Posted 6 years ago
dadshed
(1 item)
i have recently inherited a pair of brass and leather binoculars / opera glasses amongst my late fathers things and have had no luck in researching and wondered if anyone could help. They are marked / stamped as "Russell London", look to be early 20thC, but i cannot find any info as to whether they are makers or retailers.
any info appreciated.
(can take and post photos if will help)
My sleuthing turned up a pair of early 20th Century binoculars by Russell of London. This is the heading I found on a recent Auction House sale.
https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/east-bristol-auctions/catalogue-id-sreas10094/lot-14eafe49-1d6a-4dfe-bca5-a4ad010226e3
The Auction House is in Bristol, U.K. Their details are in the notice. Couldn't find out anything else about Russell, London, but not for want of searching. You could send the Auction House a picture of your pair of binoculars, and ask them if they can supply any more information. (They're not opera glasses.)
you're a star. thank you. any reason you think not opera glasses, as there is no centre pivot which i thought all binoculars had?
Being brass and leather, they're probably marine or maritime (navy). Most of these were French made, but possibly marketed by Russell in London ?