Authentic and Rare 19th Century English Sextant

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Authentic and Rare 19th Century English Sextant

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Sold Date: 05/26/2008
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Fine Art

With so many phony "antique" brass sextants offered on Ebay lately, it is a surprise to come across a nice authentic instrument these days. we have an early 19th century English sextant made by the distinguished firm of Watkins & Hill, Charing Cross, London. This sextant belonged to a collector friend of mine for many years. He had many fabulous technical and scientific antiques, and he generally left them as found. This instrument has likely remained untouched for over 100 years. Watkins and Hill began their partnership in London in 1819. They were listed as "Mathematical, Optical and Philosophical Instrument Makers to Their Royal Highnesses The Dukes of York and Clarence", and manufactured a host of mathematical, nautical and scientific instruments. Many of their instruments are held in museum collections. They were succeeded by the similarly distinguished firm of Elliot, London in 1857. The sextant offered is tfore at least 150 years old, and likely older than that!! The instrument appears complete and in original condition without any obvious repairs or alterations. The brass frame has lost areas of the original black paint, and the mirrosr are crazed and would need re-silvering or replacement to be used. T are seven different glass filters (three in round frames, and four in square frames) which all appear intact and scratch free. The three different telescope tubes have intact lenses but are dirty and could use re-lacquering. The brass and silver scale and vernier scale are incredibly finely divided and appear in excellent condition. T is also a nice magnifier for reading the vernier. It comes in the original oak box with single plank covers which have checked and split over the years. The box is intact but should be carefully re-glued. I know almost nothing about sextants, but this appears to be a very nice and uncommon high grade instrument worthy of restoration for the advanced collector.