A rare early example of an English wooden pocket sundial compass, dating from c.1860, signed by the retailer, Robert Sadd of Cambridge. Although there are no makers marks, this particular type of pocket sundial design was made by Francis Barker during the mid Victorian period. This instrument is identical to one of the earliest known examples, dating from c.1855, which Barker made for Robert Gogerty (1814-1856) of 72 Fleet Street. Gogerty ceased trading soon afterwards and died in 1856. Other examples of this type of wooden pocket sundial were made by James Parkes (1786-1877) of Birmingham. Although the design and dimensions of the Parkes version are very similar to the Barker sundials, there were significant differences - including a different compass card, and the instruction label being in italics. Parkes had established his business in Birmingham in 1815 - long before Francis Barker started trading in London, and it is impossible to be sure whether Barker or Parkes was the originator of this very distinctive type of pocket sundial. We may never know, but the Sadd pocket sundial was almost certainly made by Barker.
The compass has a wooden case, made from Yew, with the typical Barker design paper compass card, hidden hinges, and '7' shaped clasps. It has a blued needle with gold painted markers and a brass pivot, and a pin and lever operated transit lock which locks the needle when the lid is closed. The original paper label inside the lid includes full instructions for the set up and use of the sundial. The compass is signed on the exterior of the lid by 'Sadd, Cambridge'.
Robert Thomas Sadd (1815-1894) was an optician, jeweller and silversmith at 7 King's Parade, Cambridge from the mid 19th century. The family business had been established in Cambridge in the late 18th century by Robert Sadd Snr (1766-1866), starting out as dealers in antiques. His son, Robert Thomas Sadd (1815-1894) took over the business and by 1841 he was trading at 7 King's Parade. He remained there for over 50 years. He was joined in the business by his son, Alfred Henry Sadd (1852-1914), who described himself as a 'Numismatist, Antiquary, Jeweller and Silversmith'. From 1877 the shop was renamed 'Robert Sadd & Son'. Their neighbour at No. 8 King's Parade was a plumber and Captain of the Cambridge Volunteer Fire Brigade, Henry Edward Greef. Their names apparently provided the locals with a great deal of amusement - Sadd and Greef working next door to each other in the same street. But by 1914 the business was in trouble, and Alfred could no longer afford to pay the rent. As the Cambridge News noted in April 1914: 'The unhappy conjunction of the name Sadd and Greef on King's Parade has been a well-worn joke. Now it is about to be broken. Mr Sadd is soon to move to premises in St Edward's Passage while Mr Greef is moving further up the Parade'.
Alfred's story came to a tragic conclusion soon afterwards. On 7th September 1914 he fell from the roof of King's College Chapel and was killed. He had apparently climbed the scaffolding that was in place around the Chapel. He left a rather darkly humorous note, written in verse:
"Then Trade was bad,
Not much to be had,
And he was getting old,
Now isn't that Sadd".
The inquest jury did not find that there was sufficient evidence to return a verdict of suicide. Instead they concluded that he was 'found dead in the grounds of King's College with a fractured skull, caused by falling form the top of King's College Chapel'. Alfred's obituary in the Cambridge Independent Press noted that 'The late Mr Sadd was popular for his genial disposition and cheery nature. He was the life of any gathering and carried a feeling of good fellowship wherever he went. No man in Cambridge could be more missed by his friends than he will be, for no man was less appropriately named'.
Condition
In very good condition, full working order and finds North well. The wooden case is in very good condition, with a few minor marks. The clasps, hinges, and lid support are all in good condition and working as they should. The transit lock is fully functional. The paper compass card, needle, and glass are all in very good condition. The original paper instructions label inside the lid is in very good condition.
Dimensions: 55mm x 75mm x 20mm
Francis Barker & Son: were established in London in 1848, as a maker of compasses and scientific instruments. One of the most important British scientific instrument makers of the Victorian era, Francis Barker produced a very wide range of compass designs throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, supplying major retailers such as Negretti & Zambra, J. Lizars, C. W. Dixey, Dollond, and many others. The company prospered until 1932, when it was taken over and became F. Barker & Son (1932). After WW2 the company changed hands several times and the name is now owned by Pyser Optics of Edenbridge in Kent. They continue to produce the renowned Barker M-73, widely acknowledged to be the world's finest prismatic compass.
Sundial compasses had been made in Europe since the late 17th century, with wooden cased types known to have been made since the early 19th century. Further details of this particular Barker compass design, and the history of pocket sundial compasses, can be found at compassmuseum.com.
