{"product_id":"francis-barker-wooden-pocket-compass-c-1865","title":"Francis Barker Wooden Pocket Compass c.1860","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;\"\u003eA rare wooden cased pocket compass, made in England, dating from c.1860. Although there are no makers marks, this is a well known Barker design and has the characteristic Barker 'hidden' hinges and the '7' shaped clasp. The compass has a round mahogany case, a flat blued needle with gilt North and South markers and a brass pivot, and a typical mid-Victorian period Barker compass card. There is a pin and lever transit lock which locks the needle when the lid is closed. Square shaped wooden box pocket compasses were made in England throughout the Victorian era, but this type of round wooden compass was only made in limited numbers and is much more uncommon. \u003cspan style=\"box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: currentcolor; font-size: inherit; text-align: inherit;\"\u003eA very similar compass can be seen \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: currentcolor; font-size: inherit; text-align: inherit;\"\u003eon p.19 of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci style=\"box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: currentcolor; font-size: inherit; text-align: inherit;\"\u003eCompass Chronicles\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan style=\"box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: currentcolor; font-size: inherit; text-align: inherit;\"\u003e (Schiffer, 2010) by Kornelia Takacs\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb style=\"box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;\"\u003e.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrancis Barker \u0026amp; Son: \u003c\/strong\u003ewere 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 \u0026amp; Zambra, J. Lizars, C. W. Dixey, Dollond, and many others. The company prospered until 1932, when it was taken over and became F. Barker \u0026amp; 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb style=\"box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;\"\u003eCondition\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;\"\u003e:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;\"\u003eIn very good condition, full working order and finds North very well. The wooden case is in very good condition, with a few minor marks. The clasp and hinge are in very good condition. The transit lock is working well. There is some minor surface corrosion to the needle. The paper compass card and glass are in very good condition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;\"\u003eDimensions: 45mm diameter x 15mm height\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Compass Library","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":68276173602967,"sku":null,"price":5276.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/6131\/files\/BarkerRoundwoodencompass-39.jpg?v=1794152682","url":"https:\/\/www.compasslibrary.com\/en-za\/products\/francis-barker-wooden-pocket-compass-c-1865","provider":"Compass Library","version":"1.0","type":"link"}