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Dry Compass

19th Century Compass by Robert Merrill
Located in Norwell, MA
19th century compass by Robert Merrill, dry compass card mounted to timber box on a gimbal. Sliding
Category

Antique Late 19th Century North American Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

Lifeboat Binnacle by Negus
Located in Norwell, MA
Lifeboat binnacle by Negus of New York. Brass housing, mounted to a mahogany baseboard, dry compass
Category

Antique 19th Century Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

Yacht Binnacle by Ludolph
Located in Norwell, MA
Ludolph yacht binnacle with brass cap and ornately cast iron stand. Two side burners, dry compass
Category

20th Century Nautical Objects

Yacht Binnacle by Ludolph
Yacht Binnacle by Ludolph
H 30 in W 15 in D 14 in
American Mahogany and Brass Ship Binnacle, Riggs & Brothers, Phila. Circa 1880
By Riggs & Brothers
Located in Charleston, SC
American mahogany ship binnacle with a brass-mounted dome helmet, internal dry compass by Ritchie
Category

Antique 1880s American American Empire Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

Yacht Binnacle from Italy Circa 1880 with Dry Card Compass
Located in Norwell, MA
Yacht binnacle of a very unique and rare design. With Italian compass on gimbals. Mushroom style
Category

Antique 1880s Italian Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

Rare Telltale Ships Compass
Located in Norwell, MA
Ship captains telltale ships compass on gimbal. Dry card compass by Van Der Voort, 34 Brewers Canal
Category

Antique 1890s European Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

Pre World War I Nautical Compass by E.S.Ritchie
Located in Norwich, GB
bearing compasses for the U.S.Navy before the American civil war. At the time the British admiralty dry
Category

Vintage 1910s Nautical Objects

Materials

Copper

Pre World War 1 Nautical Compass by E.S.Ritchie
By E.S. Ritchie & Co
Located in Norwich, GB
admiralty dry mounted nautical compasses were considered by all navies and commercial shipping companies as
Category

Antique Early 1900s Nautical Objects

Materials

Copper

Premium Ships Binnacle by Whyte Thomson & Co’s
Located in Norwell, MA
varnished base. Polished and lacquered mushroom style hood and compass cowl. Very rare dry card compass on
Category

Antique 1860s European Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

Recent Sales

Antique Nautical Twin Dolphin American Dry Card Compass Display
Located in Palm City, FL
Shown is an interesting antique compass made by the American instrument maker, D. Baker of Boston
Category

Antique 19th Century American Scientific Instruments

Antique Box Compass by Thaxter
Located in Norwell, MA
Brass gimballed compass fastened to dove-tailed wooden box by Thaxter and Son of Boston. Dry
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Nautical Objects

Antique Box Compass by Thaxter
Antique Box Compass by Thaxter
H 5 in W 5 in D 5 in
Early 1900s Boxed Compass
Located in Norwell, MA
Early 1900s boxed compass by Durkee. Stamped Serial No. S2246, dry compass card reads abbreviated
Category

Early 20th Century Nautical Objects

Early 1900s Boxed Compass
Early 1900s Boxed Compass
H 3.5 in W 5.5 in L 3.5 in
Mid-19th Century Boxed Compass
Located in Norwell, MA
Mid-19th century boxed compass by Samuel Thaxter of Boston. Dry compass card, brass housing, fitted
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Nautical Objects

Mid-19th Century Boxed Compass
Mid-19th Century Boxed Compass
H 3.5 in W 5 in D 5 in
19th Century Boxed Compass
Located in Norwell, MA
Style: Boxed compass Size: 9" x 9" x 6 1/2", dry compass card diameter: 5 1/2"
Category

Antique 19th Century Nautical Objects

19th Century Boxed Compass
19th Century Boxed Compass
H 6.5 in W 9 in D 9 in
Boxed Compass by Wilcox Crittenden
Located in Norwell, MA
Wilcox Crittenden boxed compass with brass gimbal and dry compass card mounted into a dovetailed
Category

Antique 19th Century Nautical Objects

Compass in Its Original Turned Brass Box of the Mid-19th Century
Located in Milan, IT
Dry compass placed in its original turned brass box with a protection glass. English manufacture of
Category

Antique 1850s British Scientific Instruments

American Compass Placed in Its Original Box of Turned Brass
By S. Thaxter & Son
Located in Milan, IT
Dry compass placed in its original box of turned brass enclosed by a protective glass and complete
Category

Antique 1890s American Scientific Instruments

Lifeboat Binnacle by Negus
Located in Norwell, MA
Lifeboat binnacle by Negus of New York. Brass housing, mounted to a mahogany baseboard, dry compass
Category

