The Value Of Antique Telescopes

Towards the very front of a ship stands a vigilant sailor who keeps a constant bird's eye on the blurry line of the horizon. The long metal tube that is known as a telescope is perched in one of his eyes as he scans the sea with it. On the horizon he may see many things - the beginnings of a far off storm, or a long string of glaciers. Whirlpools are notoriously hard to see on the horizon, but a skilled sailor, with the help of a telescope, most certainly can pick them out without trouble. When sailing before the advent of GPS, the telescope was an indispensable tool for a sailor. When sailing on a ship today, many bring telescopes along with them as necessities and for safety.

The antique telescope is wonderful at maintaining its shape and sparkle even over countless years of stress and use. Most of these antique telescopes are made of brass or bronze, a common metal used in nautical instruments. The salty spray of the ocean does not corrode brass as it does other metals. These telescopes are known for shining and sparkling in the sun even when they haven't been polished for many years. Brass ages but does not dull as many other metals do. Brass reacts well to touch, and absorbs oils on human skin in order to shine and retain its beautiful golden luster. While brass is the most popular metal for these telescopes, silver and steel also find homes in the telescope-making industry.

A telescope is unique in that its uses have yet to be eclipsed by any modern technology today. The meaning behind the image of a telescope is multifaceted, but many agree it stands for adventure and information gathering. Creating antique telescopes in the past was an expensive business, and as such only captains and quartermasters would carry a telescope as it was far too valuable to trust in the hands of other sailors. Because of this scarcity, viewing a vista through a captain's telescope was often deemed a privilege. Often, a backup telescope would be stowed somewhere within the captain's cabin. One useful addition to the telescope came in the form of a small string that wrapped around both the telescope and the hand of the viewer, thereby securing it so the tool did not fall into the ocean.

Antique telescopes make wonderful installments in any room of the house or office, and they are slender enough to fit almost anywhere. It is very common for antique telescopes to fold and retract into themselves in a cylinder that is even smaller. These tubes are usually no more than four inches thick, perfect for carrying. Other telescopes do not retract at all, and should not be forced.

Overall, these items are beautifully crafted works of art that have rich histories and backgrounds. Though these items may always seem as though they are shining, some small dirt or rust patches may actually add to its rustic, antique feel.