telescope comes with its original fixed table top tripod, which is fully folding for travel purposes. The tripod has three folding legs, a telescopic mid section for comfortable height adjustment and a pivoting centre for adjusting the telescope to different angles.

The optics are clear and work well.

This fine telescope is very decorative with its small compact size, which makes it desirable for display on a desk or table.

A most unusual piece in very good condition.

English, circa 1860

Dimensions: maximum height on extended tripod 46cm

Lowest height on lowered tripod 33cm

Length of telescope 43cm

Diameter of front removable cover 6.5cm

Width of tripod legs when open: 18cm

FREE UK MAINLAND DELIVERY

Date of Manufacture

Robert Belcher Antiques has dated this Victorian Brass Tabletop Telescope to the 1860s.

Physical Dimensions
Height
46cm (18.11")
Width
43cm (16.93")
Depth
18cm (7.09")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1242845
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 fine and very rare small scale brass telescope is a delightful piece of Victorian engineering with quality optics.
“
The telescope has a fixed barrel with an unusual focusing mechanism at the eyepiece where there is a large adjustment ring which accurately opens and closes a small section to focus the telescope.
Robert Belcher Antiques
fig 1. A Victorian brass tabletop telescope mounted on an adjustable folding brass tripod stand.
fig 1. Brass Telescope with an Original Folding Brass Tripod Stand. English Circa 1860

This action works very well and is a great improvement to other examples which simply manually pull backward and forwards, which can make focusing difficult.

This small telescope comes with its original fixed table top tripod, which is fully folding for travel purposes. The tripod has three folding legs, a telescopic mid section for comfortable height adjustment and a pivoting centre for adjusting the telescope to different angles.

fig 2. A Victorian brass tabletop telescope mounted on an adjustable folding brass tripod stand.
fig 2. Brass Telescope with an Original Folding Brass Tripod Stand. English Circa 1860

The optics are clear and work well.

This fine telescope is very decorative with its small compact size, which makes it desirable for display on a desk or table.

A most unusual piece in very good condition.

fig 3. A Victorian brass tabletop telescope mounted on an adjustable folding brass tripod stand.
fig 3. Brass Telescope with an Original Folding Brass Tripod Stand. English Circa 1860

English, circa 1860

Dimensions: maximum height on extended tripod 46cm

Lowest height on lowered tripod 33cm

Length of telescope 43cm

Diameter of front removable cover 6.5cm

Width of tripod legs when open: 18cm

FREE UK MAINLAND DELIVERY

Date of Manufacture

Robert Belcher Antiques has dated this Victorian Brass Tabletop Telescope to the 1860s.

Height
46cm (18.11")
Width
43cm (16.93")
Depth
18cm (7.09")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1242845
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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A Victorian brass tabletop telescope mounted on an adjustable folding brass tripod stand.
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Archive I A Victorian brass tabletop telescope mounted on an adjustable folding brass tripod stand.

Brass Telescope with an Original Folding Brass Tripod Stand. English Circa 1860

Archive II A Victorian brass tabletop telescope mounted on an adjustable folding brass tripod stand. View II
Archive III A Victorian brass tabletop telescope mounted on an adjustable folding brass tripod stand. View III
Archive IV A Victorian brass tabletop telescope mounted on an adjustable folding brass tripod stand. View IV
Archive V A Victorian brass tabletop telescope mounted on an adjustable folding brass tripod stand. View V
Archive VI A Victorian brass tabletop telescope mounted on an adjustable folding brass tripod stand. View VI
Archive VII A Victorian brass tabletop telescope mounted on an adjustable folding brass tripod stand. View VII
Archive VIII A Victorian brass tabletop telescope mounted on an adjustable folding brass tripod stand. View VIII
Archive IX A Victorian brass tabletop telescope mounted on an adjustable folding brass tripod stand. View IX
Archive X A Victorian brass tabletop telescope mounted on an adjustable folding brass tripod stand. View X
Archive XI A Victorian brass tabletop telescope mounted on an adjustable folding brass tripod stand. View XI
Archive XII A Victorian brass tabletop telescope mounted on an adjustable folding brass tripod stand. View XII
Archive XIII A Victorian brass tabletop telescope mounted on an adjustable folding brass tripod stand. View XIII
Archive XIV A Victorian brass tabletop telescope mounted on an adjustable folding brass tripod stand. View XIV
Archive XV A Victorian brass tabletop telescope mounted on an adjustable folding brass tripod stand. View XV
Enlarged Archival View
Location
Worcestershire
United Kingdom

By appointment only.
Verified Since Jul 2017
Items For Sale 406
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
406
Sold
679
A Victorian brass tabletop telescope mounted on an adjustable folding brass tripod stand.
Brass telescope with an original folding brass tripod stand. English circa 1860
Ref: SA1242845
A Victorian brass tabletop telescope mounted on an adjustable folding brass tripod stand.
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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
  • MaterialBrass, Optical Glass
  • ColourBrass
  • MotifsFolding tripod legs, Knurled thumbscrews, Drawn brass barrel, Lens cap cover
  • SizeH 46 cm (18 in) x W 43 cm (17 in) x D 18 cm (7 in)

This Victorian scientific instrument is an English brass tabletop telescope dating from 1860, supplied with its original folding brass tripod stand. The piece employs drawn brass barrels, knurled adjustment thumbscrews, and a concentric ring lens cap cover. The entire assembly measures 46 cm high by 43 cm wide and 18 cm deep, constructed entirely from brass with a polished metallic finish. Position this piece on a desk or table within a study or home office, where the adjustable folding tripod legs allow for height and angle modifications to suit the user. The optical system delivers clear magnification through a pivoting centre and a telescopic mid-section, providing a functional desktop viewing instrument that remains compact for relocation.

During the mid-to-late nineteenth century, desktop refractors were produced in significant numbers across Great Britain for celestial mapping and terrestrial observation. These instruments served both practical scientific purposes and as displays of educational status within private study spaces.

Scientific instruments of this era were primarily constructed using hand-drawn brass tubing, cast brass mounts, and ground glass optical lenses. Internal components often featured blackened brass to minimise reflection.

Authentic period pieces feature hand-cut screw threads, original lacquer wear, precise knurling on adjustment screws, and optical glass mounted in screwed brass cells. Maker marks, location engravings, or serial numbers are frequently stamped into the main draw tube or barrel.

Scientific instruments function well as functional focal points on wooden executive desks, deep window sills, or within dark oak bookshelves. Placing the object alongside leather-bound books, globe maps, or architectural drawings complements classic design schemes.

Dust should be removed using a clean, soft microfibre cloth without applying liquid metal cleaners, which can strip historic lacquer and original surface patina. Glass lenses require dedicated optical cleaning solutions applied sparingly with lens tissue.
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