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This Fine Binnacle Has Been Sold. Thank you! ANTIQUE SKYLIGHT BINNACLE   NEW NICKLE PLATING by John E. Hand & Son Presented is a large size skylight binnacle that follows a 100 year old design. It was made by the famous John E. Hand & Sons Company of Philadelphia. This one likely dates from the 1950's. It has six glass panels, with a Hand 6 inch gimbaled compass stamped on the compass bezel with Serial Number 6209. Because of their high cost of manufacture, binnacles like this were only found on the most expensive yachts and therefore, only infrequently come on the market. This one is is about 3 inches taller than the one PERKO used to make and is the same height, but 1/2 inches wider than today's E.S. Ritchie recreations that may be purchased new. BOGART' S SANTANA: Binnacles such as these became very popular starting in the 1920's. Their popularity may have increased after one was seen aboard the motor vessel "Santana" in the movie "Key Largo" (1948) staring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. Bogie also had one in the cockpit of his famous yawl Santana. Here it is shown covered with a chrome hood. Our ketch Bagheera was fitted with one and served us well during seven years of ocean cruising. PERKO discontinued making them about 1954, and Danforth in 2010. Today, the only source of skylight binnacles is from E.S. Ritchie. Their's are priced on the street at $2195.00, but arguably use thinner metal stampings, but have the advantage of a more advanced compass.   CONDITION: All the metal work has been re-plated and may be considered new. The over plating makes the maker's name tag unreadable. All the glass was replaced. The compass is original and the fluid has been drained for shipping. The compass card is not properly balanced and at times hangs up. Unless it is going back to sea that is a good way to leave it. . DIMENSIONS: Overall 13 1/2"H x 10 1/4"W D                              WEIGHT 11 pounds                       Diameter of compass card  4 3/4"                                             Diameter of compass 6"       Compass card imprinted Hand, Philadelphia, USA under the North pointer             The compass card is tilted in the bowl and their is no fluid   BRIEF HISTORY: The John E. Hand & Sons Company was founded in Philadelphia in 1873, quickly gaining a reputation as competent manufacturers of nautical instruments and compass adjusters. The company founder, John Enos Hand, is is reported to be “the first man in America to adjust a compass aboard an iron ship.” The Hand Company built navigational equipment for all varieties of ships, and operated a chain of retail outlets with service facilities in key ports, including Baltimore and New Orleans. Until 1956, these outlets sold Hand instruments as well as other nautical accoutrement's and provided compass adjusting services. Additionally, John E. and his two sons, John L. and Bartram, were inventors, who patented design improvements for numerous instruments that were employed in the company’s work.             The back of the compass showing the flawless new nickel plating The company was primarily involved in commercial shipping until the late 1930s when the United States military began preparations for World War II. Though the Hand Company never completely abandoned its involvement with private industry, after World War II, military contracts continued to be their major business. Of note are the wrist compass, they developed for the Navy beginning in the 1950's, and the Mark VII Model 5 Navy Standard Binnacle. Though it moved numerous times, the Hand Company headquarters and factory remained in the Delaware Valley, occupying several buildings in Philadelphia and southern New Jersey. Maintaining its central office in Philadelphia well into the 1900's, the factory was moved to Atco, New Jersey around the turn of the twentieth century and subsequently to Haddonfield, New Jersey. It moved one last time in the 1960's to Cherry Hill, New Jersey. In 1997, California-based Sunset Cliffs Merchandising Corporation purchased the Hand Company and all its assets for a small amount, but did not make use of its brand name. This rare Skylight or Cathedral binnacle is almost ready to go to sea or it is suitable as a gift or as an addition to any collection of fine marine artifacts.  FLAT RATE SHIPPING to 48 contiguous States $50.00 OUR UNCONDITIONAL 'NO NONSENSE“ GUARANTEE: If not completely satisfied with your purchase it may be returned, if without damage, within three 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 are refundable if due to our error within the continental United States. 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. 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 prices are quoted net to us so that the use of credit cards or PayPal incur extra charges. Terms on overseas sales are different.   Copyright 2015 by Land And Sea Collection™ All Rights Reserved!