Telescope (detail)

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This is a detail of a telescope made around 1850 by Thomas Morton, a carpet machinery maker and scientific instrument maker based in Kilmarnock in East Ayrshire.

The detail shows the maker's signature engraved on the reflecting telescope's end plate. It reads 'Thos. Morton / KILMARNOCK'.

Thomas Morton's main occupation was as a carpet machinery manufacturer. This allowed him access to materials and tools with which to construct his telescopes.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-001-055-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1974.97
• Date: Around 1850
  c. 1850
  
• Material: Brass barrel, mahogany plate, iron base, with brass feet. Inscription: Thos. Morton / KILMARNOCK
  Telescope, reflecting
  
• Dimensions: 430 mm H x 780 mm L x 330 mm D
  
• What: Telescope, reflecting
  
• Subject: 3. ASTRONOMY, Reflecting telescopes (Departmental Classification)
  22. PHYSICS, Light (Departmental Classification)
  
• Who: Thomas Morton, Kilmarnock (Maker)
  
• Where: Scotland, Ayrshire, Kilmarnock
  
• Event:
• Description: Gregorian reflecting telescope, signed by Thomas Morton of Kilmarnock, c. 1850
  
• 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 188-194 
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