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Telescope (detail)

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probably made in Edinburgh

Postcard of Telescope (detail).
000-190-001-014-C
© National Museums Scotland

Telescope (detail)

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: 0098: 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
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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