Description

Rosewood and electrum bound military case measuring 20 x 16 x 5 cm. deep, this fine and complete set of drawing/draughtsman instruments boasts the added bonus of paints, inking and calligraphy pens, pencil, brushes, tacks, eraser and rulers.

Trade label in gold to the interior of the lid reads: “Gould and Porter, Successor to Cary, Opticians and Mathematical Inst. Makers by Special Appointment to the Admiralty War Office, 181 Strand, London” . The transition and re-naming of the Company occured in 1856.

This set belonged to one Arthur J. Salter as indicated by the cartouche inset in the lid and by three of the writing instruments inside. The set is complete and matching and even includes a set of proportional dividers marked “Cary, London”. In addition to the artist supplies there is a 6 inch ebony parallel rule and bone Gunter-type proportional ruler. The 9 paints are by Winsor & Newton Lim’d (unusual abbreviation of Ltd.). There is a folding boxwood and brass 4 section, 1 foot ruler as well (later).

As far a drawing sets go, this is the set to own. Rarely are they this complete or complex, signed and with provenance. Although there is a shrinkage crack to both the top and bottom panels, they are stable due to the thickness of the wood.