Antique 19th Century Nautical Objects

Brass Compass First Half of the 19th Century Mounted on a Walnut Wooden Base
By Blake & Son Gosport
Located in Milan, IT
Brass and glass dry compass on universal joint signed Blake & Son Gosport made in the first half of
Category

Antique 1840s British Nautical Objects

John Bliss Binnacle
Located in Norwell, MA
Brass binnacle by John Bliss & Co of NY. Dry compass card. Side burners. Fixed brass wheel with
Category

20th Century Nautical Objects

John Bliss Binnacle
John Bliss Binnacle
H 48 in W 20 in D 16 in
Binnacle Compass Mahogany and Brass End of the 19th century
Located in Milan, IT
with handle for transportation. Inside there is a dry compass signed J. Blowey plymouth mounted on
Category

Antique 1890s British Nautical Objects

Materials

Wood

1900s Brass Magnetic Compass Signed Sestrel Antique Maritime Navigation Tool
Located in Milan, IT
Brass and glass dry compass on universal joint signed Sestrel made in the first half of the 19th
Category

Antique Early 1900s Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

British Royal Navy Brass Dry Card Compass, Circa 1870
Located in Charleston, SC
British Royal Navy brass dry card compass with original side light burner, hinged viewing port, and
Category

Antique 19th Century British Nautical Objects

Dry Magnetic Compass Signed J. S. Stockholm, Early 19th Century
Located in Milan, IT
Dry magnetic compass placed in its original wooden case green painted, compass card with eight
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Dry Pocket Nautical Compass Placed in Its Original Box Made of Turned Brass
Located in Milan, IT
Small dry pocket nautical compass placed in its original box made of turned brass, complete with
Category

Antique 1860s British Nautical Objects

Boat Compass
Located in Norwell, MA
Antique boat dry card compass mounted into timber, dovetail box via gimbal by C.R. Sherman
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Nautical Objects

Boat Compass
Boat Compass
H 8.5 in W 4.25 in D 3.5 in
Authentic Nautical Compass
Located in Norwell, MA
Authentic nautical dry card compass by Wilcox Crittenden. Brass bezel mounted to a timber
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Nautical Objects

Authentic Nautical Compass
Authentic Nautical Compass
H 4.75 in W 4.75 in L 4.75 in
Robert Merill & Sons Ship's Compass
Located in Norwell, MA
Mid-19th century ship's compass with dry card from Robert Merrrill and Sons, New York. Fitted to a
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Scientific Instruments

Robert Merill & Sons Ship's Compass
Robert Merill & Sons Ship's Compass
H 6.5 in W 10 in D 10 in
Chrome Yacht Binnacle Ritchie
Located in Norwell, MA
Chrome yacht binnacle with dry card, gimbaled compass by Ritchie. Glass window. Removable hood
Category

20th Century Nautical Objects

Ship's Binnacle with Unique Tapered Mahogany Base by English Maker
Located in Norwell, MA
Ship's binnacle with awesome tapered base and heavy brass base collar. Highly polished hood. Dry
Category

Vintage 1930s British Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

Rare Dry Compass, Kelvin and Hughes, England, Early 1900s
Located in Nantucket, MA
This is a rare dry compass made by Kelvin and Hughes, England, from the early 1900s, brass. It sits
Category

Early 20th Century English Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

English Antique Nautical Dry Compass, by George Christian, Liverpool
By George Christian
Located in Delft, NL
English antique nautical dry compass, by George Christian, Liverpool Antique late 19th century
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

1860 English Antique Brass Nautical Magnetic Dry Compass in Original Wooden Box
Located in Milan, IT
Dry compass in its original wooden box with slot lid. English manufacture from the second half of
Category

Antique 1860s British Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

1850s Nautical Dry Compass Signed C.E.H. Antique Original Navigation Instrument
Located in Milan, IT
Dry compass placed in its original wooden box with slot lid. Signed C.E.H. from the mid of the 19th
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

Brass Desk Compass
Located in Norwell, MA
Dry compass card, brass lid. Dimensions: 3" D, 1.5" H.
Category

20th Century Nautical Objects

Brass Desk Compass
Brass Desk Compass
H 1.5 in Dm 3 in
Brass Box Compass by Wilcox Crittenden
Located in Norwell, MA
Brass box compass by Wilcox Crittenden. Dry compass card, fitted to a varnished wood box with
Category

20th Century Nautical Objects

Brass Box Compass by Wilcox Crittenden
Brass Box Compass by Wilcox Crittenden
H 4.75 in W 4.75 in D 4.75 in
Early Brass Compass by Snow & Neally
Located in Norwell, MA
Early brass compass by Snow & Neally of Bangor, Maine. Brass bezel, dry compass card, stamped
Category

