"HADLEY'S QUADRANT," UNKNOWN ENGLISH"HADLEY'S QUADRANT," UNKNOWN ENGLISH MAKER 2nd half 18th century: actually, an octant, type used by British and American navigators during the Revolutionary War period; ebony frame with engraved brass mounts; 17 1/4 in. H.
BROWNING BRASS AND EBONY OCTANTAmericanBROWNING BRASS AND EBONY OCTANTAmerican Brass and Ebony Octant , c. 1820, marked "Browning maker Boston",nameplate and degree arc (0-95), three swing filters, 13-inch radius, w. 11 1/2 in Provenance: Collection of Brooke and Maria Fox, Metairie, LA.
MARKS & SON BRASS OCTANT FITTEDMARKS & SON BRASS OCTANT FITTED IN MAHOGANY CASEEnglish Brass Octant Fitted in Mahogany Case , c. 1845, signed "Marks & Son, Cardiff",9 3/4 in. index arm with swing-away magnifier and fine adjustment; four index shades, horizon glass, three horizon shades; silver vernier, two telescopes, ebony handle; mahogany case with paper label of retailer "F. Wiggins & Sons...London", case h. 5 in., w. 11 in, d. 10 1/2 in
OCTANT BY GILBERT & SONS, LONDONOCTANT BY GILBERT & SONS, LONDON AND OTHER PROPERTY OF JOHN ADAMS LATE 18TH/EARLY 19TH CENTURYOCTANT BY GILBERT & SONS, LONDON AND OTHER PROPERTY OF JOHN ADAMS, Late 18th/Early 19th Century, Collection of John Adams (1757-1807), of Edmonton, England, who maintained a practice of instruction in navigation and mathematics. Descended directly through his family. Included are his fine octant, a framed engraving of himself, a group of letters in his possession and a splendid silver medal he was awarded. 1) Ebony and brass "T" frame octant, circa 1806, signed "Gilbert & Sons London" on the 12" brass radius arm. Fitted with screw clamp, inset ivory 0-90 degree scale, pinhole sight, solar filters, auxiliary telescope with eyepiece, fine rotary adjustment of the index mirror rather than the horizon mirror, handle and feet. Complete with original keystone-shaped box with the partial trade label of "Gilbert & Sons, late Gilbert & Wright, No. 148 Leadenhall Street ..." selling "Improved achromatic plated and brass telescopes, Octants...". The octant dates from 1806, when "Gilbert & Sons" took over from "Gilbert & Wright". Length of radius arm 12". Scale arc 9.5". 2) Print of John Adams by J.T. Smith, published in 1795, with a paper fragment showing the signature "J. Adams". (Fragment previously attached to the back of the print.) Framed 11" x 13". 3) Group of letters that reveal astronomical and mathematical practices of the day. One, written in 1779 to an unknown recipient, is from Jonathan Wheatcroft of Paxford (in the Cotswolds), reporting on his failure to observe a new comet, even with his "2-1/2" Foot Improved Achromatic Dollond telescope. Another is from Charles Small of Ferryhill, writing to Jonathan Lindsay of London, discussing complicated problems in plane geometry, complete with proof and various kind words about colleagues and family. Complete with remains of a wax seal, and early postal markings. 4) Silver presentation medal "Arts and Commerce Promoted", inscribed "To Mr. John Adams, 1785" for "Artificial Horizon Improved". In the Society's records, twelve pages were devoted to Adams' improvement. In seeking an instrument capable of measuring arcs up to 180 degrees, for use with his new horizon, Adams turned "to Messrs. Gilbert & Wright, who immediately presented me with an improved Quadrant, by which the fore and back observations are equally facile and just". Medal in excellent condition, in its original wood case lined in green velvet and covered in shagreen. Diameter 1.75". Provenance: John Adams, and thence by descent through the Adams family.Gorrings, East Susex, United Kingdom, April 2007.Acquired by Tesseract, Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, at the above sale.Acquired by the Kelton Foundation from the above, March 2008.The Kelton Collection of Marine Art & Artifacts.John Adams worked in Edmonton, Middlesex, seven miles north of London. In 1782 he revised and corrected James Atkinson's epitome of the Whole Art of Navigation. In his preface of that year, Adams explains "The present reviser, having been eight years in the fea fervice, and eighteen a teacher of this art, enables him to say ... that he has now rectified what was amifs; alterered [sic] what was diforderly; explained what was obfcure; ftruck out what was not abfolutely neceffary; and copioufly added where it was wanting, ...".
