ANTIQUE MINIATURE FOUR-VANE SURVEYING COMPASS
Stock Number: 9197
$2400.
For sale: Antique miniature surveying instrument, very early, probably the work of Adams or W. & S. Jones
Dimensions
3" (7.6 cm) outside diameter
Circa
C. 1800
Country of manufacture
UK and Ireland
Description
MINIATURE FOUR-VANE SURVEYING COMPASS, English, c. 1800. With main plate just 3” (7.6 cm) in outside diameter, this exquisite little brass instrument has the features of a large four-vane circumferentor. Two matched string-and-slit sight vanes mount to the main plate, which is divided every degree full circle. A similar set of vanes mounts to the manually rotatable glazed compass, itself with internal silvered circular scale (divided every two degrees) and exceptionally fine compass needle, and early glass. Condition is very fine noting one sight vane with an old crack, one screw replaced, and the case fittings reworked.
The high quality of workmanship and the style of the fine engraving suggest the work of Adams or W. & S. Jones. It is certainly the smallest four-vane circumferentor we have seen, the whole fitting comfortably in the palm of the hand, yet a fully functional precision instrument. $2400.
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Dealer information
TESSERACT
David and Yola Coffeen both have enjoyed academic careers, as planetary astronomer and as linguist/educator. But since 1982 (yes, 1982!) they have been full-time dealers in early scientific and medical instruments, under the name Tesseract. Selling primarily by catalogue (over 100 issued so far) they also have a web presence at www.etesseract.com, and can be contacted at [email protected].
