You seem to have a nice pair of binocculars from the teen's or 20's, but could be as late as the late 30's. The photo's make it seem to show that they were originally painted black but are now quite worn. You do not say why you reference these as having a nautical relationship as they may have, but I should mention that this type of binoccular was mass produced for many years by many companies, one of which may have been in Liverpool England. Yes, Liverpool England was the steel capitol of the English Empire and certainly had a nautical history, (mostly corporate headquarters), it's not to suggest that these binocculars have a nautical relationship unless you have additional informational history on them. They may have just been manufactured there and so have the mark "Liverpool" on them. Nonetheless, if the lenses are intact and the adjustment or focus screw works, they are a nice piece of optical technology representative of a leisurely lifestyle where a little extra earned money could afford to buy such things. If you have the original leather carrying case laying around somewhere, you should put them together again as it will make their value increase. As I live in the midwest and I see these type of binocculars fairly often, I would guess them to be valued anywhere between $10. and $100., depending on certain, obvious factors of quality and condition. I hope they continue to "see" new life with a new caring owner.
I believe they are nautical due to the inscription on the eye piece.. " The Liverpool" . At one point in my childhood i remember cork or something like it being on the hand pieces..it all flaked off. I wish i had the case for it..don't remember ever seeing them in a case.
I hope you don't mind that I took some liberty in researching some possibilities concerning your binocculars as they've caught my interest for some reason. Since you mentioned that cork was once wrapped around the casing, and knowing that cork was once the popular "flotation safety material" of the last 200 years, it is possible they were indeed tied to a nautical history. It seems logical however that that the little cork wrapped around the casing would be insufficient to keep the heavy metal binocculars affloat if they were to fall in the open water, and that the cork was more likely a comfortable "grip" material to hold onto by the user. It is however, difficult to tell either for certain. As far as "the Liverpool" reference, I discovered probably the same thing you did, referencing the existance of over 100 ships named "the Liverpool", including several existing modern military vessels today! With that many having been around at one point or another, it is likely that your binocculars had some relation to one of those ships. "The Liverpool", however, also is referenced and connected to many more things including, schools, restaurants, bars, clubs, organizations, places, automobiles(racecars), universities, neighborhoods, landmarks, statues, and several other odd references. With all the possibilities that "The Liverpool" could be attached to, and given that novelty items and souveniers have been around for a very long time, It may be difficult to say for certain where your particular binocculars originated from. I however seem to agree with, if not just like the idea of, them being associated with a nautical history. It's certainly a more probable connection considering the number of ships named "The Liverpool", and if you have a story or reason to believe they are, then I say go with it until proven otherwise! Maybe yours or someone else's research will discover something more concrete over time. Good luck and have fun with them in the meantime!
Re: Antique Marine Binoculars
You seem to have a nice pair of binocculars from the teen's or 20's, but could be as late as the late 30's. The photo's make it seem to show that they were originally painted black but are now quite worn. You do not say why you reference these as having a nautical relationship as they may have, but I should mention that this type of binoccular was mass produced for many years by many companies, one of which may have been in Liverpool England. Yes, Liverpool England was the steel capitol of the English Empire and certainly had a nautical history, (mostly corporate headquarters), it's not to suggest that these binocculars have a nautical relationship unless you have additional informational history on them. They may have just been manufactured there and so have the mark "Liverpool" on them. Nonetheless, if the lenses are intact and the adjustment or focus screw works, they are a nice piece of optical technology representative of a leisurely lifestyle where a little extra earned money could afford to buy such things. If you have the original leather carrying case laying around somewhere, you should put them together again as it will make their value increase. As I live in the midwest and I see these type of binocculars fairly often, I would guess them to be valued anywhere between $10. and $100., depending on certain, obvious factors of quality and condition. I hope they continue to "see" new life with a new caring owner.
Re: Antique Marine Binoculars
I believe they are nautical due to the inscription on the eye piece.. " The Liverpool" . At one point in my childhood i remember cork or something like it being on the hand pieces..it all flaked off. I wish i had the case for it..don't remember ever seeing them in a case.
Re: Antique Marine Binoculars
I hope you don't mind that I took some liberty in researching some possibilities concerning your binocculars as they've caught my interest for some reason. Since you mentioned that cork was once wrapped around the casing, and knowing that cork was once the popular "flotation safety material" of the last 200 years, it is possible they were indeed tied to a nautical history. It seems logical however that that the little cork wrapped around the casing would be insufficient to keep the heavy metal binocculars affloat if they were to fall in the open water, and that the cork was more likely a comfortable "grip" material to hold onto by the user. It is however, difficult to tell either for certain. As far as "the Liverpool" reference, I discovered probably the same thing you did, referencing the existance of over 100 ships named "the Liverpool", including several existing modern military vessels today! With that many having been around at one point or another, it is likely that your binocculars had some relation to one of those ships. "The Liverpool", however, also is referenced and connected to many more things including, schools, restaurants, bars, clubs, organizations, places, automobiles(racecars), universities, neighborhoods, landmarks, statues, and several other odd references. With all the possibilities that "The Liverpool" could be attached to, and given that novelty items and souveniers have been around for a very long time, It may be difficult to say for certain where your particular binocculars originated from. I however seem to agree with, if not just like the idea of, them being associated with a nautical history. It's certainly a more probable connection considering the number of ships named "The Liverpool", and if you have a story or reason to believe they are, then I say go with it until proven otherwise! Maybe yours or someone else's research will discover something more concrete over time. Good luck and have fun with them in the meantime!
Re: Antique Marine Binoculars
Unfortunately, those are not ship's binoculars from any vessel. They are commercially manufactured inexpensive binoculars. Worth about $20.