RareTulip Pattern Mid 19th Century Brass Sextant

This Fine Item Has Been Sold! Thank you!

Rare and Unusual

Tulip Pattern Sextant

Mid 19th Century

Inscribed

“L. Vandervoodt Cornet Antwerp”

Presented is a beautiful brass sextant with a “Tulip” design frame. In our research, we could only find one example of this design, also inscribed on the arc with a name that was thought to be the seller rather than the manufacturer. In this instance, we believe the inscription either represents the original owner or seller of this fine piece. The label in the case indicates the retailer, Duren & Costigan – Nautical Instruments Dealers of New York, established 1855. (Most likely, not the original seller) The other instrument we found similar to this one was thought to be from that same period.

Back side of Instrument

DIMENSIONS: Arc -5 to + 135 degrees
Length of index arm 9 1/4″
Radius of index arm 7 1/2″
Width of frame at arc 9 3/4″ Index Mirror 36 x 45 mm

Index
Horizon mirror 26 x 28 mm
Instrument weight 2 lbs 13 oz
Case 10 3/4″” X 9 1/2″ x 5 1/4″ Weight in case 6 lbs 2 oz

Index Mirrors and Shades Sighting Scope

Advanced design features include a larger-than-normal horizon mirror
and Index mirrors both of which gather more light, and hence improve the taking of twilight sights. Included are a telescope and a sighting scope. In addition, there are four Index shades and three horizon shades. A magnifier swings on a post over the vernier scale, which reads to ten arc seconds from the right. The frame’s design makes a strong
and rigid frame. The handle is turned from Rosewood. The polished platinum scale is calibrated -5 to +155° with a vernier scale reading from the right from 0 to 15 arc seconds in arc second intervals. The sextant has four partially rounded shades for the index mirror and three round shades for the horizon mirror.

This fine instrument has been recently
lacquered and polished for display and is a beautiful very collectible example of mid-19th century navigation technology.

The exterior of the Mahogany case appears to have been refinished, with a muted shine polish. All of the age of the case appears in the interior.

Shipping & Packaging

The cost of shipping, packing, handling, and insurance to your destination, will be calculated point to point and is an additional charge. You may email us to get these costs. We price our shipping honestly, but we expect to be reimbursed for the nominal cost of packaging materials and handling.

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If not completely satisfied with your purchase it may be returned, if without damage, within three days of receipt in its original packaging. Return items must be insured for their full value. Only a prior email authorization by us for the return is required. Shipping charges are refundable if due to our error within the continental United States.

International buyers welcome, but inquire first. We have satisfied customers worldwide.

Standard Forms of Payment

Bank wire transfer, cashier’s check, money order, or personal check in which case the item will be held until cleared. Our prices are quoted net to us so that the use of credit cards or PayPal incur extra charges. Terms on overseas sales are different.