Microscope Museum

Collection of antique microscopes and other scientific instruments

Small telescope by Lennie (Edinburgh)

This is a small telescope signed with “Lennie, Edinburgh” and should be dated to c. 1850. The company of James Lennie, an optician and instrument maker, was founded around 1835 in South Bridge, Edinburgh, but by 1840 it was located at 14 Leith Street. The firm traded from 14 Leith Street until 1857 when they moved to 46 Princes Street, also in Edinburgh. James died in 1854 but his widow Eliza Lennie carried on the business. Soon after James’ death, the firm traded under the name E. Lennie and was listed as optician, manufacturer of photographic apparatus, eyeglass and spectacle makers. After Eliza died in 1901, the company was still shown in the directories as E. Lennie until 1903, when the name changed to J & J Lennie. Her sons, John and Joseph, ran the business until at least 1912.The firm appears to be handed down the generations moving to 5 Castle Street in 1954, and then being incorporated by J Turnbull & Co and moving again to 56 George Street in 1959 until 1971. The firm sold a wide range of optical instruments, including telescopes and microscopes, but they did not manufacture most of their items. They are known to have sold instruments made by well-known companies such as Negretti & Zambra.