octant
Date1810-1840
Inventory Number5243
ClassificationOctant
Subject
Maker
Thomas Parnell (I)
?
fl. 1784 - 1811
Maker
William Parnell
fl. 1811 - 1839
Repaired by
Bassnett & Son
founded 1857
Repaired by
Frederic W. Lincoln Jr. & Company
1858 - 1883
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensionsoctant: 30.5 × 24.5 × 8 cm (12 × 9 5/8 × 3 1/8 in.)
case: 9.9 × 32.8 × 29.8 cm (3 7/8 × 12 15/16 × 11 3/4 in.)
case: 9.9 × 32.8 × 29.8 cm (3 7/8 × 12 15/16 × 11 3/4 in.)
Material
Accessoriescase
DescriptionThis is an octant with a traditional T-form ebony frame, an ivory name-plate, and inlaid ivory scale. The ivory memo plate is loose in the box. The pencil is missing. The octant has a reinforced, ribbed, brass index arm (9.75" radius) with an ivory vernier. The ivory scale runs -4° to 100°, divided every 20' and the vernier is divided 0 - 20 every 1'. The instrument has a brass clamp and tanget screw on the index arm, a plain sight with two pinholes and a rotating cover, horizon glass with screw adjustments, three glass shades before the horizon glass and three after it, and three feet.
Stepped keystone oak box, who lid is split.
Box lid has the tradecard of Bassnett & Son, Liverpool. Also in the case is a loose tradecard of F.W. Lincoln & Co., Boston. It is nicely illustrated with an eagle and shield, a ship, azimuth compass, telescope, octant, and ship being launched into the sea. According to notes on the tag, Lincoln & Co.'s tradecard had been covering Bassnett & Son's.
Stepped keystone oak box, who lid is split.
Box lid has the tradecard of Bassnett & Son, Liverpool. Also in the case is a loose tradecard of F.W. Lincoln & Co., Boston. It is nicely illustrated with an eagle and shield, a ship, azimuth compass, telescope, octant, and ship being launched into the sea. According to notes on the tag, Lincoln & Co.'s tradecard had been covering Bassnett & Son's.
Signedon ivory name plate: PARNELL. LONDON.
on tradecard in box: Bassnett & Son, / CHRONOMETER & WAT[C]H / Manufacturers, / OPTICIANS AND NAUTICAL / INSTRUMENT MAKERS, / 1 ROBERT ST NORTH END -- rIN [?] DOCK, / AND 39, REGENT ROAD, OPPOSITE BRAMLEY M[??]E DOCK, / Liverpool. / [effaced words] / CHRONOMETER RATES ASCERTAINED BY TRANSIT.
loose tradecard in box: F. W. LINCOLN, JR. & CO. / NAUTICAL INSTRUMENT / MAKERS / No. 126 Commercial St, / BOSTON. / NB. Orders thankfully received, and punctually executed.
Inscribedin dark ink on cork stop attached to box lid: 30.
ProvenanceDavid Wheatland purchased from Roland Hammond, North Andover, Massachusetts, September 1964. Donated to CHSI April 1977.
Historical AttributesThis octant was originally found in an "old house in Melrose, Mass."
E. & G. W. Blunt
Date: 1825-1860
Accessories: Keystone box (1996-1-0172b).
Object number: 1996-1-0172a
Benjamin Martin
Date: 1764
Accessories: small brass scope with brass and ivory holder.
Object number: 0007
See also/See also
