Appraising antique binoculars and telescopes. by Peter Abrahams In many ways, the monetary value of an old instrument is its least interesting aspect, and it certainly gets wearisome to be asked about a significant telescope when the inquirer is only interested in its worth. It is also the question about an antique that is impossible to answer correctly for all situations. However, the monetary value has some important functions. Above all, it tends to insure the survival of an old relic. It also acts to bring the antiques out of storage and back into circulation. Finally, most new finds are brought out by dealers, who see antiques at garage sales & elsewhere, and need to know value before they will buy something for resale. As of 1999, internet sales have become an important factor in valuation. Some of the prices listed here are lower than would be reached at an on-line auction. Revisions of these values would be inappropriate at this point, for these reasons: First, values are fluctuating wildly on the internet; "auction fever" is extreme. Second, some common instruments can fetch a high price at an internet sale, and it is clear to me that the price will not be supported as more of them are placed at auction. In fact, an overlooked collectible like the binocular will be subject to a great increase in supply as they are retrieved from closets in response to the values people see at on-line auction. Third, sellers who have access to these internet auctions can use them for price guides if they wish; but the values in this listing have to reflect what can be obtained at an average large antique show. ================================================ BINOCULARS There are several types of binoculars, and the terminology used to refer to them is not consistent or precise. Generally, 'field glasses' refer to simple Galilean optics, where the lens next to the eye (the ocular) is concave and dished away from the eye. By looking through the large lens (the objective,) it is easy to see that the light goes straight through the two lenses. These are low power, have a very small field of view, and do not work nearly as well as prism binoculars. In a smaller size, they are opera glasses, and their price increases if they are covered with mother of pearl (fairly common but very attractive,) abalone shell (more colorful,) ivory (quite scarce,) or other exotic materials. Field glasses are not valuable unless very unusual or by the best makers, such as Zeiss or Leitz. Prism binoculars have the objective lens offset from the eyepiece, and give a much better view. This is the standard binocular form, called Porro prisms, and dates from around 1900. Another type of prism binocular is the roof prism, which at first resembles the straight through field glasses, with two simple cylinders or cones, here containing very small prisms. These can be distinguished by the high quality views (compared to field glasses), and by a thin diagonal line that can be seen when looking backwards through the objective. In general, German binoculars are the most desirable, followed by American, English; and finally French, which can be good quality but are very common unless of unusual configuration. Japanese optics of WWII or before are often of very high quality. "Made in Occupied Japan" binoculars are very common, but collectors prize those by Nippon Kogaku (Nikon.) Some binoculars are center focus, (CF,) with one central wheel that focuses both sides at once. These are much easier to use but more difficult to seal against dirt and moisture. Individual focus (IF) binoculars are adjusted by rotating each eyepiece, and tend to be cleaner inside in older optics. Each type is preferred by different collectors. Very large binoculars are always of great interest. All binoculars are numbered according to their magnifying power and the diameter of the objective in mm. 6 x 30 optics magnify six times and have 30 mm objectives. Prisms are easily knocked out of alignment, requiring an expensive and difficult repair. If severe, this misalignment is immediately noticeable on use, by the double images seen. Minor damage can be seen by focusing on a small object and slowly moving the binoculars away from the eye, which will cause the images to appear to separate. Overall cleanliness should be checked by looking backwards (through the objective) at a light or the sky, when any film or dirt on the lenses or prisms can easily be seen. Pristine binoculars