A rare and fine brass mariners or explorers nautical pattern pocket compass by Spencer & Co, London c1815

Rare English antique brass pocket compass comprising 1¾” floating quadrant card with nautical pattern, fleur-de-lys to North and decorated East point. Marked to centre by the maker “Spencer & Co, 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 lid with small crack to side edge. The crystal with original casting flaws, the card remaining crisp, finding north easily, small loss to east point by letter E. 

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, – this one appears to show transactions with a merchant named Keeble from Hull, and the December shown might indeed be from the 1790s, suggesting that this compass might be a little earlier than 1815.

Spencer & Co were highly respected compass makers. This compass is of the same pattern as others we have handled, but there are subtle differences indicating that it is a little earlier than those examples.

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.