Native American, Western, American, and Southern Auction
Fri, May 21, 2021 09:00AM EDT
Lot 1133
Signed Goldsmith Chandlee Surveyor's Compass
Estimate: $2,000 - $3,000
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $25 |
| $100 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $200 |
| $3,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,000 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
Winchester, Virginia, late 18th/early 19th century,ÿsilvered brass face engraved with eight directionals at star points, engraved fleur de lis at north point, signed "G:Chandlee" and "Winchester" around the southern edge above outkeeper window, steel needle and silvered brass arm, underside with outkeeper knob and staff socket, withÿnorth and south blades and sighting vanes, 6-1/8 bezel diameter, overall 7-1/4 x 14-1/4 in.; wooden staff with brass head and swivel ball connector, pointed iron tip, overall staff length 51-1/4 in.ÿ - Provenance: Private Collection, Kingsport, Tennessee - Note: Goldmsith Chandlee (1751-1821) was born inÿNottingham, Maryland toÿclockmaker Benjamin Chandlee, Jr.ÿand Mary Folwell Chandlee."Goldsmith Chandlee must be counted as one of the most notable American compass makers. His compasses are works of art and were technically advanced. The compass faces show fine design, craftsmanship, engraving and ornate decoration. Technically his compasses were the most advanced of their day. He made both plain and vernier compasses. All but one of the known Goldsmith Chandlee compasses have his "L" and "T" table (for converting tenths of perches and to links and vice versa.) All known Goldsmith Chandlee compasses also have an outkeeper and dial that converts outs to poles, the invention of which (or its application to a compass) we can attribute to him. ..." -- Dr. Richard and Robert Elgin, ?Goldsmith Chandlee? Virtual Museum of Surveying, www.surveyhistory.org/goldsmith_chandlee1.htm.ÿWhile this example does have the outkeeper window located at the south point, it does not have the outkeeper dial. Additionally, this example is lacking the engraved "L" and "T" table typically located on the south blade of the compass.
dial with scattered spots of corrosion and fine scratches, underside with apparent loss to knob controlling brass arm, some losses to screw heads,ÿother scattered areas of verdigris/discoloration, small dents, dial cover faintly inscribed "J.H.W." (probably later) , staff with some cracksÿ
Condition
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