Large brass telescope by Carl Kellner, Wetzlar, with original stand, telescope signed “Carl Kellner in Wetzlar”. Lens front diameter 56 mm (equivalent to ca. 26 Paris lines).Literature Christine Belz-Hensoldt, Carl Kellners Briefe an Moritz Hensoldt, 2007, p. 576.

In 1849 Carl Kellner founded his “Optical Institute” in Wetzlar. At first he mainly designed astronomical oculars and telescopes, later also microscopes. Kellner prematurely died in 1855. At first his successors Rexroth, Belthle and LEITZ operated under the name and also marked their products “Carl Kellner’s Successors”, while instruments just marked “Carl Kellner” from the very early period are extremely rare and almost impossible to find today. In the sales records of Kellner, the earliest case of a telescope with stand is documented on November 25, 1852. The present telescope is the earliest known example of a product from the workshop which turned into the Leitz Company in 1869 – a historically significant piece from the earliest time of Cars Kellner’s Optical Institute, and presumably unique.

For this items, if sold and/or shipped within the E.C. the premium is 27,37% (including VAT) plus 19% VAT on the hammer price (in total 46,37%)

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