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An important & unique Cater Rand's patent military and naval…
Sale Title:
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Melbourne
Date:
25-Oct-2015
Lot No.
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Description:
An important & unique Cater Rand's patent military and naval telescope, circa 1799, Wm. Watkins, St James's Street, London, the mahogany barrel is 109 cm fully extended and relatively 33 cm closed. Mounted on the barrel is a sliding silver plaque bearing a medallion pre-dating the 1801 coat of arms of George III and marked 'the King's Royal patent', the secondary plaque is revealed beneath the initial plaque inscribed 'table for computing Horizontal distance of objects'. The scale of this table is in seconds with numbers at the side from 0 to 60. Applied to the base of the barrel is a third plaque crafted from ivory framed in silver and inscribed M/Gen A. Farrington Ra. General Sir Bart. Anthony Farrington accompanied the Duke of York to Holland in 1799, when General Farrington was Commandant of Woolwich artillery, and the Duke was the commander in chief of the British army. It is possible Farrington was given this instrument in recognition of his services. Catalogue note: This extremely rare instrument is the only one known to have solid silver mounts and Sheffield plate draw tubes. It is believed to have been made for, or to, the order of the Duke of York. The title page of the book, which originally accompanied the telescope has the dedication, 'by Permission to His Royal Highness, the Duke of York, William Watkins, whose signature appears on the last draw of the telescope, was a highly regarded Mathematical instrument maker. He is known to have worked at no. 22 and later at no. 70, St James's Street, London, between 1791-1825. Accompanied by a facsimile copy of the original text produced to explain the way in which the instrument works
Estimate:
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Price:
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Category:
Unclassified