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Flea-glass telescope

This instrument unscrews into a number of parts which can be assembled into different optical instruments. It can be used as a telescope, but when the barrel is unscrewed a simple microscope, or flea-glass, is also revealed. Using this, a specimen stuck on a pin (now missing) can be viewed through a small lens. The other accessories include a sundial. This type of multi-purpose object was common around 1700.

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Object details

ID:	NAV1663
Collection:	Astronomical and navigational instruments
Type:	Flea-glass telescope
Display location:	Not on display
Creator:	Unknown
Date made:	circa 1750
Credit:	National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Caird Collection
Measurements:	Overall: 155 mm; Diameter: 35 mm
Parts:	Flea-glass telescope Telescope cap (NAV1663.1) Telescope part (NAV1663.2) Telescope tube (NAV1663.3) Telescope tube (NAV1663.4) Telescope sundial (NAV1663.5) Telescope cap (NAV1663.6) Microscope (NAV1663.7) Microscope (NAV1663.8)