Compass

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This brass marine compass dates from around 1870. It was retailed by David Stalker, a nautical instrument maker based in Leith, but was probably manufactured in London by G. Whitbread.

The compass has fixed sights and is engraved around the rim 'G. Whitbread London'. It is housed in a glazed and weighted brass bowl. The compass card is signed 'D. STALKER/LEITH/ Quadrant, Compass & Telescope Maker/ 9 Commercial Place'.

David Stalker was born in Leith around 1830, son of a master sailmaker. He set up in business in 1855 in Commercial Street and continued to trade there until his death in 1895.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-102-834-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1987.156
• Date: Around 1870
  c. 1870
  
• Material: Brass. Inscription: D. STALKER // Quadrant, Compass & Telescope Maker / 9, Commercial Place; / LEITH.; G. Whitbread London
  Compass, dry card bearing
  
• Dimensions: 210 mm x 200 mm x 235 mm
  
• What: Compass, dry card bearing
  
• Subject:
• Who: David Stalker, 9 Commercial Place, Leith (Retailer)
  G. Whitbread, London (Maker)
  The Leith Nautical College Collection
  
• Where: England, London
  Scotland, Midlothian, Leith
  
• Event:
• Description: Dry card bearing compass, by G. Whitbread of London, retailed by David Stalker of Leith, c. 1870
  
• References:
  • Clarke, T.N., Morrison-Low, A.D. & Simpson, A.D.C. Brass & glass scientific instrument making workshops in Scotland as illustrated by instruments from the Arthur Frank Collection at the Royal Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh: NMS, 1989. pp 108-9 
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