A very rare J. H. Steward Verner's Complete Sketching Instrument, dating from c.1896. The 'Verner's Complete Sketcher' appeared in Steward military instrument catalogues from c.1893 to 1916, and was intended for 'Prospecting and Military Use'. Made of boxwood, with brass sights, clinometer, and inset compass, it comes complete with its original fitted leather case. The 1899 Steward catalogue included the following testimonial from Major J. Burton Foster of the Royal Irish Regiment: 'I have very carefully examined and tried the compact little "Complete Sketching Instrument" designed by Captain W. Verner. With it anyone acquainted with Military Surveying can execute a reliable map in a rapid and very satisfactory mannner, independent of any extras save sketching case, pencil and India rubber. When proceeding on active service again, I shall take care one of these instruments forms part of my field kit'.
Several versions of this instrument were produced by J. H. Steward under various names over the years, including 'The Complete Sketcher', 'Improved Complete Sketcher' (1896), 'The Verner Complete Sketching Instrument' (1901), 'Verner Rapid Sketcher' (1910), and the 'Verner Rapid Sketcher Mark II' (1916). This example combines elements of both the Mk I and Mk II Sketcher: the fixed sights of the MK I, and the compass positioned on the right hand side as seen in the Mk II - suggesting that the instrument was being continually developed and revised.
Apart from the Mark I type non-extending sights, this sketcher is essentially identical to the 'Improved' or 'Rapid' Mark II instruments. In the catalogues it was described as having 'all the merits of the Mark I pattern with several improvements, which considerably increase its accuracy. At the same time very little has been added to the size of the instrument, the dimensions being 6 x 3 inches and 1/4 inch thick, so that it can be conveniently carried in the breast pocket. The slightly larger protractor admits the use of a larger compass, giving more open divisions. The floating card dial is divided in a similar fashion to the dial in Mark I, and has a jewelled centre and also a locking stop.' The instrument also featured a clinometer, with 'a countersunk swinging plumb bob, controlled by an improved stop, which is released on pressing a button, and fixed on withdrawing the pressure'.
Lt-Colonel Willoghby Verner (1852-1922): was a British army officer and scientific instrument inventor who served on the staff in the Egyptian campaign of 1884-85 and during the Second Boer War. He retired as a Lt-Colonel in May 1904, having never fully recovered after being seriously injured at the battle of Graspan in November 1899. The earliest Verner designs were simple pocket compasses, before he developed an innovative prismatic version, with various models of his service pattern Mk III to Mk VII compass appearing between c.1900-1918. His prismatic compasses were essentially a development of the Schmalcalder Patent design of the early 19th century, but they remained the standard service compass of the British army until the start of WW2. As well as designing compasses, Verner was a prolific author, military historian and chronicler of the Rifle Brigade. Verner was also briefly Professor of Topography at Sandhurst, inventing the 'Complete Sketching Instrument' and developing his own version of the Cavalry Sketching Board. He patented his improvements to the board in 1887 and 1891 and it became generally known as the ‘Verner's'. He had a long standing business relationship with J. H. Steward Ltd, and they produced versions of many of his instruments, including service compasses, plane tables, sketching boards, and the 'Complete Sketcher'.
J. H. Steward Ltd: James Henry Steward (1817-1896) established his business in London in 1852 as a maker and retailer of optical, scientific, military and surveying instruments, and the company became one of the most important instrument manufacturers of the Victorian and Edwardian eras. J. H. Steward was the head optician of the company and had businesses at 406 Strand, 457 West Strand and 54 Cornhill in London. In the mid 1800s he became the optician to Her Majesty's Government and the National Rifle, and National Artillery Associations. James Henry Steward died in 1896. J. H. Steward Ltd was incorporated in 1912 and continued in business in London until 1973. The main London office was sold in 1971, and from 1971-1973 the company rented premises in Catherine Street. All the remaining stock and long serving staff member George Goble (c.1916-1975) were moved to Catherine Street. The business finally moved to 154a Church Road, Hove, Sussex in 1973, before finally ceasing trading in 1975.
Condition:
In excellent condition and full working order, with minor signs of wear and use. The compass is in very good condition and finds North well. The clinometer is in full working order. The leather case is in very good condition, with minor signs of use.
Dimensions: 75mm x 140mm
