Add to albumThis brass telescope dates from around 1840. It was retailed by Antoni Galletti, a Glasgow-based scientific instrument maker who originated from Milan and emigrated to Scotland in the late 18th century.
The hand-held refracting telescope has a wooden barrel and three draws. It is engraved on the first draw tube 'A. Galletti/ Glasgow'. The barrel is inscribed 'Graham/ Printer', for John Graham, the probable owner, who had premises close to Galletti's.
From the late 18th century, immigrant Italians arrived in Britain in some numbers. The particular trades they brought with them were glass-blowing and carving and gilding, which extended naturally into looking-glass and barometer manufacture.
Record details
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- Online ID: 000-100-102-786-C
- Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
- Project:
National Museums Scotland
Project description View all records in project
- Ref: National Museums Scotland T.1980.252
- Date: Around 1840
c. 1840
- Material: Brass / wood. Inscription: A. Galletti / Glasgow ; Graham, / Printer.
Telescope, refracting
- Dimensions: 46 mm D x 240 mm L (closed)
- What: Telescope, refracting
- Subject: 22. PHYSICS, Light (Departmental Classification)
- Who: A. Galletti (Maker)
A. Galletti, Glasgow (Engraved on telescope)
Arthur Frank Collection of Scottish Scientific Instruments
Graham, Printer (Engraved on telescope)
- Where: Scotland, Lanarkshire, Glasgow
- Event:
- Description: 1 1/2" aperture 3-draw hand-held refracting telescope in brass with wooden barrel, signed by A. Galletti of Glasgow, c. 1840
- 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. pp 205-7
- T.N. Clarke, A.D. Morrison-Low and A.D.C. Simpson (1989): "Brass and Glass
- Translations:
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