A Sextant (Vernir Type) ca. 1900-1910A Sextant (Vernir Type) ca. 1900-1910 in Mahogany Fitted Chest Sextant engraved on arc "HEATH &CO. NEW ELTHAM LONDON". Made for Taylor & Taylor San Francisco. Plate on Tangent arm "HEZZANITH-ENDLESS TANGET SCREW-AUTOMATIC CLAMP." Box has the name "H.J. Dieble".
An English Ebony Octant
19th Century
withAn English Ebony Octant
19th Century
with swing-arm vernier, the arc divided 0-100 with anchor mark at 50, in a shaped oak case with applied paper retailer label for John Bruce, Liverpool.
Length 14 inches.
Property from a Private Collector, Lincolnwood, Illinois
A box sextant,Carl Zeiss, Jena, fittedA box sextant,Carl Zeiss, Jena, fitted stained wood box with original instruction manual, 33cm w
ENGLISH NAVIGATION OCTANT W/ CASEHaywardENGLISH NAVIGATION OCTANT W/ CASEHayward Harris and Grier, London navigation octant, comprised of brass and glass, the frame with inlaid steel scale to graduated arc, a smaller vernier scale on the index arm with two tangent screws, magnifying glass, sunshades, horizon glass, index mirror, and handle. Also includes two (2) brass telescopes of varying sizes, three (3) glass bottles, two (2) with lids, and one (1) piece of red satin, all housed in a wooden case with brass hardware and a hinged lid. Octant: 8 1/4" H x 9 1/2" W x 4" D. Case: 9 1/2" H x 12" W x 5" D. Late 19th/early 20th century.
Condition:
Overall good condition with expected tarnishing, oxidation to metal. All glass pieces appear to be intact. Some dents to metal lids. General wear to case.
A Rare Octant/Quadrant ca. 1760-1810A Rare Octant/Quadrant ca. 1760-1810 BT Browning & Rust London Manufactured by Spencer Browning & Rust London (1790-1810 ) complete with wedge shaped mahogany box. Samuel Thaxter Trade label no. 125 State St. Boston Mass. Ebony frame ivory scales and brass fittings.
WORLD WAR II-ERA AIRCRAFT BUBBLEWORLD WAR II-ERA AIRCRAFT BUBBLE A-10A SEXTANT BY LINK AMERICA, CIRCA 1942 BOX HEIGHT 5.5". WIDTH 9.25". DEPTH 9".WORLD WAR II-ERA AIRCRAFT BUBBLE A-10A SEXTANT BY LINK, America, Circa 1942, By Fairchild Camera and Instrument. Signed and identified with a maker's plate on the drum with serial number and other details. Sextant incorporates an eyepiece sighting an artificial bubble horizon with two built-in sun filters and is electrically lit for use at night. A micrometer drum provides readout to one minute of arc. The A-10A has an integral electric averager with a continuous one-second pulse and recording disk. The sextant has a calibration report mechanism to record the position of the micrometer drum during each of the observation periods and compensates for the motion of the navigator's platform. Within the original mahogany case with battery pack and connecting wire. Dimensions: Box height 5.5". Width 9.25". Depth 9". Provenance: The Kelton Collection of Marine Art & Artifacts.Notes:The A-10A sextant is a handheld precision instrument, ideally suited to light airplane use. They are compact, lightweight, simple and rugged yet accurate instruments, made mainly of brass and aluminum.
Probably mid 19th century lackingProbably mid 19th century lacking signature the 1.5-inch terrestrial globe covered with 12-gore printed paper map surrounded by a series of seven interlocking printed paper-covered wooden armillary rings representing the circles of the heavens including equinoctial line and Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn intersected by polar colures representing solstices and equinoxes full-meridian marked with degrees of elevation at the North and South poles and climates according to month and horizon band showing the Gregorian and Zodiacal calendars over two half-rings printed with latitudes and longitudes of major cities on a turned ebonized wood stand 18.5'' H x 12'' Dia.
