The oldest antiques dealer in the country, M.S. Rau Antiques, is now offering a huge 1820 French telescope, manufactured by Robert-Aglae Cauchoix, a French engineer and optician. Cauchoix was the man who designed three of the largest telescopes of the 19th century, including the one in the pictures, which measures 6 feet in height. One of these immense optic instrument was used to trace Halley’s (the comet) path.
The telescope can be used both for stargazing and for watching distant objects on Earth. Its impressive 7.5” hand-ground lens is over twice the size of other similar instruments of its time. The scope is made of brass and is set on a catapult base that permits the lens to move up and down and from side to side. Easy transportation is ensured by the base’s wheels, and when you find a spot that you like, you can even stake it to the ground. M.S. Rau Antiques sells the huge instrument together with its extra lenses and covers. The price is $248,500.
