Description

An anodized bronze T frame sextant with ivory scale and vernier with 8 inch radius and 8 inch arc circle.

Housed in it’s original keystone shaped mahogany case (11 x 11 x 4 1/2 inches), this instrument shows little signs of use although it has travelled over half of the World in it’s lifetime. Signed “Solomon Marks, 107 Bute Docks, Cardiff” (not found in Clifton), it boasts excellent primary and secondary mirrors, 4 square and 3 round light filters, a sighting tube and telescopic tube, adjusting pin and solar eyepiece filter.

The ivory scale runs out to 115 degrees and the vernier to 20 degrees (accurate to 1 arc second), sliding and locking knob with worm and screw below.  Ebony wood handle and swinging vernier reading magnifier attached to radius arm. Perfect condition and legible, as is the mahogany case with both hooks intact (no key-will look). A rare combination of construction materials from an obscure maker. I have found two other instruments signed by Solomon Marks and Co. (1860), but none other exclusively by Solomon Marks. The instrument size and construction is an enigma.

The instrument is English (Welsh) but travelled to San Francisco, USA a decade later and was retailed by Charles Pace, 418 Battery Place, Chronometer and Watch Manufacturer from London (1862). Thereby descent to (D). L. Reed of Maine (typo? Captain?) and finally Donald J. Lynn in 1967. There is a ships Master Charles L. Reed who frequently made voyages between Maine/New York and San Francisco aboard the clipper ship Storm King (built in Maine) and set a speed record that held for many years c. 1870. Future Captain Charles A. Reed was BORN aboard Storm King, Jan. 11, 1885. Great potential provenance for this unique instrument with a few gaps for further research. Original paperwork included.

CITES/IVORY EXEMPTION NUMBER TQ9TV6AB