AN UNUSUAL FRENCH LACQUERED BRASS THREE-INCH SIX-DRAW PORTABLE ASTRONOMICAL TELESCOPE UNSIGNED, MID 19th CENTURYWith friction fitting brass cover to the 3 inch lens and carrying strap loops to the ray skin covered body tube opposing shuttered eyepiece, 157.5cm (62ins) long extended; 37cm (14.5ins) closed, in original hardwood box with three additional eyepieces.The box 46.5cm (18.25ins) wide, 20cm (8ins) deep, 11.5cm (4.5ins) high.The current lot is unusual in that it appears to have been made for astronomical use with some of the eyepieces filtered most likely to allow solar observations (not recommended). In order to obtain decent focal length whilst remaining portable the instrument incorporates six drawers which allow it to extend to a length of over five feet. In order for this to be achieved without the tube bowing under its own weight requires the instrument to be particularly well made with fine tolerances.