Optical Antiques

Brief history of optical instruments

While there is abundant evidence that optical instruments were already in use in the ancient world, such as the famous 5000-year-old rock crystal lens of Pharaoh Semempses, the first modern lens dates back to the 16th century, when the German Lippershey attempted to patent his crystals. From this point on, Galileo perfected the invention by creating telescopes of up to 30x magnification. The first microscope and the first sliding tube spyglasses also date from this creative period. Soon after came the eyeglasses as we know them, contact lenses and the stereoscope, progress that left behind a series of optical antiquities of great historical value.

Variety in optical antiques

If you are a lover of antiques, and in particular of antique optical instruments, in this section you will find that antique telescope you have always wanted and which may be the ideal specimen to start your collection of optical antiques. You will also find antique marine or field spyglasses, antique magnifying glasses and the rarest stereoscopes you can imagine.

All of these antique optical instruments are available in this section.

Pieces that you can discover in this section

• - Antique telescopes: one of the most precious among optical antiques, here you can find antique pieces dated between the 18th and early 20th century, models that preserve their original components, for mantel, detachable, with tripod and original wooden cases.
• - Antique telescopes: one of the most precious among optical antiques, here you can find antique pieces dated between the 18th and early 20th century, models that preserve their original components, for mantel, detachable, with tripod and original wooden cases.
• - Lens cases for ophthalmologist and ophthalmologic devices: as the manufacturing of ophthalmologic devices developed, the need arose to create special cases for them. Here you will find antique cases where optical professionals kept all types of lenses, in addition to their surgical instruments.
• - Antique spyglasses and binoculars: we have both marine and field glasses and binoculars, dating from the nineteenth and early twentieth century. You can find well-known brands such as William Harris & Son or J. H. Steward, with four or five bodies, with or without tripod; indispensable pieces to build your collection of antique optical instruments.
• - Sextants and octants: these navigational instruments allow you to measure the height of the stars in relation to the sea horizon. Here you can find precious pieces from the early 19th century and mid-20th century.
• - Antique stereoscopes and stereoviewers: also known as "stereoscopic viewers", we have pieces from the early twentieth century, both magnetic and automatic, from prestigious brands such as Educa, Planox, Le Multiphote, French-made, all very well preserved and with lenses of the time.