3566

VERY RARE CIVIL WAR ERA US LIGHTHOUSE TELESCOPE,

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
VERY RARE CIVIL WAR ERA US LIGHTHOUSE TELESCOPE,
CAPE MAY NEW JERSEY LIGHTHOUSE. 48" Overall open, 13 1/2" closed, 2 1/2" objective lens, 3/4" eyepiece lens, 5 stage, opens to four feet w/ incredible optics as needed for lighthouse use in 19th century. Telescope is marked on original sail cloth fabric “U.S.L.H.E.” & stamped in brass “U.S.L.H.E. CAPE MAY N. J.” USLHE stands for United States Light House Establishment which was formed in 1792, Cape May was built in 1859 & was part of the USLHE till 1910 when the USLHE was privatized to contractors into USLHS (US Light House Service). This telescope is unmarked as to manufacturer but has all the attributes seen on Civil War era telescopes & field glasses, American made examples of this era are rarely maker marked. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: file w/ collector notes. CONDITION: very good to fine overall, optics are excellent, brass covers for both lenses are intact, painted body is intact, the sailcloth canvas strip painted U.S.L.H.E. worn & scuffed but lettering complete, brass has mottled medium mustard patina & some bright areas where the originally burnished & varnished metal is still bright. PROVENANCE: From the Collection of John "Tim" Breth Jr. (02-13782/JS). $2,000-3,000.