Vintage Telescope Advert – Dollonds Army Signalling Model, London

Description

Vintage Telescope Advert – Dollonds Army Signalling Model, London

Striking period advertisement for Dollonds’ military-style telescope, showcasing the firm’s long-standing reputation for precision optics in both civilian and military use.

Measurements: approx. 2 1/4 x 2 1/4 inches
Dates: Not stated (likely interwar to early postwar era)
Source:Not credited
Condition: In decent vintage condition. Please inspect images for quality.
Internal notes: QC passed

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The crisp illustration and bold typography immediately transport us to an era when precision optics symbolised exploration, navigation, and fieldcraft. This square-format advert, likely dating from the interwar or early postwar period, offered readers the chance to own a rugged, military-grade telescope from the esteemed firm Dollonds — post free, no less.

Promoted as a “Standard Army Signalling Model” and crafted in London by Dollond & Aitchison Ltd., the telescope boasts impressive specifications for its time: 31 inches when extended, 10 inches closed, with two eyepieces offering magnification of ×20 and ×30 respectively. Covered in brown leather and complete with caps, sling, and case, it was marketed for touring, marine, and general outdoor use — a rare example of optical instruments bridging civilian and military appeal. Dollonds’ legacy in optical precision dates to 1750, lending further gravitas to the offer.

Ephemera like this preserves not just a product, but a mindset — of practicality, craftsmanship, and trust in mail-order institutions. A remarkable addition for collectors of optical instruments, wartime memorabilia, or advertising history, this piece invites appreciation for the tools that shaped adventure, defence, and everyday utility.

Categories: advertising, ephemera, military, optical, print, vintage

Tags: telescope, dollond, london, military, optical, vintage, mail order

Focus keyword: dollond telescope advert

Suggested Internal Link Keywords: vintage telescope, optical ephemera, military advertising, dollond & aitchison, london optics