Lot 32
  • 32

ENGLAND, EARLY 20TH CENTURY | Edward, Prince of Wales' Telescope

Estimate
800 - 1,200 GBP
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Description

  • Edward, Prince of Wales' Telescope
  • tôle, glass lenses, leather
  • extended: 69cm, 27in.
with five draws, the leather case tooled E below the Prince of Wales feathers and the telescope with the same

Provenance

Edward, Prince of Wales (1894-1972), later Duke of Windsor
Christie's, Rome, Libri Autografi Stampe, 17 June 2004, lot 585

Condition

Signs of age and wear from use to case. Scratches to metal. Losses to some black paint at extremities. Some dents, again from age and use, to metal. Lacking leather buckles to one side so leather shoulder strap is detached. Where these straps were affixed there is scuffin to the leather (which should polish out). The wear does not detract. The lens cap is lodged in the leather lid. Atmospheric and great fun.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

Prince Edward joined the Royal Naval College in May 1907 at Osborne. Soon after his investiture as Prince of Wales in 1911, his father George V, arranged for him to serve as midshipman on a coal-burning battleship the Hindustan. In his autobiography, the Duke of Windsor relates ‘I was genuinely sorry to leave the only warship I ever actually served’ (The Duke of Windsor, A Kings Story, London, 1951, p. 80). He was promoted to Captain on the 8th of July 1919. The present lot could possibly date from either of these events in the young Prince’s life.