S. A. International

• 3500 B.C. Phonenicians cooking on sand discover glass.
  
• 424 B.C. Aristophanes uses a glass sphere filled with water to start fires. Lenses would not be used to study the stars for 2000 years.
  
• 14th century--convex lenses to correct farsightedness are developed.
  
• 15th century--concave lenses to correct nearsightedness are developed.
  
• 1608--In the Netherlands, Hans Lippershey discovers that holding two lenses up some distance apart bring objects closer. He applies for a patent on his invention. This is the first documented creation of a telescope. The idea is independently developed by Jacub Metius and Sacharias Janssen. The patent to Lippershey is denied.
  
• 1609--Galileo, after simply hearing that the device was invented, builds several telescopes of his own and turns them toward the heavens. This is the first documented case of the telescope being used to study the stars, planets, moon, and sun.
  
• 1611--The term "telescope" is coined by Prince Frederick Sesi at a reception where Galileo is demonstrating his instruments.
  
• 1611--Johannes Kepler switches from a concave eyepiece to a convex eyepiece. This not only allowed a larger field of view, but it allowed for the projection of images (such as the sun) onto a flat white screen. Although the images are inverted, Kepler demonstrates how a third convex lens turns the images right-side-up again. The use of a third lens also degrades the images, so this form of the telescope is not widely used. For terrestrial applications, particularly military applications, the Galilean form of the telescope is the most widely used.
  

These beautiful 18-inch long solid brass refractor telescopes are mounted on solid hardwood and brass tripods.  The telescopes use precision ground glass optics and produce a bright and clear 18-power non-inverted image.  Focusing is accomplished by rotating a large adjusting ring near the eyepiece.The telescopes are 19 inches (48.3 cm) long, the main tubes are 2 inches (5.1 cm) in diameter, and have an objective lens diameter of 1.5 inches (38 mm).  A removable brass cap protects the objective lens.  The height of the telescopes is adjustable from a minimum height of 18 1/2 inches (47.0 cm) to a maximum height of 27 1/5 inches (69.9 cm) tall.  The feet of the tripod have molded rubber so the telescope will not slip or scratch your fine furniture.  The telescope is easily removed from the stand, and the stand collapses efficiently for compact storage.  Either telescope with tripod weighs 6 pounds (2.7 kg).  These beautiful brass telescopes are perfect for your office desk, or near a window.

Our largest handheld spyglass telescope requires a man's full arm extension to hold.  These large solid brass telescopes are 32 inches  long when fully extended, and are 12 inches (30.5 cm) long when collapsed.  These non-inverting four-pipe telescopes are available in three versions; Polished brass, hand sewn leather sheathed brass, and antique patina.  All three versions have bright 5-element ground glass optics with a powerful 20-power view.  All are heavy solid brass and each weighs 3 pounds, 9 ounces (1.6 kg).  The telescopes are 2 1/2-inches (6.4 cm) in diameter with a 52 mm diameter ground glass objective lens.  A built-in sunshade extends to reduce lens flare.

Spyglass Telescopes come complete with a beautiful hardwood case. The box is fully lined with dark green felt and the corners are inlaid with lighter hardwood splines.  An oval brass plate on the top of the case is inlaid flush with the surface. 

These beautiful solid brass refractor telescopes are mounted on solid brass and hardwood tripods.  The telescopes use precision ground glass optics to produce a bright and clear 24-power non-inverted image.

We offer two types of the antique reproduction 30-inch refractor telescopes: A polished brass version and a model with the main tube wrapped in a hand sewn high quality 100 percent leather sheath.  The dark brown leather sheath adds distinctive styling and eliminates fingerprints or tarnish on the main tube.  Either telescope is focused by rotating a large adjusting ring near the eyepiece.  The telescopes are 29 inches (73.6 cm) long with a main tube 2 1/4 inches (5.7 cm) in diameter, and have an objective lens diameter of 42 mm.  A removable 2 3/4 inch (7.0 cm) diameter brass cap protects the objective lens. 

These telescopes are mounted on sturdy two-section telescoping rich cherry-stained solid hardwood tripods with heavy brass castings.  The height of the telescopes is adjustable from a minimum height of 37 inches (94 cm) to a maximum height of 59 inches (150 cm) tall.  Either telescope is easily removed from the tripod, and the tripod collapses efficiently for compact storage.Either model telescope with tripod weighs 15 1/4 pounds (6.9 kg).  These beautiful brass telescopes are perfect for your office or home, near a view window, for viewing the water, landscape.