SOLD Excellent example of an antique library telescope made by W. S. Jones London, in the first half of the 19th century. The telescope has a 29-in. tapered tube with rack focusing and single-draw eye piece, sitting on a central pedestal and snake foot tripod base, folded in a mahogany box with an additional two eyepieces (one terrestrial one astronomical), box length. 30 3/4 in. W. and S. Jones were one of the most successful scientific instrument makers in London during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. William Jones (1763–1831) was an English maker of optical and other scientific instruments. He later formed a partnership with his younger brother Samuel Jones. In 1797, Jones introduced the box sextant or 'pocket sextant' for nautical navigation, an early marvel of mechanical miniaturization. They worked at 135 Holborn London from 1792 to 1800, and at 30 Holborn from 1800 to 1860.The condition of the telescope is excellent with good image. Some wear and tear due to the age. One ding on the main barrel and the mahogany box has a few cracks and is warped due to the age.The object lens dust cover is missing.
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