Telescope

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This brass telescope dates from around 1890. Probably made by James Parkes & Son of Birmingham, it was retailed in Edinburgh by scientific instrument makers, Adie & Wedderburn.

The refracting telescope has a single draw. Engraved on the draw tube is 'Adie & Wedderburn/17. Hanover St. /EDINBURGH'.

By the end of the 19th century, it made economic sense to buy in some instruments for resale. Those made by the large Midlands manufacturers, such as Parkes of Birmingham, could be bought in, resold and still make a profit.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-102-782-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1980.247
• Date: Around 1890
  c. 1890
  
• Material: Brass / leather. Inscription: Adie & Wedderburn, / 17. Hanover St, / EDINBURGH
  Telescope, refracting
  
• Dimensions: 62 mm D x 641 mm L (closed)
  
• What: Telescope, refracting
  
• Subject: 22. PHYSICS, Light (Departmental Classification)
  
• Who: Adie and Wedderburn, 17 Hanover Street, Edinburgh (Engraved on telescope)
  Adie and Wedderburn, Edinburgh (Retailer)
  Arthur Frank Collection of Scottish Scientific Instruments
  James Parkes and Son, Birmingham (Probable manufacturer)
  
• Where: England, Warwickshire, Birmingham
  Scotland, Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen
  
• Event:
• Description: 2 1/8" aperture single-draw hand-held refracting telescope in brass with leather covered barrel, by James Parkes and Son, Birmingham, signed by Adie and Wedderburn, Edinburgh, c. 1890
  
• References:
  • Clarke, T.N., Morrison-Low, A.D. & Simpson, A.D.C. Brass & glass scientific instrument making workshops in Scotland as illustrated by instruments from the Arthur Frank Collection at the Royal Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh: NMS, 1989. p 73 
  • T.N. Clarke, A.D. Morrison-Low and A.D.C. Simpson (1989): "Brass and Glass 
• Translations:
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