1st May, 2018 11:00
Maritime and Scientific Models, Instruments & Art ('Britannia')
149
[M] Ø AN HISTORICALLY INTERESTING 10½IN. RADIUS...
˜Ø AN HISTORICALLY INTERESTING 10½IN. RADIUS WHALING OCTANT, PROBABLY BY D.W. LAIRD, LEITH, CIRCA 1847
unsigned, the ivory scale divided to 100º and stamped 'WH' by 50º, brass index arm inscribed James Clark / First Mate Whaling Barque "North of Scotland" / of Peterhead; died at NORTH GREENLAND, / 26th July, 1847., pinhole sights, three shades, mirrors and feet (lacking some minor components) -- 13in. (33cm.) high
The North of Scotland was a 297 ton whaling barque built at Sunderland in 1845. After a modest season where 4 whales and 36 seals produced 53 tuns of oil, 1847 yielded 2 whales and 5635 seals, producing 80 tuns. It seems James Clark died en route from Iceland on the 26th July 1847 aged 46 and was buried in Scotland - his widow erecting a headstone. She was buried with him in 1909 aged 90 with their three sons and wives also joining them in due course. It seems likely this octant, which has little sign of use, was presented to the widow by the owners, at present it is unknown who the scale divider 'WH' is, and to date only one other (similar) example has been recorded and is held by the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, ref. T.1980.182 the maker's label for David White Laird of Leith (w.1834-51).
unsigned, the ivory scale divided to 100º and stamped 'WH' by 50º, brass index arm inscribed James Clark / First Mate Whaling Barque "North of Scotland" / of Peterhead; died at NORTH GREENLAND, / 26th July, 1847., pinhole sights, three shades, mirrors and feet (lacking some minor components) -- 13in. (33cm.) high
The North of Scotland was a 297 ton whaling barque built at Sunderland in 1845. After a modest season where 4 whales and 36 seals produced 53 tuns of oil, 1847 yielded 2 whales and 5635 seals, producing 80 tuns. It seems James Clark died en route from Iceland on the 26th July 1847 aged 46 and was buried in Scotland - his widow erecting a headstone. She was buried with him in 1909 aged 90 with their three sons and wives also joining them in due course. It seems likely this octant, which has little sign of use, was presented to the widow by the owners, at present it is unknown who the scale divider 'WH' is, and to date only one other (similar) example has been recorded and is held by the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, ref. T.1980.182 the maker's label for David White Laird of Leith (w.1834-51).
Sold for £930
Estimated at £800 - £1,200
(inc. buyer's premium of 24%)
˜Ø AN HISTORICALLY INTERESTING 10½IN. RADIUS WHALING OCTANT, PROBABLY BY D.W. LAIRD, LEITH, CIRCA 1847
unsigned, the ivory scale divided to 100º and stamped 'WH' by 50º, brass index arm inscribed James Clark / First Mate Whaling Barque "North of Scotland" / of Peterhead; died at NORTH GREENLAND, / 26th July, 1847., pinhole sights, three shades, mirrors and feet (lacking some minor components) -- 13in. (33cm.) high
The North of Scotland was a 297 ton whaling barque built at Sunderland in 1845. After a modest season where 4 whales and 36 seals produced 53 tuns of oil, 1847 yielded 2 whales and 5635 seals, producing 80 tuns. It seems James Clark died en route from Iceland on the 26th July 1847 aged 46 and was buried in Scotland - his widow erecting a headstone. She was buried with him in 1909 aged 90 with their three sons and wives also joining them in due course. It seems likely this octant, which has little sign of use, was presented to the widow by the owners, at present it is unknown who the scale divider 'WH' is, and to date only one other (similar) example has been recorded and is held by the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, ref. T.1980.182 the maker's label for David White Laird of Leith (w.1834-51).
unsigned, the ivory scale divided to 100º and stamped 'WH' by 50º, brass index arm inscribed James Clark / First Mate Whaling Barque "North of Scotland" / of Peterhead; died at NORTH GREENLAND, / 26th July, 1847., pinhole sights, three shades, mirrors and feet (lacking some minor components) -- 13in. (33cm.) high
The North of Scotland was a 297 ton whaling barque built at Sunderland in 1845. After a modest season where 4 whales and 36 seals produced 53 tuns of oil, 1847 yielded 2 whales and 5635 seals, producing 80 tuns. It seems James Clark died en route from Iceland on the 26th July 1847 aged 46 and was buried in Scotland - his widow erecting a headstone. She was buried with him in 1909 aged 90 with their three sons and wives also joining them in due course. It seems likely this octant, which has little sign of use, was presented to the widow by the owners, at present it is unknown who the scale divider 'WH' is, and to date only one other (similar) example has been recorded and is held by the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, ref. T.1980.182 the maker's label for David White Laird of Leith (w.1834-51).
Auction: Maritime and Scientific Models, Instruments & Art ('Britannia'), 1st May, 2018
