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How many wood
cased binnacle compasses have you seen that is designed like a pyramid? Not only are they rare in the general market, this is the first to be offered for sale in recent times. Most are only seen in museums or books.
This example of
a Pattern 182 pyramid binnacle compass, and its candle lamp are of museum quality, a term we don’t use lightly. It shows very little wear for its 100 years of age, and may be considered in near new condition.
All together, it makes a most impressive example of an
important small Royal Navy binnacle that is of the highest grade.
This very handsome vintage compass with the rare early
style wood dovetailed wood case and a candle burner lamp is exceptional throughout.
WEIGHT 27 pounds |
DENT’S BRIEF HISTORY:
The history of Dent & Co. spans three centuries of precision watch and clock making in Great
Britain. Established in 1814 by Edward J. Dent, the company embraced the Victorian fervor for technological innovation and
created precision chronometers to navigate the Royal Navy and guide some of the most intrepid explorers on their voyages.
The British Empire was in full expansion and its maritime tradition had produced some remarkable technological breakthroughs
from the late 18th century; John Harrison’s triumphant mechanical solution in 1764 to locate a ship’s position
at sea won the coveted Board of Longitudes prize money and further consolidated Britain as the horological force in the world.
Propelling the impetus of Britain’s primacy, Dent proved a key player in Victorian horological history manufacturing
the Standard Clock at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich which was to keep “Greenwich Mean Time” the time
to which all others in the Empire were referred, (better known today as G.M.T.) and continued to do so until replaced by an
electronic clock in 1946. Dent also made probably the most famous clock in the world – the Great Clock for the Houses
of Parliament, familiarly known as Big Ben.
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