1202

John C. Fremont Telescope

Currency:USD Category:Cameras & Photo / Binoculars & Telescopes Start Price:20,000.00 USD Estimated At:40,000.00 - 65,000.00 USD
John C. Fremont Telescope
Preview
Holabird-Kagin Americana Office
3555 Airway Drive Suite#309
Reno, NV 89511
Thursday April 11, 10am-6pm
* Preview also available by appointment

Live Auction
Friday & Saturday
April 12-13, 2012
9am PDT starting time, both days

Location
Atlantis Casino & Resort
Grand Ballroom #4
3800 S. Virginia Street
Reno, NV 89502

Lot Pick Up
Holabird-Kagin Americana Office
3555 Airway Drive Suite #309
Reno, NV 89511
Sunday April 14th, 10am-1pm

This is a telescope that was purchased in the early 1900s by a gentleman named E.D. Grose from Elizabeth "Libby" Fremont (1842-1919), daughter of legendary explorer John C. Fremont. According to the accompanying notarized letter, Groze, a resident of Pasadena, Ca. purchased the spyglass from Ms. Fremont who, he wrote, lived in Long Beach, Ca. at the time.

Groze was a stagecoach driver in the upper Mojave Desert back in the early 1900s. He also took several scenic photographs of the area, which could explain his interest and passion for the wide open spaces. According to Groze, the spyglass was made in England in the 1830s, but the maker’s plate has been removed, replaced by the scripted engraving JCF. It is known that Fremont carried a few German made spyglasses on his journeys, Frauenhofer in particular, so it’s possible this is one of those. It states in the letter that this particular one was used during Fremont’s first trip to what became Utah, Nevada and California. It was on this trip that Fremont, guided by Christopher Houston "Kit" Carson, became the first known person of European descent to see the alpine lake that would become Tahoe.

This historical artifact measures 24" closed and 36" extended. It is constructed of brass and wrapped in very light gauge black leather The optics all seem to be in order with focus lines hand etched along the brass barrel. It appears to be 120x power and in very nice condition when one considers how far it’s been packed and its age. This telescope has seen a lot of history, literally, and should be in a museum. Of course, the notarized letter from Mr. Grose is included. HKA#62367