A unique early 18th-Century pearwood-mounted plane-table compass,

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Details

A unique early 18th-Century pearwood-mounted plane-table compass,
signed in manuscript John Harrison 1718, the 10.2cm. (4in.) diameter glazed dial with blued-iron needle with brass cap and manuscript paper dial in ink showing a sixteen-point wind rose with East and West transposed, and a 360° circumference scale with 1° subdivisions, with a T-shaped handle and mounting hole (glass cracked, some staining to card) -- 20.9cm. (8¼in.) long

See Illustrations

Literature

KENN, M.J., "John Harrison's Unusual and Unique Magnetic Compass", British Sundial Society Bulletin, vol.14 (ii) (London, June 2002) pp 81-82

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium, which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

John Harrison (1693-1776) is of course best known for his chronometers, the first instruments for accurately measuring longitude at sea. Harrison made this compass at the age of 25, and it bears similarities to Walter Hayes' plane-table compass of 1664, held by the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich, and to George Adams' mid-eighteenth century plane table compasses. The signature and lettering on the dial have been authenticated as being in Harrison's hand.

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