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Nautical survey magnetic compass signed Elliott Bros London late 1800s
About the Item
Rare magnetic nautical surveying compass, brass, late 19th century signed Elliott Bros London complete with leather case. This is a small compass, 7 cm diameter, typically used in recreational sailing, thus on boats less prone to magnetic deviation. It can also be held in the hand and thus away from the magnetic fields of the boat. It’s equipped with a sighting system with target complete with optical prism for magnification and a goniometric eight-wind rose on paper so that the angle between the line of sight and the north indicated by the magnetic needle can be measured. Complete with wind rose block. Bon état. 7 cm diameter - inches 2.8, thickness cm 2 - inches 0.8.
Elliott Brothers was a renowned manufacturer of scientific instruments in London between 1853 and 1873. The company was founded in 1804 by William Elliott and was one of the leading manufacturers of scientific instruments in the 19th century. In 1850 William Elliott joined his sons Frederick and Charles, and the company became Elliott & sons: it was headquartered at 56 Strand in London. The firm Elliott & sons presented its instruments at the Great Fair of 1851, winning medals for electric telegraphs, globes, maps and drawing instruments. Frederick and Charles took over the firm in 1853, and it then became Elliott Brothers: while their father specialized in drawing instruments, they expanded the product range, making, for example, mathematical, optical and meteorological instruments.
The Greeks and the Romans were still unaware of the possibility of harnessing magnetic fields for orientation, while it seems that this possibility was already somewhat known to the Chinese: around 2600 B.C. Emperor Hoang-Ti was able to overcome Prince Tchi-Yeou in battle thanks to a "magic" chariot, the See-Nan (chariot pointing south). The emperor, thanks to this device, identified the enemy's escape route, despite the fact that the enemy had concealed it through a blanket of smoke: fixed on the chariot was a human-shaped wooden silhouette that rotated on itself and, with its arm outstretched, always pointed south (pointing south of course was also pointing north at the same time, but south was considered by the Chinese to be the most important cardinal point). The Chinese also used their discoveries related to magnetic fields as a form of entertainment and spectacle: they would throw magnetized arrows as if they were dice, and these would line up in a south-north direction as if by magic, which greatly impressed and amazed the spectators.
The last photo is the gift box.
- Dimensions:Height: 0.8 in (2.04 cm)Diameter: 2.8 in (7.12 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1890
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Milan, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1020238637142
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- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Milan, Italy
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