very rare! wray london 4.5” refractor telescope with steinheil muenchen eyepieces 1890-1908

On offer is a very rare! Wray London 4.5” brass refractor telescope optical tube assembly and instruments over the 4” aperture range rarely come available on the preowned market so is a really good opportunity to own a piece of telescope making history from a well known famous maker.The instrument has a definite age of anywhere between 1890-1908 which can be found online and the makers name (Wray London) can be found written on the cell housing and later samples were often marked around the focuser visual back.William Wray the founder first established the company in 1850 and was highly regarded for his lens making skills and producing excellent refractor telescopes and several Wray telescopes were used for serious scientific work in the 1880,s including comet discovery and the company changed names between 1850-1908.This particular instrument has an age range of anywhere between 1890-1908 and is marked (Wray London) earlier samples by William Wray were manufactured in 1850-1870 and were marked
(W.Wray optician London) also in 1870-1890 all of his instruments were marked (W.Wray,Highgate London).In 1908 the company eventually merged with Aitchison and by the mid part of the 20th century they mainly manufactured binoculars and small lenses then eventually seized trading in 1971.

The original owner of the telescope came across a very interesting individual and was respected in the Astro community and was named Edward Fredrick and was born in 1919 and then sadly passed away back in 1980.Even the late sir Patrick Moore often approached Edward for advice on amateur astronomy.Edward also was fascinated with lunar observations and had a crater name after him.Also after speaking to the owner son NASA gave Edward certain reels of the Apollo 11 lunar landing.This instrument then came in my possession approximately two months ago from writing this listing and has been fully restored by myself.Sadly the original mount and tripod has perished over time and in my personal opinion wasn’t worth trying to salvage and restoring.If you are interested in this telescope please don’t hesitate to get in touch i also have many other pictures of the actual restoration project and the makers markings which can be seen written on the cell housing.
Also not pictured the telescope also comes supplied with x2 steinheil muenchen eyepieces which are German manufactured and are highly sought after in there own right.Also a vixen 40mm kellner eyepiece was specially adapted for the arrival of Halley’s Comet back in 1985-1986.

Antiques.co.uk Ref: 4GEFEVE4F

Maker/Artist:

Wray London

Materials:

Brass and steel

Width (cm):

135 cm

Height (cm):

160 cm

Depth (cm):

135 cm

Please note that this price may NOT include delivery charges which the seller may charge extra for.

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Sean Eales

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