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THBFrancis Watkins 24-Inch Brass Telescope on Stand, London, 18th C.
About Seller
4310 Papermill Dr. NW
Knoxville, TN 37909
United States
Case Auctions is based in Knoxville, Tennessee, where our gallery is located, with satellite offices in Nashville, Tennessee and Kingsport, TN – but our reach is worldwide. Established in 2005, we conduct cataloged auctions of investment-quality art and antiques under the stewardship of knowledgeabl...Read more
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About Auction
LiveJul 6, 2024
Our July 6-7 Live Auction in Knoxville features more than 1,000 lots of Fine Art, Antiques and Jewelry from the founding family of Rogersville, TN, and from the historic Pinckney family of Charleston, SC; from the estate of William J. Eskind of Nashville; the living estate of Jerry Waters, Maryville, the estate of U.S. Ambassador Ron Schlicher of Brentwood, and from other fine estates and private and museum collections. Sale starts 9 AM Eastern Time on Saturday, July 6 (lots #1-671) and continues at 1 PM Sunday, July 7 (lots #672-1086) at our Knoxville Gallery, 4310 Papermill Drive. Case Auctions bid@caseantiques.com
View Full Catalog (670)
- Lot Description
Francis Watkins (1723 -1791) brass reflecting telescope with a 23 1/2” primary tube, 4 1/2" eyepiece extension tube, and 9" sighting tube with crosshairs; sliding screw rod focusing apparatus attaches to a polished speculum secondary mirror; adjusts with brass vertical adjustment gear wheel and thumbscrews; raised on an octagonal baluster column supported by three folding legs. Inscribed "Fra. Watkins Charing Cross London." Overall 28" length, 21 1/2" height (measured while horizontal). Historical Note: Francis Watkins' telescopes are associated with 18th c. British explorer James Cook, who in 1769 took an 18" Watkins telescope on his voyage to the Pacific to make astronomical observations including the Transit of Venus from Tahiti. Watkins apprenticed as an optician, eventually opening his own business in 1747 in London at 5 Charing Cross. Under the sign "Isaac Newton's Head" he produced various instruments with ground glass lenses. According to a 1763 advertisement, these included "Reading Glasses, [a] Great Variety of single, double and Solar Microscopes, Reflecting and Refracting Telescopes, of all Lengths and Sizes; Opera Glasses, Concave and Convex Mirrors of all Sizes, Book and Box Cameras of all Dimensions, all Sorts of Barometers and Thermometers, also Hydrometers, Hydrostatic Balances, air Pumps, and all other Optical and Philosophical Instruments."
Condition
Excellent overall condition, functions smoothly; small 1/4" indentation to bottom of main tube; rear primary mirror dirty with disuse obscuring clear viewing.
- Shipping Info
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The UPS Store of Bearden 865-584-0081 (press 5), fax 865-584-0094 store2630@theupsstore.com
The UPS Store of Northshore Knoxville Contact – Eve 865-951-2499 store6461@theupsstore.com
John & Max Express LLC NOTE: large items & white glove delivery services only (driving range limitations may apply) Contact – Dina 865-230-1568 johnmaxexpress@gmail.com
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