are worth far more than when dirty or misaligned, and broken or cracked optics lower the value far more. Cases help keep binoculars clean but do not add materially to the value. The following listings assume a very good overall condition, with generally clean and aligned optics. Field Glasses US Naval Gun Factory Optical Shop 6 x 30 $ 75 Zeiss "Galan" 2.5 x 34, early 1920s, modern design look 100 Fernglas 08, German WWI, 6 x 39, mil green, many makers 50 LeMaire, var. sizes, bl. leather & brass, other French same 25 Ivory covered, various small sizes & makers 180 Pearl covered, various small sizes & makers 90 Porcelain covered, delicate painting, var. sm. sizes & makers 175 Metal, embossed hunting scene, var. sm. sizes & makers 45 Folding or telescoping, no barrels, old 125 Folding, modern, hinged flat case, oculars out side 10 Fernglas 08, German WWI, 6 x 39, mil green, many makers 50 Prism Binoculars (Porro) US Naval Gun Factory Optical Shop 6 x 30, IF, filters, WWI $ 70 US Naval Gun Factory Optical Shop 10 x 45, IF, WWI 180 Zeiss Teleater 3 x 13, CF, bl. leather 100 Barr & Stroud, 7 x 50, Porro II prisms, IF, WWII 110 Crown Optical, 6 x 30, IF, WWI, filters 45 Bausch & Lomb, 6 x 30, IF, WWI, "Signal Corps" 40 France, various makers & sizes, if not unusual 30 Zeiss 8 x 40 Delactis, 1930s, CF or IF 200 Zeiss 15 x 60, CF or IF, various models 600 Toko (Tokyo Opt. Co.) 7 x 50, IF, Made Occ. Japan 45 Nippon Kogaku 7 x 50, IF, Made Occ. Japan 150 Zeiss Deltrintem 8 x 30, CF, 1930s 95 Goertz Trieder Binocle, var. sizes, unusual adj. 65 Sard 6 x 42, IF, WWII, very wide angle 800 Bausch & Lomb, 7 x 50, IF, WWII, other makers same 45 Universal Camera 6 x 30, IF, WWII, other makers same 40 Warner & Swasey 8 x 20, CF, 1902, important maker 250 Leitz 8 x 30 Binuxit, CF, outstanding optics 150 Leitz 6 x 30 Dienstglas, IF, good optics 65 Bausch & Lomb / Zeiss, Pat. 1897, 8 x 17, CF 140 US Navy, 20 x 120, various makers, WWII & later 2000 Zeiss, Starmorbi, 12/24/42 x 60, turret eyepieces, 1920s 2000 Ross Stepnada, 7 x 30, 1930s, CF, wide angle 250 Nikon 9 x 35, 7 x 35, CF, 1950s 65 Bausch & Lomb Zephyr, 7 x 35 and other, CF 100 Ross 6 x 30, standard British WWI issue 50 Wollensak 6 x 30, circa 1940 50 M19, U.S. military 7 x 50, circa 1980 150 Huet, Paris. 7 x 22, other small sizes, unusual shapes 80 Zeiss D.F. 95, 6 x 18, square shoulder, very early binocular 150 German WWII 6 x 30, 3 letter code for various makers 60 German WWII 10 x 80, eyepieces at 45 degrees 450 Ross 6 x 30, standard British WWI issue 50 Wollensak 6 x 30, circa 1940 50 M19, U.S. military 7 x 50, circa 1980 150 Huet, Paris. 7 x 22, other small sizes, unusual shapes 80 Zeiss D.F. 95, 6 x 18, square shoulder, very early binocular 150 German WWII 6 x 30, 3 letter code for various makers 60 German WWII 10 x 80, eyepieces at 45 degrees 450 ROOF PRISM Hensoldt, Dialyt, various sizes, 1930s-1980s 110 Hensoldt Universal Dialyt, 6 x 26, 3.5 x 26, 1920s 80 Leitz Trinovid, 7 x 42 & other, CF, 1960s-1980s, excellent 375 Zeiss Dialyt, 8 x 30, CF, 1960s 400 =============================================================== TELESCOPES Antique telescopes were sold in large quantities to sailors, astronomers, voyeurs, and the military, but survive in relatively few numbers because their glass lenses and brass tubes were easily damaged. Even scarcer are antique reflecting telescopes, which use a polished metal mirror to magnify the world. Telescopes used for astronomy give an inverted image, but most old telescopes were used for marine purposes and have more complicated optics that show the world right-side up. Spyglasses are smaller, hand held telescopes that collapse into their tube and focus by drawing out the tube to the correct length. A more compact instrument, with three or four sections, is also more delicate, and sailors usually preferred a single draw spyglass. They are almost always of brass, occasionally of nickel silver or silver plate; and usually covered with leather, or sometimes a beautiful rosewood veneer. Solid wood barrel spyglasses (with a brass draw tube) tend to be early and rare. Before the middle of the 1800s, makers put their names in elaborate script on the smallest drawtube, but as 1900 approached, most switched to plain block printing. British instruments from World War One are commonly found, by a variety of makers but sharing a format of a 2" objective, 30" long with three draws extended, tapered main tube, and sometimes with low