Plath Sextant German, mid 20thPlath Sextant German, mid 20th century, black frame with calibrated brass arc, 5-1/4 x 10 in., in dovetailed case with lock and key, interior with two tools, original receipt and instructions,
Brass and wood sextant, brass arcBrass and wood sextant, brass arc marked "Th. Wegener, Berlin No. 236", in finger-jointed mahogany brass mounted case with Dutch label dated 1953, in a 5 x 11 x 11 in. case with multiple lenses and accessories. Sextant with scattered light corrosion and paint loss, appears to be in good working order; case with separations and stains. Private Collection, Delaware
A Rare Octant with Inlaid IvoryA Rare Octant with Inlaid Ivory Scale G. Heath London Brass octant (vernier type ) with inlaid ivory scale ebony grip. Finely dovetailed mahogany box.
Aircraft Sextant, Astro CompassAircraft Sextant, Astro Compass and Wooden Boxes to include model A-10A serial no. AF 44-17167 order no. W30-053 ac 1470 spec. no. E320-K1 aircraft sextant, an astro-compass MK II, manufacturer's assembly part no. D500, contract no. W535-AC36492 Sperti. Inc. Cincinnati, Ohio along with (2) wooden boxes and (2) metal powder flasks.
R. C. A. F. Bubble Sextant MarkR. C. A. F. Bubble Sextant Mark IXA mid 20th century reference no. 6B/218 cased used in navigation on aircraft to determine the altitude of the sun or other celestial body 10.5" (height) 26.7cm (height)
Brass Surveyors Sextant 8''Brass Surveyors Sextant 8''
Three instruments: 6 x 6 in. FairchildThree instruments: 6 x 6 in. Fairchild U.S. Army sextant, black finish, label "Property Air Forces U.S. Army Type A-10, ... No. E320 D1", original green-painted wooden case, 5-1/2 x 9 x 9 in., possibly lacking accessories ; 7 in. Boyce-Meier sextant, black-painted metal, pasteboard case with instructions; U.S. Navy azimuth circle, black-painted brass, marked "4340-1941", 10-1/2 in., in finger-jointed mahogany case, brass label "U.S. Navy Bureau of Ships, Serial 16003 …", 4-3/8 x 11-3/4 x 11-1/2 in., good condition, normal wear . The Collection of the Late Ronald Kiser, Mars Hill, North Carolina
ANTIQUE SEXTANTAntique rosewoodANTIQUE SEXTANTAntique rosewood or ebony wood sextant with bone scale and plate circa 1820. Unsigned. 15 x 13 inches.
Marine Sextant in Box with otherMarine Sextant in Box with other equipment.
SEXTANT, SPENCER BROWNING & CO.SEXTANT, SPENCER BROWNING & CO. , LONDON. EARLY19th century. Ebony and brass, engraved bone dial. Lenses intact. In its original fitted oak case. Sextant measures 12" x 9 1/2". Good condition
Brass and wood sextant, brass arcBrass and wood sextant, brass arc marked "Th. Wegener, Berlin #236", in finger jointed mahogany brass mounted case with Dutch label dated 1956, in a 5 x 11 x 11-1/2 in. case with multiple lenses and accessories. Sextant with scattered light corrosion and paint loss, appears to be in good working order; case with separations and stains. Private Collection, Delaware.
