$800
Boxed Pre-Civil War Ship's Boat Compass, "ROBERT MERRILL, NEW YORK," c. 1855, the dry card compass housed in a glazed brass trunion mount, further mounted in a green-painted pine box with sliding lid, ht. 6 5/8, 10 x 10 in. Note: Boxed compasses were standard equipment in the larger Navy ship's boats which required over-the-horizon navigation. Robert Merrill began business in New York as a "Mathematical Instrument Maker" in 1835, he began business under his own name in 1840 and continued until 1865 when he took his sons into partnership, and the firm name changed to Robert Merrill & Sons. Merrill was noted for making binnacles and compasses, and also imported and sold nautical instruments. His works are on display in museums, and there are extensive listings of him and his sons in the Webster Instrument Makers Database.
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2006-02-19
