A rare and fine brass mariners or explorers nautical pattern pocket compass by Spencer & Co, No 66 Wapping, London c1820

Rare English antique brass pocket compass comprising 2” floating quadrant card with nautical pattern, fleur-de-lys to North and decorated East point. Marked to centre by the maker “Spencer & Co, No 66 Wapping, London.” Heavy card suspended on jewelled pivot, the verso with magnetic bar affixed with twin iron rivets, wax balancing.

Original crystal maintained in a finely scalloped and engine turned bezel, spun drum-form case with semi-circular thumb relief affording easy removal of crystal and bezel for de-misting. Well executed outer case, the lower part of low plain form, the lid relieved longitudinally with finely detailed and engine turned rim.

Condition: The outer case in crisp, slightly worn though essentially undamaged condition, the crystal with original casting flaws, the card remaining crisp, finding north easily, mark to north. 

Comments: A very good example. It is rare to find both upper and lower parts to the outer case – mostly these are missing. It is noteworthy that these cards were almost all manufactured from re-cycled documents such as sales ledgers, in this case a ledger detailing commercial arrangements around Goodman’s Fields, only a mile or so from Wapping.

The highly respected maker, Spencer & Co, worked at 66 Wapping c1817-1840 (Gloria Clifton, Directory of British Scientific Instrument Makers 1550-1851). This compass is of the same pattern as one previously sold on this site, albeit smaller.

A truly wonderful antique compass from this sought after maker, rare in completeness and condition. Inspected, checked and conserved, certainly a lot for the compass collector and connoisseur alike.