Sometimes a telescope is just a telescope, even when it’s at an erect angle and pointed at a lady’s expectant face

Over 3½  Feet Long!

Was there a great demand for giant handheld telescopes in the 1940s? So large that they came with their own carrying cases, so that you could lug them around like Fast Eddie Felson with his pool cues? Binoculars had been invented at that point, right? Was there a wave of “18th century sea captain” cosplay?

When you have to peep at bathing beauties on the beach and binoculars would be too discreet, your giant telescope is there…