A VICTORIAN LACQUERED BRASS 3-INCH REFRACTING TELESCOPE T. Cooke, York, circa 1860 The 39.5 inch tube fitted with a 'star finder' sight and signed T. Cooke, YORK near the rack and pinion focus adjustment screw, with telescopic eyepiece assembly threaded into the tube end piece opposing brass end cap for the objective lens incorporating a reduced aperture to centre, fitted via dovetailed slots onto a substantial twin pierced-curve cast brass pivoted yoke joint for the three-legged rosewood tripod stand fitted with twin telescopic steady bars, with a choice of five eyepieces and in original mahogany box with brass handles. The box 102cm (44ins) long, 29cm (11.5ins) deep, 18cm (7ins) high. Provenance: The Selwyn Demmy collection. Thomas Cooke first set-up business in York in 1837 where he subsequently built factory at Bishophill in 1855. Thomas died in 1868 and was succeeded by his sons. At the outbreak of the First World War the Bishophill factory was redeveloped to cope with the growing demand for defence products. Vickers Ltd acquired control of the firm in 1915 and oversaw its expansion until they merged with Troughton & Simms of London, in 1922 becoming Cooke, Troughton & Sims.