20th Century Nautical Objects

Iron Boxed Compass by Star of Boston
Located in Norwell, MA
Iron box compass by Star of Boston. Dry compass card reads "Star Pattened Milton, Mass."
Category

20th Century Nautical Objects

Pocket Compass Used by RAF Officers in the WWI
Located in Milan, IT
, used by RAF officers during the First World War. It is a dry compass with a chromed brass snap closure
Category

Vintage 1910s British Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

1870s English Dry Nautical Compass Original Wooden Box Signed Mc Innels Glasgow
Located in Milan, IT
Dry compass in its original wooden box with slot lid. English manufacture from the second half of
Category

Antique 1870s British Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

End XIX Century Dry Nautical Magnetic Compass Antique Marine Navigation Device
Located in Milan, IT
Dry compass placed in its original wooden box. English manufacture from the end of the 19th century
Category

Antique 1890s Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

Compass Lilley & Reynolds Ltd London Made in 1930s in Its Original Wooden Box
Located in Milan, IT
Magnetic dry compass of the 1930s, on universal joint, in its original wooden box complete with
Category

Vintage 1930s British Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

1860 German Magnetic Nautical Compass in Its Original Wooden Box with Slot Lid
Located in Milan, IT
Large dry compass placed in its original wooden box with slot lid. Signed AUG. CARSTENS Hamburg
Category

Antique 1860s German Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique Box Compass
Located in Norwell, MA
Antique nautical box dry card compass. Box is 5 x 5 x 4. Compass face diameter is 3".
Category

Antique 19th Century Nautical Objects

Antique Box Compass
Antique Box Compass
H 5 in W 5 in D 5 in
19th Century Brass Compass Antique Marine Navigation Instrument Nautical Antique
Located in Milan, IT
Dry little compass placed in its original turned brass box with a protection glass. English
Category

Antique 1880s Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

Lord Kelvin Bottomley & Baird Threaded Nautical Compass Display
Located in Palm City, FL
Here is a very important English dry card compass made by Kelvin, Bottomley & Bard. It is based on
Category

Early 20th Century British Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Kelvin, Bottomley & Baird Giant Ship's Threaded Nautical Compass
Located in Palm City, FL
A very important and rare English dry card compass made by Kelvin, Bottomley & Baird is presented
Category

Antique 19th Century English Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass

Antique Ship's Captain Nautical Tell Tale Compass
Located in Palm City, FL
Shown is a truly fine dry card tell tale compass. It has a paper card which has the directions
Category

Antique 19th Century American Scientific Instruments

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Royal Italian Writing Desk and Armchair
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Antique 19th Century Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

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Royal Italian Writing Desk and Armchair
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H 32.75 in W 54.5 in D 33 in
Original 17th Century Andrea Brustolon Hand Carved Italian Walnut Armchair
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Fabergé Style Bejewelled and Enamelled Gold Egg by Asprey
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Antique Sterling Silver Canteen of Cutlery for Twelve Persons
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American Brass Nautical Ship Wheel Mounted on Geared Pedestal w/ Rope Base 1890
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American brass nautical ship wheel with a central circular brass hub, eight brass spindles with bulbous handles, solid brass geared pedestal, rudder indicator arrow, and mounted on a...
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Antique 1890s American American Empire Nautical Objects

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American Gilt Carved Wood and Poly Chromed Roman Guard Figurehead, Circa 1890
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American gilt carved wood and poly chromed nautical figurehead of Roman guard in military attire. Late 19th century.
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American Polished Steel Sky Light Binnacle with Rope Carved Base, Phil. C. 1880
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Antique 1880s American American Empire Nautical Objects

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Polyphon Autochange Disk Music Box
Polyphon Autochange Disk Music Box
H 85 in W 35 in D 21.75 in
Pair of American Nautical Polished Steel and Brass Ship Lanterns, NY C. 1880
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of American Nautical port & starboard polished steel and brass ship lanterns with the original red and blue Fresnel lenses, flanking vented dome finials, exterior protective cag...
Category

Antique 1880s American American Empire Lanterns

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Dry Compass For Sale on 1stDibs

Find many varieties of an authentic dry compass available at 1stDibs. Frequently made of metal, wood and brass, every dry compass was constructed with great care. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect dry compass — we have versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. A dry compass made by Art Deco designers — as well as those associated with Georgian — is very popular. Many designers have produced at least one well-made dry compass over the years, but those crafted by E.S. Ritchie & Co, François Linke and Rene Gabriel are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a Dry Compass?

Prices for a dry compass can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $799 and can go as high as $28,900, while the average can fetch as much as $4,685.