Kaiser Wilhelm I – a telescope in a presentation box as a gift to aBritish lighthouse keeper, dated 1877The telescope with nickel-silver fittings and a black leather wrapping (imperfections), the eyepiece almost clear(!), removable, nickel-silver lens cover. Presented to the British lighthouse keeper "J. Dick" in recognition of his assistance to the stranded vessel "Madagascar" in 1877 off "Noschima" (Noshima, Imabari, Ehime Prefecture, Japan).In the original brown wooden case containing the made-to-measure telescope inserts, padded with black velvet. An oval brass cartouche inset in the lid, inscribed with the dedication (tr.) "We, Wilhelm by God's Grace German Kaiser, King of Prussia present J. Dick, employed at the lighthouse in Noshima, with this recognition for his assistance on the occasion of the stranding of the German ship 'Madagascar' in the month of July 1877". The key to the case has been lost, fractures in the wood here and there. Slightly damaged in places, signs of age. Length of the telescope approx. 60 cm. Dimensions of the case 14 x 64.5 x 8 cm.Also enclosed is a postcard with the English translation of the dedication and a letter addressed to "Monsieur le Ministre" in Tokyo on 8 May 1878 and a letter from the British Consul in Kanagawa dated 26 September 1878 to "Joseph Dick" at the "Imperial Japanese Lighthouse Department". Exceptionally high-ranking gift with an interesting history. Condition: II