*151. UNUSUAL EBONY FRAME SEXTANT with an all brass scale. Signed

below scale "Troughton & Simms London". Superbly crafted instrument and

in near mint condition with brass retaining most all original lacquer finish.

10" l. flat index arm with swing away magnifier attached. Horizon glass and

six colored glass shades. Blank ivory name-plate in horizontal limb. Lignum

vitae handle. Keystone mahogany case with compartments for the three

optics, shade cap and magnifying glass. Ivory escutcheon around keyhole.

Edward Troughton and William Simms entered into partnership in 1826...the

business continued for years even after the retirement and death of both men.

The firm was always known to have created the finest mathematical instru-

ments of their time. This sextant likely from the 1830-40 period. A handsome

and quite unique example.

2SOLD

*152. SUPERB PRESENTATION DOUBLE FRAME SEXTANT WITH GOLD SCALES. Signed below the inset

gold scale "Troughton & Simms London". Presentation inscription engraved

on lower section of index arm "Charles Sewell Nedham/Lieut. R.N./from his

cousin Lt. Col. H.L. Knight". Brass double frame with 10 1/2" reinforced index

arm that has swing away magnifier attached. Horizon glass with unusual

adjusting feature that has a finely threaded cap to protect it. Seven colored

glass shades. Rosewood handle. Mahogany keystone case with numerous inte-

rior compartments for storage of four optics, extra lenses, shade caps and a

magnifying glass. The two larger optics with rack and pinion focussing

devices. Condition of everything superb with sextant retaining all original fin-

ish. A most impressive 19th century sextant.

SOLD

*153. CASED MINIATURE BRASS SEXTANT BY FAMOUS LONDON MAKER. Superb quality little instrument

that is signed below the silver scale "Cary London". Also marked with number "2534". Brass frame with orig-

inal lacquer finish that was applied in an unusual manner resulting in an

appearance somewhat like the wavy or spotted finish found on the back plates of

many 19th century chronometers. Length of flat index arm 4 1/2". Swing away

magnifier, horizon glass and four colored glass shades. Ebony handle.

Dovetailed mahogany case(6" x 6" x 3 1/2") with compartments for the four

optics and two eyepiece shades. Condition overall about mint having just scat-

tered but minor spotting to finish. Was illustrated in an article published in

January, 1979 issue of magazine "Antiques and Art Monitor"(photocopy provid-

ed). The Cary family had a long history of fine instrument making in England

during the 19th century. This sextant likely the work of William Cary who died

in 1825. A superb and very rare brass sextant.

SOLD

*154. PAIR OF WHALE IVORY AND BRONZE SCRIMSHAW BLOCKS. Exact pieces illustrated page 134 in

Flayderman's "Scrimshaw and Scrimshanders". Beautifully made with outer

shells made from whale ivory and center piece and hook hand fabricated

from bronze. Double style rigging blocks that are lacking their sheaves and

may have never been completed in the first place. Overall length including

hook 3". Width 1". Condition overall nice but one has whale ivory chips

missing at bottom of one side where the sections were peened together

using bronze pins. Good age color on ivory and bronze has acquired a fabu-

lous deep patina. Circa 1850. The pair

SOLD

*155. SMALL BOAT COMPASS BY PORTLAND, MAINE MAKER. Fully signed on the 21/2"

diameter dry card "THE THOMAS LAUGHLIN CO./PORTLAND, ME". 3" diameter brass

case with glass top. 1 1/2" high. Condition excellent noting a few tiny bruises on rim of

case and slight discoloration on compass card. The Thomas Laughlin firm was estab-

lished in Portland in 1836 and flourished into the 20th century. This compass likely

dates circa 1860. Nice little New England item.

325.00

155a. WHALING AND SCRIMSHAW AUCTION CATALOG. "The Whaling Collection of

The Late Richard J. Wehle". Richard Bourne Co. May 30, 1990. Price key. Have a few copies available.

25.00

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