Accession No
2721
Brief Description
walking stick enclosing a small compass and single draw refracting telescope, by Coppendale and Company, English, presumed late 19th Century
Origin
England; London; Fleet Street; 25 Bride Lane
Maker
Coppendale and Company
Class
astronomy; optical; magnetism
Earliest Date
1875
Latest Date
1900
Inscription Date
Material
metal (brass, silver); organic (horn); glass
Dimensions
length overall 895mm; max diameter 37mm
Special Collection
Provenance
Inscription
‘Coppendale & CoS.
Improved Patent
25 Bride Lane Fleet Stt
London.’ (on draw tube of telescope)
Description Notes
Walking stick, painted brass body shaped to resemble ‘unicorn horn’, horn top (bound with silver plated brass ring) with small compass with 16-point rose (broken away). Body screws apart to reveal single draw telescope. Object glass in threaded brass mount. Base of stick contains lens in brass mount. 2 rings (for wrist strap ?)
Complete
References
Events
Description
In November 1944, R.S. Whipple’s donation to the University of Cambridge was put on show in the East Rooms of the Old Schools. The University accepted the donation on the condition that they found a new institution within which to house the collection.
Whipple himself wrote a guidebook to this exhibition, describing some of the more important objects and books on show. The front cover includes the following declaration: “The Exhibits are drawn from the Collection which Mr R.S. Whipple is presenting to the University and will form a nucleus for a History of Science Museum and Library in Cambridge.”
Whipple’s own explanatory text for this object was:
"Walking stick. Containing telescope, spy glass, compass and microscope, marked 'Copperdale and Co's Improved Patent, 25, Bride Lane, Fleet St, London'. c.1860."
17/10/2025
Created by: Hannah Price on 17/10/2025
FM:40127
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