|
|
IMPORTANT PEDIGREED AMERICAN MUSHROOM
AKA HELMET STYLE
BINNACLE COMPASS!
 |
|
Few Kelvin-Wilfrid O. White mushroom binnacles have ever
been seen? And very few have found their way on the market. This one must have been made for a prestigious
sailing yacht.
Presented is one of the finest and handsomest brass
mushroom style binnacles ever made with unbelievable quality craftsmanship. It shows very little wear for its minimum
80-88 years of age. The heavy gauge brass when polished takes on a high luster. The compass card is engraved Kelvin &
Wifrid O. White Co., Boston & New York, USA under. It is serial number 4044. The bezel is marked KELVIN WHITE
then BOSTON, and the serial number. William Thomson, Lord Kelvin (1824-1907), the father of the modern compass, with
whom Wilfrid O. White had a long association, was one of the most important inventors of the 19th Century.
This very handsome vintage binnacle with its rare early style mushroom
or helmet shape has a large brass hood and belly with twin chimney's one on either side. The lamps which are
in perfect condition have their original SIMPLEX burners that unscrew from the bottom. There
are no quadrantal correctors, those are the iron balls used for adjusting deviation so this wonderful relic came from
a sailing vessel of the most extravagant build.
CONDITION: Overall condition is exceptional, but expect to find some
small dents, dings and other evidence of use at sea.
|
Front angled view. Note small dings | |
|
Back angle view. Note small dings | |
APPROXIMATE DIMENSIONS:
Overall height 17" Maximum
width 15 1/4"
Compass bowl 8 1/4" diameter Compass
card 6 1/2" diameter
Viewing port 6 1/4" x 4 1/4" ellipse Serial No.
4044
Estimated weight 40 pounds Lamps
8 1/2“ H x 3/4“ diameter
|
THE COMPASS CARD: North is identified with a Fleur des Lis, with the makers name and address
under. The compass card is only graduated in compass points which means that it was designed
before 1910 when the use of degree increments were first introduced. The larger subdivisions are in Cardinal Points,
N.S,E, and W, and quarter points, NE,SE,SW,NW, then 1/2 points, 1/8 points and finally 1/16 points. There are 32 points
on the compass card, each being 11 1/4 degrees. In an air conditioned environment, some small air bubbles may developed,
but outside in a temperate climate, they will disappear.
PROVENANCE: Wilfred O. White had
a rich nautical family history. he descended from a shipbuilding family that dated back to 1600 England. Born in Melbourne
Australia, White came to the United States in 1898 and married Ruth Eldridge, the daughter of George Eldridge, who charted
the first tide and current tables in U.S.
Later Wifrid became Kelvin's exclusive licensee in this country. White had studied with
the Scottish Lord Kelvin for a year or more in Glasgow in the very early 1900's. Kelvin had made trips to this country as
early as 1842, so he likely met Wifrid during one of them. Kelvin's work on magnetic compasses goes back to 1870, and the
result was quickly adopted by the world's navies. After Kelvin's death in 1907, White was chosen to be Kevin's exclusive agent
in the United States by Kelvin's successors and partners, Kelvin, Bottomley & Baird. The Kelvin & Wilfrid O. White
and Co. commenced operations in 1918. White was buying Kelvin's instruments from Scotland, and it is reported, he had to pay
LIST price, IN ADVANCE. This was expensive and a thorn in Wilfred's side, and it ultimately induced him to develop his own
design improvements which were marketed under the KWOW brand. This example of White's work was recently purchased
at auction in New England.
The Wilfrid White company sold out to the Eastern Company which consolidated it
operations with Danforth's Marine Hardware, first in Naugatuck, CT and then moved the Danforth- White Division to Portland,
ME in 1961. Compasses continue to be produced under the Danforth White label.
GUARANTEE OF SATISFACTION: You must be fully
satisfied with your purchase on arrival and that our description is entirely accurate or your money back. The only conditions
are that an email authorization be obtained within three days, and that the instrument is returned in its original condition
and packaging, and insured for its full value. Unfortunately, shipping charges are not included in this offer and are non-refundable
unless we are at fault.
International buyers welcome, but inquire first.
We have satisfied customers in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Chile, China, Czech
Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland,
Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Martinique, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Nova Scotia, Panama, Poland, Portugal,
Puerto Rico, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates,
USVI and the Eastern Caribbean.
SHIPPING & PACKING: The cost of shipping, packing, handling, and insurance
to your destination, is an additional charge. You may email us beforehand to get these costs. We price our shipping honestly,
but we expect to be reimbursed for the nominal cost of packaging materials and handling.
PACKAGING: We recommend that this item be shipped
in at least two cartons in order to minimize the risk of damage. We take great care in packaging our items for shipment
which includes bubble wrap, and placing in a box surrounded by impact absorbent material. However, we are not responsible,
once it is turned over to the carrier. Full Value insurance is required. In
the event of damage due to shipping we will assist you in all respects even to filing a claim in your behalf.
This
represents a very scarce example of an American highly stylized brass binnacle ship's compass which was made
around 1918 by a pedigreed American instrument maker of world renown. It is a valued addition to any serious collection, and
is priced accordingly.
ACCEPTED
FORMS OF PAYMENT are Bank wire transfer, cashier's check, money order, or personal check in which case the item will
be held until cleared. No credit cards or PayPal accepted on this item.
Copyright 2008 by Land And Sea Collection™, All Rights Reserved |
| Select a thumbnail from the left to zoom. |
|
|
|
|
| Image hosting and Zoom Gallery by VillagePhotos.com | | |
|
