Images(7)

marine compass

Datecirca 1801

Inventory NumberDW0481

ClassificationMagnetic Compass

Subject

Maker Gedney King (II) 1777 - 1839

Maker Joseph Callender 1751 - 1821

Cultural Region

Place of Origin

Dimensionsbox closed: 17.7 x 25.3 x 25.3 cm (6 15/16 x 9 15/16 x 9 15/16 in.)

Material

DescriptionThis instrument has two makers. Gedney King (II) made the gimballed compass found in the box. The gimbals are in crude copper and roughly shaped. The glass covering the compass is attached with white sealant. The whole box can be closed with a sliding cover.

The printed compass card was made by Joseph Callender. Printed on it are four 90 degrees graduated circles divided in degrees and 32 cardinal directions. A fleur-de-lys marks North. The standing Amerindian with bow and arrow used as symbol for East is similar to what Callender used on Massachusetts 1 cent and 1/2 cent coins (1787).

In Collection(s)

Exhibit 2005--CHSI's Putnam Gallery

Signedon compass card: G. KING / Maker. / No. 8, North Row, / BOSTON. on compass card: Callender Sp

FunctionMarine compasses determined the sun's azimuth in order to correct for magnetic declination of the compass. They were used for steering the ship on course.

ProvenanceDavid Wheatland purchased from Saul Moskowitz, Marblehead, Massachusetts, May 7, 1974.

Historical AttributesGedney was working in Boston by 1800 and added his son, Charles Gedney King, to his business in 1832. Joseph Callender was a pupil of Paul Revere and a die sinker at the Massachusetts mint.