18TH CENTURY ARABIC QUADRANT FROM18TH CENTURY ARABIC QUADRANT FROM THE MAGHREB REGION OF NORTHWEST AFRICA CIRCA 1776 HEIGHT 7.5". WIDTH OF ARC 10.25".18TH CENTURY ARABIC QUADRANT FROM THE MAGHREB REGION OF NORTHWEST AFRICA, Circa 1776, Signed in Arabic along one of the sight vanes "Made by the little slave of his Lord, Ahmad b'Ali Marsil, year one thousand one hundred and ninety" (1190 A.H., equivalent to 1776-77 A.D.). One side of the brass plate with an engraved astrolabe quadrant with data for 35 degrees north latitude. This line of latitude runs through the Maghreb Region in Northwest Africa, which comprises current-day Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. One of the radial edges has been cut with a long indentation to provide two "sight" vanes, and a plumb bob is attached by a string to the apex. There is also a horary quadrant for unequal hours marked at the apex. Extensive astronomical and mathematical plots are engraved on the surface including a stereographic projection of the sky with astrological symbols, various star positions and the elliptic and azimuth lines. These plots enable the quadrant's use as a computer to find rising and setting times and positions of the sun, the constellations and bright stars, as well as the time of day or night, and other solutions for problems in practical astronomy. Reverse with a sine quadrant, which has been covered by a reinforcing board and back plate with a roundel inscribed "From the work of as-sayyid Ahmad b, Ali Marsil, may God have mercy". This suggests the modification was made by the original maker. At the bottom, the quadrant has an index of 0-90 for taking sights. The quadrant sight used gravity to align the plumb bob with the index reading when the celestial body was observed by eye over the top of the instrument along the sighting vanes. The string was then clamped by the observer's finger against the index, and the angle read. Dimensions: Height 7.5". Width of arc 10.25". Provenance: Sotheby's, London, The Frank Collection of Scientific Instruments, 1986.The Kelton Collection of Marine Art & Artifacts.Notes:Since no horizon need be visually sighted (like with the later bubble sextant), this instrument could be used for star sights at night and on land where the horizon was not observable. The reading did not have to be compensated for the altitude of the observer -- the calculation of which was very controversial. The cast shadow method was used to measure the sun's altitude. The basic design of the instrument is of ancient origin. A graduated circle was the earliest instrument for measuring the altitudes of heavenly bodies precisely. It was Ptolemy who first suggested the measurement could be made with a quarter circle or quadrant. The quadrant reproduces data from the entire sky. It is conceptually formed by taking the circle of the sky with all required data, folding it on the East-West line, then folding the resulting semi-circle on the North-South line. Thus the four quadrants of the full circle, with their data, are superimposed over one another. In use it is necessary to select the curves and data appropriate to the quadrant addressed. As a maritime instrument, the quadrant could have been in use by Arab navigators in the Indian Ocean centuries before the Portuguese arrived, although at sea, stabilizing the plumb bob on a rolling deck was a problem in obtaining an accurate sight.The 35 degrees north latitude seems to be the most central latitude bisecting the Islamic world. It passes through Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, along the southern Mediterranean through Crete and Cyprus, then into Syria, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Northern India before extending on into China and points east. Although the latitude information constrains the use of the quadrant as an astronomical computer to the latitude for which the data is inscribed, it can be used anywhere in the world for measuring the altitude of the sun, moon and stars, the primary measurement required to determine one's latitude. The 90 degree scale inscribed at the bottom is for this function.
CAPTAIN MOSES COLMAN'S OCTANT,CAPTAIN MOSES COLMAN'S OCTANT, BINOCULARS AND DIVIDERSCAPTAIN MOSES COLMAN'S OCTANT, BINOCULARS AND DIVIDERS, Late 18th Century ebony T-frame octant, unsigned, with an inset ivory scale calibrated from -5 - 95 and a 17" brass index arm with ivory vernier reading from right to left "0 5 10 15 20", providing a reading with an accuracy of 1 arc minute. The index arm has a tangent screw fine adjustment feature introduced in the Late 18th Century. Fitted with dual peephole sight, three colored filters, mirrors, brass feet and other details, but it is missing the ivory name plate. The painted black box is heavily worn commensurate with use and age. Lot also includes Colman's brass navigational dividers, length 7", and his binoculars with shagreen-covered grips, length 7.25" and width 5", signed on each eyepiece "LeMaire Fab - Paris". Provenance: The Kelton Collection of Marine Art & Artifacts.Notes:Captain Moses Rich Colman was born in Scituate, Massachusetts in 1807. He went to sea at the age of nine, held his first command circa 1842, and retired in 1864. He commanded the schooner "Manson", the brig "Sarah", the bark "Sarah", and the medium clipper "Asa Eldridge" from 1857 to 1864. During the Civil War he remained out of the country with his ship for 43 months, partly to avoid capture by the Confederate raider "Alabama". He never lost or suffered severe damage to any ship he commanded.
