A remarkable discovery, a scientific instrument maker’s shop sign in the form of a giant mariners
octant nearly 4 feet high! and dating from about 1830.
This is a unique, original nineteenth century wooden shop sign in the form of an instrument (spectacles
are for wearing). It is 43 inches (110cms) tall by 37 inches (94cms) wide and is marked
‘STEVENS [Lo’ and half of an ‘N’, I take this to be London. There were a number of Stevens
working in London from the end of the eighteenth century to the middle of the nineteenth century and it
is impossible to decide which one is alluded to here.
It is extremely rare and is the only original example I have seen in forty years trading, and is much
rarer than the mid-shipman, of which I have had two in my career, and seen many others.
The sign was clearly made by a craftsman who was familiar with a real octant, as it is correctly
proportioned. It is covered in very weathered coarse black paint, and what would have been the
lacquered brass components are finished in weathered gilt lacquer. Naturally, in something this old,
and which may have been in the open-air for a 100 years, and which was designed to be seen
outdoors, it has been painted on a number of occasions, and so has seen some wear.
It was designed to be fitted flush to the shop’s facade above the entrance doorway and not ‘hung’,
as can be seen in the trade card ca.1830 (illustrated).
The method of joining the parts is not obvious and I have not seen any screws or nails, perhaps tenon
joints were used. The graduations are painted, not incised, and I am sure they have been assisted
during their history and a part of the index arm may have been replaced.
I am aware of its whereabouts for the last thirty odd years, when it was hung by a modern chain fixed
to the rear.
It is a very imposing object and an astonishing survival. It is English and made circa 1830.
The Ticket Price is £2600, and the negotiated price can include delivery anywhere in England.
