American Historical Ephemera & Photography

Brass 6-draw telescope, 42 1/2 in. fully extended, 11 in. closed (brass with mostly even patination, some surface scratching and rubbing throughout; barrel wrap with soiling and wear; retains objective lens cover and pivoting shutter for eyepiece). Lens cover interior bears mostly illegible inscription. Presentation engraved to final draw: "Presented to Lt. E. F. Devens / May 25 1863 / By his friends / Gulf Squadron / No Atlantic Squd / So Atlantic Squd." 

Edward F. Devens (1833-1885) enlisted as a 2nd lieutenant in May of 1861, being commissioned into Company B of the 3rd Massachusetts Rifles. Less than a month later, he was transferred out of that regiment and commissioned into the US Navy, where he served for over five years until being discharged in November of 1866. During his tenure with the Navy, he served aboard the USS Ohio, Vincennes, Ino, Stettin, Aries, and Tristram Shandy, being promoted ultimately to Acting Lieutenant Commander in January 1865. He achieved the rank of Acting Volunteer Lieutenant on 25 May 1863, the same date engraved on the telescope featured here, for his capture of the British steamer Aries while in command of the USS Stettin off of Bull's Bay, South Carolina. 

Lot accompanied by a folder of research regarding Devens and the ships aboard which he served, including correspondence with the Department of the Navy, etc.