William Gray, Solicitor, of York, one of his earliest friends, bought a 6 1/2-inch telescope in 1853.

In the following year, Professor Pritchard of Oxford was supplied with a 6 1/2-inch.

The other important instruments were as follows: in 1854, Dr.Fisher, Liverpool, 6 inches; in 1855, H.L.

Patterson, Gateshead, 7 1/4 inches; in 1858, J.G.Barclay, Layton, Essex, 7 1/4 inches; in 1857, Isaac Fletcher, Cockermouth, 9 1/4 inches; in 1858, Sir W.Keith Murray, Ochtertyre, Crieff, 9 inches; in 1859, Captain Jacob, 9 inches; in 1860, James Nasmyth, Penshurst, 8 inches; in 1861, another telescope to J.G.Barclay, 10 inches; in 1864, the Rev.W.R.
Dawes, Haddenham, Berks, 8 inches; and in 1867, Edward Crossley, Bermerside, Halifax, 9 3/8 inches.
In 1855 Mr.Cooke obtained a silver medal at the first Paris Exhibition for a six-inch equatorial telescope.[8] This was the highest prize awarded.

A few years later he was invited to Osborne by the late Prince Albert, to discuss with his Royal Highness the particulars of an equatorial mounting with a clock movement, for which he subsequently received the order.