Telescope walking stick

Walking stick telescopes like this were made as gentlemen’s fashion accessories rather than as serious observing instruments. This example has a telescope with a single brass draw tube fitted into it. The brass fittings include a silvered screw-on objective lens cap, which also acts as the top of the stick, the covering of which is made to simulate tree bark (now badly cracked). The bottom of the stick unscrews to reveal the telescope eyepiece.

Object Details

ID: REL0053
Collection: Astronomical and navigational instruments; Relics
Type: Walking stick telescope
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Willson
Date made: circa 1810
People: Fenton, John
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Length: 725 mm (telescope, closed); 901 mm (telescope, fully extended); 855 mm (walking stick); Diameter: 38 mm (max)