octant
Date: 1840-1855
Inventory Number: 5244
Classification: Octant
Subject:
Maker: Spencer, Barrett & Company (fl. 1840 - 1855)
Repaired by: Hagger & Brother ? (fl. 1842-1861)
Repaired by: James S. Hagger & Company ? (fl. 1871)
Associate Name: E. & G. W. Blunt (1824 - 1866)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
City of Use:
Dimensions:
octant: 32 × 27.2 × 7.8 cm (12 5/8 × 10 11/16 × 3 1/16 in.)
case: 10.5 × 35 × 31 cm (4 1/8 × 13 3/4 × 12 3/16 in.)
Accessories: keystone box
Description:
This octant has a traditional T- form, ebony frame with a curved cross bow and an ivory name plate. The pencil is missing. There is no place for an ivory memo plate. The frame has three feet.
The limb is made of ebony with an ivory scale. The reinforced, ribbed, brass index arm has a 10.75" radius, clamping screw, and tangent screw. The ivory scale is divided 108° to -2° every 20'; the vernier 20 - 0, every 1'. There are 3 index shades, a screw-adjusted horizon mirror with a moveable plate underneath this mirror. The sight is plain with two pinholes and a pivoting cover.
The keystone case is damaged on the lower half, missing part of the bottom and one side. It is water-stained. In side the lid is the tradecard for a firm in Baltimore whose name is effaced.
The limb is made of ebony with an ivory scale. The reinforced, ribbed, brass index arm has a 10.75" radius, clamping screw, and tangent screw. The ivory scale is divided 108° to -2° every 20'; the vernier 20 - 0, every 1'. There are 3 index shades, a screw-adjusted horizon mirror with a moveable plate underneath this mirror. The sight is plain with two pinholes and a pivoting cover.
The keystone case is damaged on the lower half, missing part of the bottom and one side. It is water-stained. In side the lid is the tradecard for a firm in Baltimore whose name is effaced.
Signedon name plate: SPENCER. BARRETT. &. Co. LONDON
on label in box lid: SOLE AGENT FOR E. & G. W. BLUNT, 179 WATER ST., N. Y. / [dealer's name effaced] / NAVIGATION WAREHOUSE, / No. [effaced] W. PRATT ST., Baltimore, / ... / Agent for American Lloyds and the Commercial Code of Marine Signals.
on label in box lid: SOLE AGENT FOR E. & G. W. BLUNT, 179 WATER ST., N. Y. / [dealer's name effaced] / NAVIGATION WAREHOUSE, / No. [effaced] W. PRATT ST., Baltimore, / ... / Agent for American Lloyds and the Commercial Code of Marine Signals.
Inscribedon tradecard pasted inside box lid: SOLE AGENT FOR E. & G. W. BLUNT, 179 WATER ST., N. Y. / [dealer's name effaced] / NAVIGATION WAREHOUSE, / No. [effaced] W. PRATT ST., Baltimore, / HAS FOR SALE / CHARTS OF ALL PARTS OF THE WORLD, / Compasses, Spy Glasses, Marine Opera Glasses, Patent Logs, Log Books, Log Slates, Rules, Scales and Dividers, Bowditch's Navigator, Blunt's Coast Pilot, and all other Nautical Books, Binacles, Lamps, &c., &c. / CHRONOMETERS FOR SALE OR HIRE, OR RATED BY TRANSIT. / WATCHES AND CLOCKS FOR SALE OR REPAIRED. / Agent for American Lloyds and the Commercial Code of Marine Signals.
around the edges of the label: CHARTS, BOOKS, / CHRONOMETERS, / SEXTANTS. / Nautical and Surveying Instruments Repaired.
around the edges of the label: CHARTS, BOOKS, / CHRONOMETERS, / SEXTANTS. / Nautical and Surveying Instruments Repaired.
Historical AttributesThe tradecard in the case has the name of a Baltimore firm effaced. The firm was at an address on W. Pratt Street, and sold chronometers, sextants, charts, books, and other assorted navigational and mathematical instruments. A search through Baltimore city directores of the mid-19th century suggests the following instrument makers:
1851
Hagger & Bro., 59 W. Pratt St
1871
James S. Hagger & Co., 30 1/2 W. Pratt St.
A. Stowell, 64 W. Pratt St.
J. H. Lange, corner Pratt and Spear's Wharf
Francis J. Sloan, corner Pratt and Spear's Wharf
[Sources: Thomson's mercantile and professional directory, for the states of Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and the District of Columbia (1851); and The state gazette and merchants and farmers' directory for Maryland and District of Columbia (1871).]
1851
Hagger & Bro., 59 W. Pratt St
1871
James S. Hagger & Co., 30 1/2 W. Pratt St.
A. Stowell, 64 W. Pratt St.
J. H. Lange, corner Pratt and Spear's Wharf
Francis J. Sloan, corner Pratt and Spear's Wharf
[Sources: Thomson's mercantile and professional directory, for the states of Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and the District of Columbia (1851); and The state gazette and merchants and farmers' directory for Maryland and District of Columbia (1871).]