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GIANT
VINTAGE POLISHED BRASS SKYLIGHT BINNACLE
BY WILFRID O. WHITE, Ca 1935
With ORIGINAL SPHERICAL COMPASS
PRESENTED on the viewer's left is a giant skylight or cathedral binnacle with an original
Spherical Compass that was invented by Wilfrid O. White. The design dates to January 6, 1931 under Patent number 1987383
which was granted on January 8, 1935. This is one of the original of this design with the oversize compass housed
in a giant size binnacle, and sold under the Kelvin-Wilfrid O. White brand name. See company history below. The
standout
feature of this compass was the sphere which magnified the size of the compass card approximately 1.5 times. In this
case, the 4 inch card appears to be 6 inches when the bowl is filled with fluid. There is an external light
fitted for night viewing, and a brass hood fits over the top to protect the night vision of the crew. It is in the preferred
brass finish with six glass panels. One of the panels has an etched vertical line for taking bearings.
COMPARATIVE SIZE: For size comparison it is shown along side a similar Wilfrid O. White binnacle
of the same period that is shown on a 2 inch wood base. The smaller binnacle measures 12 1/2" H x 9" W without the base
and weighs 7 pounds less.
 Binnacles such as these became very popular starting in the 1920's. Their popularity may have increased after one was seen
aboard the motor vessel "Santana" in the movie "Key Largo" (1948) staring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. Bogie also had
one in the cockpit of his famous yawl Santana. Here it is shown covered with a chrome hood. The one being offerred in this
listing is the largest we've ever seen or heard of in a binnacle of this type.
PROVENANCE: Originally
this binnacle was the steering compass of a 1930 Eldredge McGinnis designed motor yacht built by the Crosby Yacht Yard, Osterville,
MA. It was removed by one of the last owners at the time he sold the boat as a remembrance.
CONDITION: This binnacle is in reconditioned
like new condition with the compass working properly. The compass was recently cleaned and its paint freshened in our shop,
and the binnacle was professionally polished and lacquered. There are four lubber pins one at each primary heading of 90 degrees.
The compass is being sold for display. Its fluid has been removed to preserve the card, and it is not intended to be used
at sea in this condition. It can be made sea going by simply adding a mixture of 1/3 alcohol and 2/3 distilled water.
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Kelvin &Wilfrid O. White name tag |
DIMENSIONS:
Overall 14
1/2" H x 11 1/2" W including flange WEIGHT 18 pounds
Actual Diameter
of compass card 4" Apparent Diameter of compass card 6"
Diameter of gimbals
8 1/4" Overall diameter bezel 7 1/4" OA Diameter case 10 1/2"
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The largest skylight ever | |
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BRIEF
HISTORY: Wilfred O. White had a rich nautical family history, descending from a shipbuilding family that dated back
to 1600 England. Born in Melbourne Australia, White came to the United States in 1898 and married Ruth Eldridge, the daughter
of George Eldridge, who charted the first tide and current tables in U.S.
White had studied with the Scottish
Lord Kelvin of compass fame for a year or more in Glasgow in the very early 1900's. Kelvin's work on magnetic compasses goes
back to 1870, and the result was quickly adopted by the world's navies. After Kelvin's death in 1907, White was chosen to
be Kelvin's exclusive agent in the United States by Kelvin's successors and partners, Kelvin, Bottomley & Baird. The Kelvin
& Wilfrid O. White and Co. commenced operations in 1918. White, reportedly, had to pay LIST price, in advance with his
orders. This became a thorn in Wilfred's side, and it ultimately lead him to develop his own design improvements which were
marketed under the Kelvin - Wilfrid O. White brand. He invented the spherical compass in 1931 and received his US Patent in
1935. His son Wilfrid Gordon later improved upon it's design in the 1950's.
The Wilfrid White company sold out to the Eastern Company in 1961 which consolidated it operations with
Danforth's Marine Hardware, first in Naugatuck, CT and then moved the Danforth- White Division to Portland, ME in 1961. Compasses
continued to be produced under the Danforth - White label. In the 1970's Danforth dropped the Danforth - White brand and marketed
their compasses as Danforth. In 2009, Danforth ceased compass production entirely.
This
example dates all the way back to the introduction of the spherical compass and should be highly prized if used afloat or
ashore.
FLAT RATE SHIPPING to 48 contiguous States $55.00
This exceptionally rare GIANT size Skylight binnacle is ready to go back to sea or
it is suitable as a gift or as an addition to any collection of fine marine artifacts.
OUR UNCONDITIONAL NO NONSENSE GUARANTEE:
If not completely satisfied with your purchase it may be returned within five days of receipt in its original packaging if
without damage. Return items must be insured for their full value. Only a prior email authorization from us for the return
is required. Shipping charges are included in this offer if an error is due to our fault.
International buyers welcome, but inquire first. We have satisfied customers in Argentina, Australia, Austria,
Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Estonia,
England, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait,
Latvia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Martinique, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Nova Scotia, Panama, Philippines, Poland,
Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, St. Maarten, Sweden, Switzerland,
Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, USVI and the Eastern Caribbean.
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 2012 by Land And Sea Collection™, All Rights
Reserved |
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