Spy Glass Collection

Napoleon and Spyglass
Mounted on his horse Marengo, He watches the progress of a battle with the aid of a spy- glass

Cased telescope of Brevet Major General John Gross Barnard
3029307 Cased telescope of Brevet Major General John Gross Barnard; Private Collection; (add.info.: Union Army, Cased telescope of Brevet Major General John Gross Barnard Chief Engineer of the Army)

New York, New York City, Brooklyn, Manhattan Bridge and promenade

The King of Brobdingnag and Gulliver. James Gillray cartoon of July 1803 showing George III of Great Britain viewing a
528661 The King of Brobdingnag and Gulliver. James Gillray cartoon of July 1803 showing George III of Great Britain viewing a miniscule Napoleon through a spy-glass

Spyglass, c. 1750-60 (gold-mounted agate, periscope mirror for side viewing)
500382 Spyglass, c.1750-60 (gold-mounted agate, periscope mirror for side viewing) by Cox, James (c.1723-1800); 5.08x3.8 cm; Cleveland Museum of Art, OH, USA; Gift of Howard F

High Change in Bond Street or la Politesse du Grande Monde
2562156 High Change in Bond Street or la Politesse du Grande Monde, 1796 (hand-coloured engraving) by Gillray, James (1757-1815); Private Collection; (add.info)

Jessies Dream (The Relief of Lucknow), 1858 (oil on canvas)
SAG56057 Jessies Dream (The Relief of Lucknow), 1858 (oil on canvas) by Goodall, Frederick (1822-1904); Sheffield Galleries and Museums Trust

A Peep at Christies, or Tally-ho and his Nimeney-Pimmeney taking the Morning Lounge, pub
2490075 A Peep at Christies, or Tally-ho and his Nimeney-Pimmeney taking the Morning Lounge, pub. 1796 (hand coloured engraving) by Gillray

High Change in Bond Street, ou la Politesse de Grande Monde, pub
3035666 High Change in Bond Street, ou la Politesse de Grande Monde, pub. 1796 (hand coloured engraving) by Gillray, James (1757-1815); Private Collection; (add.info)

Benjamin and Eleanor Ridgely Laming, 1788. Creator: Charles Willson Peale
Benjamin and Eleanor Ridgely Laming, 1788

Monument to Admiral Sir Thomas Hardy, on Blagdon Hill, 1844. Creator: Unknown
Monument to Admiral Sir Thomas Hardy, on Blagdon Hill, 1844. The Hardy Monument, on the summit of Black Down in Dorset, was erected by public subscription in memory of Vice Admiral Sir Thomas Hardy

A Portrait (Duke of Cumberland), January 10, 1812. January 10, 1812
A Portrait (Duke of Cumberland), January 10, 1812

Have you a precedent of this Commission? I believe not any, c1820. Creator: Unknown
Have you a precedent of this Commission? I believe not any, c1820. Satirical cartoon showing British judge John Scott, Earl of Eldon, holding a telescope and a bag of money

A high wind in St Pauls Churchyard, London, 1793. Artist: SW Fores
A high wind in St Pauls Churchyard, London, 1793; showing the effect of high wind on pedestrians in St Pauls Churchyard. Wigs and hats are flying off

Monster soup commonly called Thames water... 1828. Artist: Thomas McLean
Monster soup commonly called Thames water, being a correct representation of that precious stuff doled out to us!!!, 1828; showing an ugly woman holding a spy glass which touches the circumference of

A Peep at Christies or Tally-ho and his Nimeney-Pimmeney taking the Morning Lounge, 1796
A Peep at Christies or Tally-ho and his Nimeney-Pimmeney taking the Morning Lounge, pub. 1796 (hand coloured engraving)

Maps Spanish Armada 16 21 July 1588 Two cards
Maps of the Spanish Armada (16 and 21 July 1588), Two cards (I-II) with the Spanish fleet in the Channel below the coast of Cornwall and Devon, within an ornamental frame

France, French Revolution, Caricature of emigrants crossing the Rhine 18th century

Washington Crossing the Delaware. General George Washington leading his troops across the Delaware River during
CROSSING THE DELAWARE. Washington Crossing the Delaware. General George Washington leading his troops across the Delaware River during the American Revolutionary War, 1776. Etching, 19th century

HUNTING: MOOSE, 1868. Game in sight. Moose hunting in Canada. Wood engraving, 1868

PHILIPPE II (1674-1723). Duke of Orleans. Regent of France, 1715-23. After a contemporary engraving by Nicolas Edelinck

WILLIAM I (1533-1584). William the Silent. Founder of the Dutch Republic and first Stadholder, 1579-1584. Line engraving, Dutch, 1623

Brain examination, conceptual image. Computer artwork of a magnifying glass in front of a brain, representing brain examinations

Dressing Gown 1839
Red patterned dressing gown with cord belt & green lining, slippers & colourful cravat. Evening dress: black tights, bicorne hat, cut-away coat & embroidered waistcoat

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"Through the Spyglass: Unveiling Secrets and Perspectives" Intrigue and espionage have long fascinated humanity, as seen through historical events and artistic depictions. One such example is a James Gillray cartoon from July 1803, where George III of Great Britain uses a spy-glass to observe Napoleon Bonaparte. This moment captures the tension between two powerful figures during Napoleon's planned invasion of England. The spy-glass itself holds its own allure, dating back to around 1750-60. Crafted with gold-mounted agate and equipped with a periscope mirror for side viewing, it allowed individuals to discreetly observe their surroundings without being detected. Artistic portrayals further emphasize the significance of this tool. In "High Change in Bond Street or la Politesse du Grande Monde, " we witness how social etiquette intertwines with the use of a spy-glass, revealing hidden conversations and interactions within high society. Even in times of conflict or adversity, the spy-glass finds its place. "Jessie's Dream (The Relief of Lucknow)" depicts an oil painting capturing a pivotal moment during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. A courageous woman peers through her trusty spy-glass, seeking hope amidst chaos. Beyond historical moments captured on canvas, personal portraits also feature this intriguing instrument. Benjamin and Eleanor Ridgely Laming are immortalized by Charles Willson Peale in 1788 using their beloved spy-glasses as symbols of curiosity and refinement. Monuments too pay tribute to those who navigated treacherous waters using these optical devices. The Monument to Admiral Sir Thomas Hardy stands tall on Blagdon Hill since 1844—a testament to his strategic prowess aided by his trusted spy-glass. While spies may be associated with secrecy and deception, there is also humor surrounding these tools.