in the 20th century, binoculars replaced the telescope as the main device used for making observations from ships. This pair of prismatic binoculars has a central focusing knob plus adjustment of the right-hand eyepiece. It is held in a leather case with a carrying strap. The maker’s name appears both on the binoculars and the case and the name of the original owner, ‘J.S. ROFE / R.N.D.’, is also inscribed on the binoculars with the initials ‘J.S.R.’ on the case.