1768 DANIEL SAXBEY ENGRAVED BRASS1768 DANIEL SAXBEY ENGRAVED BRASS AND MAHOGANY OCTANT1768 Daniel Saxbey Engraved Brass and Mahogany Octant
19 ¼ in. x 16 in.
Condition:
Items may have wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Please contact the gallery for further details prior to bidding. Any condition statement given as a courtesy should not be treated as fact.
SEXTANT, SPENCER BROWNING & CO.,SEXTANT, SPENCER BROWNING & CO., LONDON, EARLY19th c. Ebony and brass, engraved bone dial. Lenses intact. In its original fitted oak case. Sextant measures 12" x 9 1/2".
Ebony and Brass Octant James WhyteEbony and Brass Octant James Whyte Glasgow 19th century the signed instrument with ivory vernier and scale in shaped mahogany case with maker s label 12.25" (height) 31.1cm (height) 11.5" (width) 29.2cm (width) 3.75" (depth) 9.5cm (depth)
A sextant by Cary, no. 2445, inA sextant by Cary, no. 2445, in a fitted mahogany case
TWO US ARMY AIR FORCE SEXTANTSTWO US ARMY AIR FORCE SEXTANTS Model A-10A, with accessories and fitted wooden cases. Together with a group of vintage family photos.
CASED OCTANT LONDON, 19TH CENTURYCASED OCTANT LONDON, 19TH CENTURY CASE 14” X 13.25”.CASED OCTANT, London, 19th Century, Signed "Spencer Browning & Rust London". Ebonized wood frame with brass mounts. Wedge-shaped wooden case with two paper labels. Includes papers suggesting the octant was owned by Edwin A. Luce, master of clipper ship Onward, 1856. Additional information about this lot may be found on the Hellman Collection website, number REH435. Dimensions: Case 14" x 13.25". Provenance: The Collection of Bob and Nina Hellman, Nantucket, Massachusetts.
FRENCH CASED BRASS OCTANT LATEFRENCH CASED BRASS OCTANT LATE 19TH CENTURY CASE 13" X 12".FRENCH CASED BRASS OCTANT, Late 19th Century, Marked "Devot Au Harve". Wedge-shaped wooden case. Dimensions: Case 13" x 12".
19TH CENTURY OCTANT, DARK EBONY19TH CENTURY OCTANT, DARK EBONY WOOD, WORKINGCONDITION WITH ALL LENSES INTACT, BUT NEEDS CLEANING. MAKER’S PLAQUE IS MISSING. 14" X 11 1/2" X 2" DEEP. COMES WITH ORIGINAL WOODEN CASE IN POOR CONDITION WITH ONE SIDEBOARD MISSING (NOT PICTURED).
C. Plath Hamburg nautical sextant,C. Plath Hamburg nautical sextant, No. 5, SN 14864, 6x30 magnification 160 mm radius, circa 1958
A BRITISH EBONY AND BRASS OCTANT
theA BRITISH EBONY AND BRASS OCTANT
the arc inset with engraved ivory scale, with vernier and set of three coloured glass filters, radius 26cm, early 19th c
C. PLATH HAMBURG NAUTICAL SEXTANT,C. PLATH HAMBURG NAUTICAL SEXTANT, WOOD BOX C. Plath Hamburg (German), late 19th / early 20th century. Brass nautical / celestial sextant with case including shade glass, index mirror, and horizon mirror. Marked to index bar Ku.K. K.M. No 236. and maker's mark to arc. Approx. w. 10", d.
ENGLISH SPENCER, BROWNING & CO.ENGLISH SPENCER, BROWNING & CO. OCTANT London, circa mid-19th century, the instrument with an ebony frame having an inlaid ivory scale and maker's plate; with oak kidded case.