ANTIQUE NEGUS DRY CARD TELL TALE COMPASS Ca 1880   Shown Above in Overhead Position & Below as it would Display. Outstanding Original Condition Telltale or tell tale compasses are one of the rarest found. This one is a perfect example of a mid 19th Century captain's cabin compass. It has a special dry card for viewing when it is hung over a bunk making it a special find. Highly desirable for any important collection or as a gift Diameter of bezel 8 1//4"                                                                                       Weight 4 lbs 8 oz   Presented is a large size tell tale compass made by the preeminent firm of T.S. & J.D. Negus of New York City. It has  the old style paper card which which is figured in compass points of 11 1/4 degrees. When it mounted overhead, the large size of the card makes it easily readable. This type compass was normally found in the captain's cabin, over his bunk or desk.  It is housed in a earlier polished and lacquered cartridge brass gimbaled case which is suspended from a brass bracket.  The brass-work has taken on a slight patina of age, but the lacquer coating is still in good condition. This is a high quality instrument from a famous maker and is in perfect original condition with only a few dents and scratches to show its former use at sea. TELLTALE COMPASS USE: This type compass is designed to hang from the overhead. They were most frequently found in the captain's cabin over his bunk or desk. Off watch he could keep an eye on the ships heading while he was resting at sea, and also keep track of wind changes when at anchor. This one is a wonderful example of a high quality American instrument of the mid 1800's.  THE COMPASS CARD: The highly ornate Fleur des Lis is the North pointer. The outer ring of the compass card is graduated in 128 marks, 32 in each quadrant. Each mark represents 2.8125 degrees which is the equivalent of one quarter “point”. The inner subdivisions are in Cardinal Points, N.S,E,W, and quarter points, NE,SE,SW,NW, then 1/2 points. There are 32 points on the compass card, each being 11 1/4 degrees. There is a distinctive black lubber's line down the center of the glass. CONDITION:This antique compass is beautifully made of all brass construction with a stout gimbal and overhead mounting bracket. Condition is exceptional throughout except for a few dents on the bottom where it likely hit an overhead beam. All surfaces have older polish and lacquer lacquer. The compass works properly when when mounted overhead.    DIMENSIONS: Diameter of bezel 8 1//4"                                         Weight 4 lbs 8 oz Diameter of card  6 1/2" Depth of tub 5" Weight 3 lbs 8 oz Maximum dimensions 10" x 9 1/2" x 10" This is an exceptionally fine example of this type compass and is suitable for the finest collection or as a gift BRIEF NEGUS HISTORY: Thomas Stewart and John D. Negus were highly respected nautical instrument makers and were arguably the leading makers in the United States during the second half of the 19th century. Trained in England, the brothers began their manufactory in New York City in 1848. They moved to 100 Wall Street, New York City in 1864 and formed their navigational instrument making firm, "T.S. & J.D. Negus," in 1869. According to research of period U.S. Navy records, T.S. & J.D. Negus sold chronometers and other instruments to the U.S. Navy including compasses. It is a little known fact that the Negus brothers bought the Ritchie Compass Company in 1937 and sixteen years later sold it to the Sherman Brothers in 1953. At that time Ritchie moved to Pembroke, Mass.  The firm continued under the trade name "Negus" as a nautical instrument manufacturer and retailer well into the mid 20th century. A fine antique Telltale compass from the first half of the 19th Century. Highly recommended! FLAT RATE SHIPPING & PACKING to 48 contiguous States $50.00   International buyers welcome, but inquire first. We have satisfied customers in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Chile, Republic of China, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Estonia, England, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Martinique, Mexico, New Hebrides (Vanuatu), New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Nova Scotia, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, St. Maarten, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, USVI, Vanuatu (New Hebrides) and the Eastern Caribbean. OUR UNCONDITIONAL NO NONSENSE GUARANTEE: If not completely satisfied with your purchase it may be returned, if without damage, within five days of receipt in its original packaging. Return items must be insured for their full value. Only a prior email authorization by us for the return is required. Shipping charges within the continental United States are  included in this offer if the error is due to our fault. STANDARD FORMS OF PAYMENT are Bank wire transfer, cashier's check, money order, or personal check in which case the item will be held until cleared. Our are prices our quoted net to us so that the use of credit cards or PayPal incur extra charges. Terms on overseas sales are different.  Copyright 2014 by Land And Sea Collection™. All Rights Reserved!