MILLS (MAKER) 49 SOUTHAMPTON ST, PENTONVILLE, LONDON, IMPROVED NAVY Cased, British Improved Navy Brass & Leather Harbour Master’s & Customs Telescop Spotting Scopes

IMPRESSIVE, LARGE, C1850 Cased, British Improved Navy Brass & Leather Harbour Master’s & Customs Telescope By Mills 49 Southampton Street Pentonville London With Original Teak Tri-Pod & Accessories. Sn 11086 - 11086

In 1844 Robert Mills began business at 49 Southampton Street, Pentonville Road, London making high quality telescopes and other optical instruments. The business was continued by his wife Harriet and his young sons after his death until at least 1861. In 1873 The business was sold to Alexander Thomas Clarkson and was listed as 'Clarkson, A., 49 Southampton street, Pentonville. In 1892 Robert Henry Broadhurst went into partnership with Clarkson and in 1915 the business was listed at Farringdon Road and beacame the famous 'Broadhurst, Clarkson and Co, telescope makers'. The company produced very high quality astronomical telescopes from 2-inch to 6-inch (5cm to 15.2cm) in diameter. During WWI, between 1914 and 1918, as part of the war effort, the company set up further telescope factories in Watford, and a lens-making facility in central London producing optical instruments for the British War Dept. This is an impressive British Improved Navy Brass & Leather Harbour Master’s & Customs Telescope by Mills of 49 Southampton Street Pentonville with original Teak tri-pod, case and accessories made C1850. The optics of the telescope are excellent and clear. It has a 3” diameter objective lens with its original protective brass cap. When mounted in its extended position it is 59” in length. The telescope is leather bound and retains its original illustrated signals chart. The brass draw of the scope is beautifully engraved near to the eye piece ‘MILLS (MAKER) 49 SOUTHAMPTON ST, PENTONVILLE, LONDON, IMPROVED NAVY’. The telescope is mounted on its original heavy Teak and brass tripod. When extended the tripod is 44” between each foot and it holds the telescope by means of a bracket at 64”. The telescope rotates freely 360 degrees and focuses easily. When not in use the telescope fits into it’s original heavy wooden locker which has contoured wood blocks to fit the telescope and accessories which include, spare lenses, tubes, a brass compass with hinged lid and lanyard ring by ‘Gorchfock Hamburg’’ and a brass wall spike which enables the scope to be mounted for use without tripod. The case has a hinged lid, brass hook fasteners and carry handles. This full size, Coastal telescope complete with case, tripod and accessories is a must for any serious collector of Optical instruments. Delivery of this large item within the UK will be arranged at cost. Sn 11086

£1,250.00