Accession Number

984.053.001.001

Description

A brass refracting telescope with celestial and terrestrial drawtubes, the F15 front objective Fraunhofer-type lens with an aperture of 11.5 cm, the focal length of the main barrel 165 cm, the length of the first focusing drawtube 48 cm, the second tube 22 cm, the spotting scope on top 26cm.

Narrative

The telescope was manufactured in France by A. Bardou & Sons of Paris and retailed by A. Fontana, successor to Augustin Chevallier, who manufactured optical and scientific apparatus at his business on Rue de la Bourse between 1837 and 1841. Fontana purchased "Maison Chevallier" from Pierre Queslin in 1898, and in 1902 merged the business with that of Charles Gaggini. This telescope was likely produced in the time between 1898 and 1902, when Fontana marketed himself as successor to A. Chevallier. 

Its hardwood storage box and other eyepieces are part of the accession.

Hon. James Dunsmuir used this telescope on his yacht. The usefulness of such a large telescope on a private watercraft would normally be questionable due to the continuous movement of small boats. But at 218 feet in length, TSSY Dolaura was reasonably stable. It is likely that Mr. Dunsmuir and his friends used it to spot locations with birds and game before setting out for those places in motor launches or canoes. 
 

History of Use

This brass telescope was used by Hon. James Dunsmuir on TSSY Dolaura and at Hatley Park.

Date

circa 1880 – 1890

Dimensions

203 x 13 cm

Material

Metal, brass; Glass

Country of Origin

Republic of France