DOUBLE FRAME PILLAR SEXTANT BY EDWARD TROUGHTON
London, Circa 1795
Signed on the arc of the frame "Troughton London". T-frame formed with strips of brass in duplicate, and joined with turned brass pillars. Brass arc inset with a silver scale calibrated from 5 to 155 degrees. Index arm with clamp and tangent screws. With magnifier, vernier scale, lignum vitae handle, two sets of colored filters and telescopic lens. Within the original wedge-shaped mahogany case with hinged lid and a label for "Observatory, Devenport", with date, calibration and owner information, and "J. Combes Admiralty Agent, dec.".
Sextant length 11.5". Width of arc 14". Box height 5". Length 12.5". Width 16.25".
Provenance:
Sotheby's London, Frank Collection of Scientific Instruments, 1986.
The Kelton Collection of Marine Art & Artifacts.

Exhibited:
Pacific Asia Museum at U.S.C.: "Trade and Treasure Exhibition", 1987.

Notes:
Edward Troughton (1753-1836), was a founding member of the Royal Astronomical Society and one of the most important makers and designers of instruments. He patented this form of sextant in 1788. Termed the "Troughton Type", it was being made as late as 1830. This type of sextant is featured in Winslow Homer’s painting "Eight Bells".

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age; these issues will likely not be mentioned in the condition report. Please contact Eldred's before the auction with any condition questions. Questions about condition will not be answered after purchase. Condition reports are provided as a courtesy, and we are not responsible for any errors or omissions. Important note on frames: Frames are not guaranteed to be in the same condition as they are in the item photograph. Due to handling and shipping, many frames, especially antique ones, are prone to losses. If you have questions about the condition of a frame, please contact us prior to the auction.