$1,500
Surveyor's Mahogany Plane Table Compass by Benjamin Martin, with four-inch engraved paper dial marked B. Martin, London , depicting the globe with continents (except Australia) labeled, coasts hatched and originally shaded, the intersection of the cardinal compass points located over London, the islands Ceylon, Madagascar and St. Helena labeled, in addition to the Caspian Sea, the Red Sea, the Straits of Gibraltar, Great Britain, Ireland and C. Florida, with fleur-de-lis at North, Roman chapter ring, primary and seconday points, brass compass ring divided 0-90 in four quadrants, and turned mahogany compass box with brass bezel, lg. 8 1/2 in., (missing glass and needle, some foxing and stains on paper). Literature: Benjamin Martin is listed in business in London between 1738 - 1777. A similar compass is illustrated in John R. Milburn (1986), Retailer of the Sciences . Paper toned, water stain bottom left, missing glass and needle.
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2008-08-23
