4-INCH REFRACTING BRASS TELESCOPE, BY JOHN A. BRASHEAR CO. LTD., PITTSBURGH
CIRCA 1890
£5,250
Auction: 5 September 2018 at 11:00 BST
Description
marked JOHN A. BRASHEAR CO. LTD./ PITTSBURGH/ PA/ U.S.A., with a finderscope, raised on a cast iron pier with 6" geared polar axis, with a wood case fitted with accessories
Dimensions
142cm long approx.
Footnote
The Collection of the Late Allan Murray.
Provenance: 'Premier Scientific Instrument Auction', Yeier Optics, New York, 4 August 2001, Lot 300
Note: Hailed as a mechanical genius by many of his contemporaries, Dr John Alfred Brashear (1840-1920) was a self-taught American astronomer. After dedicating himself to the manufacturing of astronomical and scientific instruments in 1880, Brashear's designs helped facilitate the research of many leading astronomers in America; including Samuel Pierpont Langley, Director of the Allegheny Observatory in Pittsburgh. Brashear became interested in astronomy as a young boy and throughout his career he was committed to inspiring new generations of amateur astronomers. For his distinguished work in the field of astronomical instruments, John A. Brashear was awarded the Elliott Cresson Medal in 1910, the highest accolade presented by the Franklin Institute.