Telescope (detail)

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This is a detail of a reflecting telescope made in 1735, probably by James Short (1710-68), a scientific instrument maker based in Edinburgh.

The detail shows the inscription on the telescope's mirror retention plate. It reads 'JAMES SHORT EDINBURGH 1735'.

James Short produced over 1300 reflecting telescopes, sold to observatories and customers all over the world. He never took an assistant and his self-taught skill died a secret with him.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-001-014-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1893.452
• Date: 1735
  
• Material: Speculum metal and brass tripod stand
  Telescope, gregorian
  
• Dimensions: 26.00" L
  
• What: Telescope, gregorian
  
• Subject: 3. ASTRONOMY, Reflecting telescopes (Departmental Classification)
  22. PHYSICS, Light (Departmental Classification)
  
• Who: Gregory (Eponym)
  James Short, Edinburgh (Maker)
  
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: Gregorian telescope having a metallic speculum of parabolic figure and two eye pieces, made by James Short of Edinburgh in 1735, on a brass tripod stand
  
• References:
  • Bryden, D. J., James Short and his Telescope. Edinburgh: 1968, pp 14-5 
• Translations:
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