English, circa 1810, signed, “Berge London late Ramsden”,  brass construction, full draw 46”, 21” with table top stand, 2 ½” objective, slow motion drives in two axis’s, erecting optical tube as well as astronomical eyepieces, mahogany and brass gear stick, complete with a custom floor telescope signed, “VCI” ,  library telescope by one of London’s best instrument makers.

It has been written, “The workshop of Jesse Ramsden employed some fifty craftsman headed by Matthew Berge, who on the death of Ramsden in 1800 took over the workshop and for a time produced instruments signed – Berge Late Ramsden. Jesse Ramsden (1735 – 1800) was the most celebrated of all the English instrument makers”.

Sotheby’s sold a similar telescope in March 20, 2003, London, bring 9,600 pounds sterling.

This telescope is in very fine, never having been machine buffed polished (all machined edges are sharp and clean as when they were made from the workshop) and the optics produce pin sharp  images. It is not only historically important, it out performs most modern telescopes of its size that I have tested. The gear drive ivory thumb screw adjustment for altitude and the radial 360 degree pillar mount gear box, make it “smooth as silk” to aim and focus. The top of the packing case is missing, and we note several very minor dings to the main tube.

Use with the original table top mount or place it on the floor tripod (best), this instrument becomes the show piece of any room or office. 

This is the very best telescope of its type that you can buy.

A modest reserve and inquirers welcome:  erik@vancort.com

Buyer pays $75 shipping anywhere in the USA, overseas quoted.