and high power oculars and a beautiful leather case. U.S. Navy WWII spyglasses are quite common but have outstanding optics, and focus by twisting the eyepiece, which makes them weather-proof. The Quartermaster (Q.M.) 16x spyglass is 31" long, with a tapered barrel, and a 2 1/2" objective. The Officer of the Deck (O.D.D.) is a 23" cylinder with a 1 1/2" objective. Very massive, short, brass telescopes are usually gunsights or ship equipment and have little interest to most collectors. World War II marked the first widespread use of coated optics, which can be recognized by a colored film on the objective lens. Collectible post-WWII telescopes include early refractors by Unitron or Fecker, and reflectors by Cave or Questar. Modern spotting scopes often use a prism to erect the image, and are of great interest if made by the best makers, including Nikon and Zeiss. Several modern makers still use lacquered brass, and many replica instruments have been produced. A telescope with no maker's name is much less interesting than a signed instrument, and "Made in France" is the most common mark on old brass spyglasses. Dollond of London made instruments for 200 years and is probably the most common name on antiques, but because of their important technical innovations and very high quality, Dollond telescopes are always valuable. Bardou, Paris telescopes are also very high quality and are another relatively common name, since they were a prolific maker for many years and their spyglasses were sold by Sears. Alvan Clark and Sons were the most prolific early American makers, from the 1850s to the 1920s, and their astronomical telescopes are of great historical import. Spyglasses are delicate instruments that were subject to severe use under all weather conditions. Cracked or deeply scratched optics are impossible to repair and lower the value considerably. Most lenses are doublets, two lenses glued together, and deteriorated cement is common. This looks like crazed glaze and is fairly difficult to repair. Dents in the tube and damaged or missing leather covering can usually be fixed. The best test of a telescope is to use it, and the image should be sharp and clear. Any accessories, eyepieces, erecting prisms, or quality cases can add significantly to value. The following prices assume that the telescope is in very good to fine condition, and give the objective lens (obj.) diameter, which is the most important measurement of a telescope. U.S. Navy, Bu.Ships, Mk.II, 10-Power, 1943; (O.D.D.) $125 U.S. Navy, Q.M. Spyglass, 16X, Mk.II, in box $220 Tel.Sct.Regt.Mk.2.S.;(many maker's names)UK WWI $120 Dolland, London, (script), 2 draw, 2" obj., leather cover $200 Dollond, London, (script), 2 draw, 2" obj., leather cover $340 Dollond, London, (block), 2 draw, 2" obj., leather cover $270 Dollond, London, (script), 3"obj., 40", brass, on tripod $2500 Bardou & Son, Paris, 4 draw, 36", 50mm obj.,leather, $220 Vion, Paris, 40 Power, 3 draw, 21", 40mm obj., leather $110 Bausch & Lomb, 1 draw, 17", 45 mm obj., wrinkle paint $90 Adams, George; 2" dia. reflecting, brass cabriole tripod $2700 Clark, Alvan, 4" obj., 48", iron mount on wood legs $5000 Short, James; 3" dia. reflecting, brass cabriole tripod $3000 Dallmeyer, London(script), 2 1/2" obj., SP, 5 draw, 49" $450 Cary, London(script), 2" obj., tripod, w' 3 eyepieces $2200 Zeiss Asiola,60mm obj. prism spotting scope, pre WWII $450 Zeiss, 60mm obj, brass, w' e.p.s & porro prism, tripod $1400 Brashear, 3 1/2" obj., brass, tripod, w' eyepieces $4000 Queen & Co.(script), 70mm obj., 50", wood veneer, 6 draw $650 Wollensak Mirroscope, 2" dia.,12" length, 1950s,lthr. case $200 France or Made in France, 30mm obj., 3 draw, lens cap, $80 Questar, 3 1/2" dia. reflecting, on astro. mount, 1950s-- $2000 Mogey, 3"obj., 40", brass, on tripod, w' 4 eyepieces, $2400 Unitron, 4" obj.,60", white, on tripod, many acc.s $1800 McAlister (script), 3 1/2"obj.,45", brass,tripod $3000 Wood barrel, 8-sided, 1 1/2"obj.,30",1700s $1500 Wood barrel, round taper, 1 1/2"obj., 1800s,signed $300 Brass,2 inch objective, stand with cabriole legs, no name $1200 Brass,2 inch objective, spyglass, leather cover, no name $150-$300 Brass, very heavy U.S. military $100-$300 Negretti & Zambra, 2.5" obj.,36", equatorial mount, tripod $2200 R. & J. Beck, 2" obj., 24",tabletop tripod, cabriole legs $2000 Plossl, Wien, 2.5" obj, 24",tabletop tripod, Dialytic optics $3000 Criterion RV-6 Dynascope,6" reflector, 1960s $500