Vintage Spencer & Co. Cased Brass and Wood Sextant, circa 1830s-40s

Presented is a British nautical sextant, dating to the 1830-40s. The brass and wood sextant was made by Spencer & Co. in London. The sextant has a wood body, brass index arm, and an ivory graduated arc, numbered every 5 degrees. The sextant has 6 total glass filters, an index mirror, and a brass horizon mirror clip. A small ivory label, affixed to the body, reads, “Spencer & Co. London.” The sextant comes in the original wooden wedge-shaped case, with the remnants of a paper label from the original American retailer, Robert King, pasted on the underside of the lid. 

The first version of the sextant was introduced in the 1730s by John Hadley and Thomas Godfrey. The sextant became a hugely important tool during exploratory voyages of the 18th century as mariners were able to more accurately pinpoint their position and distance from their destination. The sextant is an instrument that uses reflecting mirrors to determine the distance between a celestial object and the horizon, in order to calculate the latitudinal position of the vessel. The object could be a sun, moon, planet, or a star. 

Spencer & Co., frequently styled Spencer, Browning & Co., was a respected London maker of nautical and scientific instruments in the 19th century, continuing the legacy of the celebrated firm Spencer, Browning & Rust, first established in 1784. After the deaths of the company’s original partners by 1819, the business passed to successors who retained the well known names, capitalizing on an established reputation for dependable craftsmanship and accuracy, often appearing as "Spencer, Browning & Co." or "Spencer & Co." on instruments. Operating from addresses in the heart of London’s river trade in Wapping, including 111 Minories and 66 High Street, the firm supplied instruments to ship captains, merchants, naval officers, and surveyors. Their range included brass sextants, telescopes, compasses, and barometers, practical tools that were both functional and handsomely made, often housed in mahogany cases. They often sold their wares to American and European markets, through export retailers. 

Robert King was a mathematical and nautical instrument maker, repairer, and seller, specializing in compasses, sextants, barometers, navigators, thermometers. New York directories, as well as other nautical instrument examples in museums and auctions,  indicate that he operated in both England and New York between 1769 and 1868. In the United States, there are eight different shop addresses in New York City from 1812 to 1843, as well as a shop in New Orleans from 1822-1823. He operated his 212 Front Street shop, as seen on this sextant's label, from 1838 to 1843.

CONDITION:

Very good condition. Minor tarnish on brass arc, small dents, wear to the finish of the wooden sextant body. Inlaid ivory graded arc, with numbers legible, light discoloration to ivory. Brass index mirror clip, with glass intact. Brass horizon mirror clip, but missing horizon glass. No telescope, as sometimes seen with mid-19th and later 19th century sextants. In the original wooden case, wedge-shaped, with a hinged lid. Box with surface wear, dents and scratches to outside finish and corner wear. A retailer’s paper label for “Robert King” is pasted on the underside of the box’s lid, with remnants of another paper label on top, now torn. 

Sextant Dimensions: 12 3/4" L x 10 1/2" W x 3 1/2" D . Case Dimensions: 14 7/8 L x 12 3/4" W x 4 1/4" D. 

Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.