This achromatic telescope has a mahogany barrel and four brass draw tubes. The brass fittings include a pivoted eyepiece cover, but the objective lens cap is now missing.

According to an inscription on the largest draw tube, the telescope was 'The esteemed / gift / of / SIR EDWD. PELLEW / to / A. WHITSON'. Edward Pellew (1757-1833) became Vice-Admiral in the Royal Navy and had been made Viscount Exmouth by the time of his death. Pellew gave this telescope to Alex Whitson, a surgeon, with whom he was friends. Two letters from Pellew to Whitson are also held by the National Maritime Museum.