Description and History of Site:-
Buckingham works, purpose built in 1856 by T Cooke & Sons. Thomas Cooke died 1868. Succeeded by his two sons who carried on until 1894. In 1922 the business acquired Troughton and Simms becoming Cooke Troughton and Simms (CTS) Ltd London and York. By 1929 operations had expanded into new premises at the northern end of Bishophill Senior. The company formally became part of Vickers instruments Ltd in 1963 although it had actually been controlled by Vickers since 1924.

Manufacturers of a wide variety of optical instruments such as microscopes and telescopes, but particularly well known for surveying equipment such as theodolites, levels &c.

T. Cooke & Sons supplied six theodolites for use on Scott's 1912 Antarctic Expedition. These were probably 4 inch models, and were specially manufactured for the expedition using lightweight gunmetal and aluminium alloys, and further adapted for sub-zero conditions. One of these instruments, quite possibly the one which was taken to the pole, was returned to the firm and is now in the care of the Borthwick Institute as part of the Vickers Instruments Archive.

Further Reading and References:-
YAHS - Hatcher Card Index. Research funded by the Yorkshire Arts Association 1972.
Hatcher, J. The industrial architecture of Yorkshire. Phillimore, 1985.
https://www.york.ac.uk/borthwick/holdings/what-we-hold/businesses/vickers-instruments/
McConnell, A, 'Instrument Makers to the World', University of York, 1992.

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Key Words :- works instruments scientific optical

Address :- Bishophill Senior, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 6BD
Grid Ref :- SE 60141 51445
Co-ordinates :- Lat 53.955611 , Long -1.084989
Local Authority :- York City Council
Pre 1974 County :- Yorkshire - North Riding
Site Status :- Site demolished or no longer extant
Site Condition :- Site redeveloped to residential housing
Site Dates :- 1856 -
Record Date :- 4 July 2015

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