DESCRIPTION: Early 19th Century day or night telescope by renowned maker Thomas Harris & Son of London, circa 1820. Two-draw brass telescope with mahogany barrel. Protective sliding brass covers to eyepiece and objective lens. Engraved “Harris & Son London Day or Night� to first draw. Day or night telescopes were commonly used on board ship. As the name suggests, they could also be used at night because they had relatively large objective lenses to collect the maximum amount of light. Telescopes of this kind, marketed as “Day or Night,� were particularly valuable to watch officers stationed on deck at night. Closed length is 15 1/4". Fully drawn length is 36".

Thomas Harris originally established his firm in 1780 based at 9 and 22 Cornhill, London. He brought his son William into the firm in 1806 to form T Harris & Son. The company had a royal appointment to the Prince Regent in 1819 and to King George IV in 1820. T Harris & Son were known as opticians and makers of globes, mathematical instruments, and telescopes.
CIRCA: 1820
ORIGIN: England
DIMENSIONS: Closed length is 15 1/4". Fully drawn length is 36".
CONDITION: With visible signs of use and age
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