Extremely rare and important boxed lifesaving presentation telescope, signed on the drawtube by the maker "Troughton & Simms, London."
InformationExtremely rare and important boxed lifesaving presentation telescope, signed on the drawtube by the maker "Troughton & Simms, London." The telescope has the engraved presentation on the drawtube: "Presented by the British Government to Captain Elkanah Crowell Junr., Master of the Barquantine C.E. Resenburg of Barnstable, Mass. in acknowledgement of his humanity and kindness to the master and crew of the brigantine "Brisk" of Halifax, N.S., whom he rescued from their sinking vessel on the 29th October, 1865." The telescope has a 1 3/4 inch lens and is in excellent operating condition. The telescope and lens cap are nickel plated which was a special order and often selected material for special presentation pieces. The telescope has a sliding sun shade and retains the original dark slide on the eye piece. The barrel retains its original leather wrap. The telescope retains its original mahogany dovetail box. The top of the box has a rectangular inlaid silver plaque with cutoff corners. The plaque is beautifully engraved with fancy script,"Captain E. Crowell, Junr." The box retains its original brass catches on the front as well as the original lock . (1 1022)
Note 1: Lifesaving presentation telescopes are very rare and this may well be the only example given to a Cape Cod sea captain. The quality of this instrument and box is of the highest level.
Condition: The telescope and box have an untouched mellow patina and are in remarkably fine condition. Every element of the telescope and box are original and complete.
Dimensions of box: Length 27 7/8; Depth 3 3/4 inches; Height 3 inches. Dimensions of telescope: Collapsed 26 1/4 inches
Note 2: The British brig Brisk of Halifax, Nova Scotia from Cardenas to New York with a cargo of sugar was dismasted in a gale, lat. 33, long 78 +/-. Spoken by the [barquentine] Chas. E. Rosenburg (307 tons, built Conneaut, Ohio, 1864), of Barnstable, prev. of Buffalo, NY, Crowell, master, from Jacksonville, FL, registered as a barque, variously reported barquentine and schooner; returned captain and crew to New York, November 6.
