Octant and case made by Josiah Culmer, London (active 1788-1805)

octant and case

Octant, brass fittings, ivory vernier and inset ivory scale marked each 5 deg. to 95 deg. Marked "J. Culmer Maker Wapping new Stairs London" (Josiah Culmer, w.1788-1805). Instrument is of ebony wood, with brass fittings and brass index arm handsomely etched with a bird and flowers below it. Ivory scale and vernier; 2 sights, 3 movable glasses. (Culmer No. 820 in MPHE 1714-1840.) Wood case, hinged, with the name of William D. Hockridge painted on the cover. Trade labe,l with decorative illustrations of instruments, on inside top of case reads "Jos. Gaitskill / Compass maker / AND / Ship Chandler / No. 332 Wappin / Union Stairs / London", (Jos. Gaitskill, w.1778-1811). [Ref: Willem Merzer Bruyns, July 2006.]