28423. (telescope) “Merrimac Humane Society 1886” Brass, Two Draw Telescope / Spyglass for use, or given as a premium / life-saving award by The Merrimac Humane Society of Newburyport, Massachusetts.
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28423. (telescope) “Merrimac Humane Society 1886” Brass, Two Draw Telescope / Spyglass for use, or given as a premium / life-saving award by The Merrimac Humane Society of Newburyport, Massachusetts.
28423. (telescope) “Merrimac Humane Society 1886” Extremely Rare, c.1886, Brass, Two Draw Telescope / Spyglass for use, or given as a premium / life-saving award by The Merrimac Humane Society of Newburyport, Massachusetts. This, original, brass piece measures approx. 6 3/4″ long when fully collapsed and 15″ long with all 2 draws are extended. It is unsigned by the maker but features a period script engraving on the outermost sun shade that reads “Merrimac Humane Society Newburyport 1886”. The optics of the glass appear fine, a bit cloudy but easily restored. The Merrimac Humane Society was founded at Newburyport in 1802 and its stated purpose and operation was similar to the Massachusetts Humane Society and the later United States Life Saving Service. The Merrimac Society maintained a number of “shelter huts” along the deserted stretches of beach on Plum Island to serve as refuges for shipwrecked mariners washed ashore in these desolate areas. We know that the Merrimac Humane Society uses such telescopes to scan the ocean for endangered ships during bad weather. They also awarded Life Saving Medals and cash “Premiums” to those determined to have been instrumental in Life Saving efforts in the region. Like their “sister service” The Massachusetts Humane Society, they also awarded other premiums such as silver cups and it is also possible that this was given as an award as well. This rare piece came to us from a dealer, who obtained it from an un-named Newburyport estate without further historical information. This rare, 19th century life-saving brass telescope is in very good condition. As mentioned above the optics are good. There a few tiny ‘dings” un the outermost draw of the spyglass and there is some very light wear to the inner draws but overall it is very well preserved and will display nicely. As expected, there is surface tarnish to the brass surface which will clean-up nicely if the next owner so wishes. A very rare, 19th century Atlantic Coast Life Saving Society Brass Telescope and a fantastic addition to any collection! (VG). $3200.