Accession No

6820

Brief Description

Thomson's pattern dry card compass, by James White, Scottish, late 19th Century

Origin

Scotland; Glasgow; 18 Cambridge Street

Maker

White, James

Class

magnetism; navigation

Earliest Date

1884

Latest Date

1900

Inscription Date

Material

cardboard; wood (mahogany); cloth (silk); metal (aluminium)

Dimensions

282mm (width), 568 (depth), 21mm (height), box, 255mm (depth), 6mm (height), compass

Special Collection

Provenance

Brought at auction from Flints Auctions Ltd. in June 2024.

Inscription

[Bottom of the box, under the compass]
By Appointment To The University
Via Veritas Vita [Latin]
James White
Optican
Mathematical and Philosophical
Instrument Maker.
18 Cambridge Street Glasgow

Description Notes

A brown mahogany square box, age shown through wood's rich patina. Has two metal clasps that lock and unlock the lid.

Inside, circle faded white cardboard compass. Silk thread attached to six magnetised needles on each side. Paper cut every 20 degrees.

Underneath, at the bottom of box, N indicating North, number 11266, and how the compass should be placed. Inscription reads James White, Optican, Mathematical and Philosophical Instrument Maker.

Under bottom corner: two silver washers, four gold metal sticks

In the middle (holding the compass inside the box) wooden stick

References

Events