Description

Rare and good plane table surveying 6 inch compass with folding alidades by Shuttleworth c.1780

Composed of mahogany wood, brass alidades, steel compass needle (still points N) and silvered dial divided into 8 cardinal points with central flourish at pivot point. Signed “Shuttleworth, London” in flowing script, this compass has it’s original glass held in place by brown colourised putty and has an engine divided and silvered outer ring in full 360, one degree divisions. 

As you can see, the silvering of the dial is now about 50% however the alidade hinge points, large square lid hinges and hooks to lock the lid are all intact. The compass needle automatically locks when the lid is closed. It measures 6 3/4 x 5 3/4 x 1 inch thick.

Henry Raynes Shuttleworth worked on Ludgate Street from 1760-1797 and was apprenticed to John Cuff c.1750.