Accession No

6531

Brief Description

drawing instrument magazine, by George Adams Jnr., English, c. 1783

Origin

England; London

Maker

Adams, George (Jnr.)

Class

drawing

Earliest Date

1781

Latest Date

1783

Inscription Date

Material

wood (mahogany); metal (brass, lead); cloth (felt; velvet); paint

Dimensions

320mm (width) x 225mm (depth) x 90mm (height)

Special Collection

Provenance

Purchased from Charles Miller, Suite 6, 3/11 Imperial Road, London, SW6 2AG. Lot no. 191 from the Maritime and Scientific Models, Instruments & Art Sale, 26/10/2011.

Inscription

G. Adams

Description Notes

Drawing instrument magazine by George Adams (II), London, c. 1783.

Mahogany box with two trays, lined with green velvet. Contains drawing instruments for draughtsmen, by George Adams. Lockable (key in bottom shelf, unlocked). Includes polishing felt cloth and note from previous owner: “Please ensure that the trammels on the eliptical drawing instrument are positioned in the centre of the circular plate before closing box”.

Two trays, as well as hinged flap in lid. Lid contains a sector, rectangular protractor and scissor-type parallel rule, two signed G. Adams. Upper tray includes ellipsograph, T-Square, pricking stylus, ink pen, micrometer calliper compass, a steel-handled pen, proportional dividers and a tri-form hinged compass; the lower tray includes signed boxwood and brass sliding Haywood-type ‘L’ square, a full set of 24 unused crested watercolour cakes by Reeves contained in labelled recesses, the brush recess with dedication for 1781, and removable porcelain mixing tray, contained in a mahogany case with satinwood banding, lock and key.

Auctioneer’s catalogue suggests this is possibly unique. Seems to have been hardly used.

Condition: Good, complete. Some scratches and chips to the polish on the box, and some wear to the velvet interior (particularly where the clip holds down the flap for the lid compartment). Some minor discolouration on the brass.

References

Events