You will not have seen anything like this before in this condition with this age or solid American pedigree. Rarely do we have the opportunity to offer anything so remarkable. Presented is a Mid 19 th Century large boxed compass by E & G Blunt that is remarkably similar to one on display at the Smithsonian Museum by the same maker only this one is in much better condition and has wonderful Folk Art carvings and trim. See Smithsonian: http://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/navigation/object.cfm?recordnumber=1183891   The spun brass bowl with original varnish has a very ornate engraved dry card all hung from proper gimbals. It is housed in an ornate case which we take to be made mainly of Teak wood with hand crafted tongue and groove construction. The front of the case has a carved pulling boat, and the left side has a carved design which may be the barbs of a hook at each end or maybe these are intended as the flukes of an anchor.    We consider it the finest example of a boxed compass we've ever seen. It is truly of "museum quality" a term that we do not use lightly.   THE BOX is traditional tongue and groove construction, but with rarely seen carvings as noted above, and fancy trim along the edges of each side. The front panel may be made of Pine, but the remainder of the box is likely Teak. In addition to the nuts which hold the gimbals, there are two hooks on the right side, and on the right and left side of the front panel is a vertical slot which may have been used to secure the case in position. There is a Teak cover with thumb grove which slides in and out. The case is 11"L x 10 1/2" D x 7 1/4" H.      OVERALL DIMENSIONS:   Height 11"L x 10 1/2" D x 7 1/4" H     Weight 7 pounds   THE DRY CARD COMPASS: The bowl of the compass is spun brass with its original varnish in excellent condition. The engraved paper dry card's "North" is identified with a very ornate Flur des Lis, with a second ornate, but smaller Flur des Lis as the East pointer. On the center line of the East pointer is engraved, "of Burling Slip". On its reciprocal leg is "179 Water St. cor". Within a circle around the center pivot is "E. & G. Blunt., New York" with "W. Hooker, Sc", in small type over.   The outer two rings of the compass card are graduated in degrees. We assume the reason for this was to easily increase the diameter of the card from six inches to six and one quarter inches. The larger subdivisions are in Cardinal Points, N,S,E,W, and quarter points, NE,SE,SW,NW, then 1/2 points, 1/8 points and finally 1/16 points. There are 32 points on the compass card, each being 11 1/4 degrees, making 360 degrees in total. The glass is sealed in place by its original red lead compound.       CONDITION: This beautifully made antique compass bowl and gimbals is of brass construction has no exceptions and is in remarkably "near new" condition throughout. All surfaces are original the brass has a lacquered golden patina. The compass works properly.   COMPASS DIMENSIONS: Diameter of bowl 7 1/8"      Diameter of card 6 1/4"  Diameter of gimbals 8 1/4"  Depth of bowl 4 3/4"

Precise ornate engraving

Similar Smithsonian compass card

Spun brass bowl

Hand made tongue and groove

HISTORY: E. & G.W. Blunt Company operations as a seller of nautical instruments dates from 1821 in New York.  They offered nautical books, charts, and instruments. The Blunt firm was also noted for publishing a Nautical Almanac staring in 1850.  The company became Blunt & Nichols in 1866, and Blunt & Co. in 1868.  This compass predates the company name change in 1866, and helps date it.  On August 4, 1871, equally renown, John Bliss & Sons,  purchased the famous Blunt & Co. The combination lasted for 100 years more.

OUR UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTEE: If not completely satisfied with your purchase it may be returned, if without damage, within five days of receipt in its original condition and packaging. Returns must be insured for their full value. All that is required is a prior email authorization by us for the return. Unfortunately, no refund can be made for the cost of shipping, packaging and handling unless we are at fault.

International buyers welcome, but inquire first.  We have satisfied customers in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Martinique, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Nova Scotia, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, USVI and the Eastern Caribbean.

SHIPPING & PACKING: The cost of shipping, packing, handling, and insurance to your destination is an additional charge. You may email us before bidding to get these costs. We price our shipping honestly, but we expect to be reimbursed for the nominal cost of packaging materials and handling.

ACCEPTED 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. No credit cards or PayPal accepted on this item.   Copyright 2007 by Land And Sea Collection™, All