This miniature telescope was made by Henry Pyefinch in his workshop in London circa 1760’s. The barrel is wrapped with dyed fish skin, horn dyed turnings and vellum draw tubes.

Peter Dollond successfully sued Henry for infringing on his patented lens design as he did with any one who copied his telescope inventions. He was able to keep his competitors at bay for years through litigation and made a good deal of money doing so. Not all patents were so successfully protected. David Brewster patented the Kaleidoscope in 1818 and instantly lost control of it to other makers. Over 200,000  kaleidoscopes were sold in London and Paris by a variety of instrument makers. No one wanted to pay hislicense fee’s and he lost a fortune. Brewster remained angry till he died.