Very large globe compass having 7½” printed paper quadrant dial with cardinals, intercardinals and false points, North indicated by a fleur de lys, and with an ornate and beautiful compass rose design, marked to the centre by the maker’s name “Made by Geo. Adams in Fleet Street, London.” Fine handmade blued steel bar needle pivoting under a hand-formed boss. Contained in a brass bezel within a glazed oak case with original flat glass. The case verso showing the position of three fixing points.

Very rare, particularly at this size, this globe compass would have been mounted on a stretcher between the three legs of the stand in which the terrestrial or celestial globe sat. In wonderful condition, the paper dial flat and taut (those few seen show signs of rippling), the needle finding north easily, the glass with original firing flaws and a few very faint marks, the oak case with some very slight almost imperceptible warping.

A floor-standing globe without one of these compasses is considered incomplete. This is a rare opportunity to acquire an extraordinary and particularly large example, almost certainly for the less common 18″ or larger globes, by one of the most acclaimed instrument makers of the age.

George Adams the younger (1750–1795) succeeded his father as mathematical instrument maker to George III and also became optician to the Prince of Wales. The quality of his instruments was said to be at least as good as those of his father, and he also wrote essays and treatises on barometers, thermometers and other instruments.

Dimensions: 8½” diameter x 1″ deep

Stock No: SI0685

Price: SOLD