Octant and case, circa 1790

octant; octant case

Ebony and brass octant, English, dated ca. 1790, used by Joseph Wright Alsop I (1772-1844), who once owned CONDOR, brig out of Middletown. Ivory nameplate and scale on front, and ivory plate on back of frame. Foresight and backsight, each with a peepsight. Scale has stamped in ‘I(foul anchor)R’ indicating it was divided on a dividing engine of Jesse Ramsden. Turned bone piece attached to a pencil and screws into a pencil hole in the brace. Metal piece broken off upper mirror. In oak stepped case painted green (quite dull) with brass fittings. Box 15 1/8" long