3577

Britain, 18th Century

RARE HADLEY'S QUADRANT BY JOHN URINGS II

Signed on the inset ivory plaque on the cross-bar "{...] Urings Fecit London". Mahogany "T-frame" and radius arm with clamp. Index with a 90-degree arc; diagonal scale for dividing the increments on the index scale. Mounted brass peep hole sight, mirrors and filters. Lacking box.
Length 19.25". Width of arc 16".
Condition: Overall excellent condition. There are 2-3 areas of minor wear to the surface of the frame. There is a minor loss to the back edge of the radius. The 2 original filters are intact and in excellent condition. There is minor crazing to the front silvered mirrors as would be expected with an instrument of this age.

The absence of a condition report does not imply an object is free of defects. All items may have normal signs of age and wear commensurate with their age; these issues will likely not be mentioned in the condition report. Please contact Eldred's before the auction with any condition questions. Questions about condition will not be answered after purchase. Condition reports are provided as a courtesy, and we are not responsible for any errors or omissions. Important note on frames: Frames are not guaranteed to be in the same condition as they are in the item photograph. Due to handling and shipping, many frames, especially antique ones, are prone to losses. If you have questions about the condition of a frame, please contact us prior to the auction. 

  • Provenance:
    Sotheby's, London, Frank Collection of Scientific Instruments, 1986.
    The Kelton Collection of Marine Art & Artifacts.

    Notes:
    This very early quadrant, made shortly after Hadley's patent expired in 1747, exhibits features common to most early examples. First is its large size, which enabled the index arc to be engraved and read more accurately, before the use of ivory or metal arcs that allowed for finer calibration. Second is its two sighting locations, one on either arm. This instrument has only a 90-degree arc on the index. Third is the use of the diagonal scale for dividing the increments on the index scale. Though theoretically very accurate, the index was difficult to read in practice. Fourth is that it is mostly a wooden instrument. Finally, it uses peep holes, not telescopes, which were expensive at the time.

    John Urings (1738-c.1773) is known to have made a variety of different kinds of instruments. Other known examples include a 1752 Davis backstaff and a 1763 octant, as well as both telescopes and microscopes.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

We require prompt payment and removal of your purchases as stated in Paragraph 12 of the Conditions of Sale. If you plan to pick up your purchases, please call ahead and we'll make every effort to have your items ready. Our physical address is 1483 Route 6A, East Dennis, MA. Pick up of smaller items at our Mystic, CT location is also available with advance notice.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to provide shipping quotes until the invoice had been paid in full.
In house shipping is offered exclusively though UPS. All items are shipped with UPS insurance (max. $50,000). UPS insurance is billed at $2.70 for the first $100 and at $0.90 per hundred afterwards. Eldred's charges a minium $15 handling fee per package plus actual UPS shipping charges.
COLLECTION OF PURCHASES: Delivery or shipping arrangements must be made within seven (7) days from the close of the auction for all purchases. All items must be removed from Eldred's facilities within fourteen (14) days of the end of the auction. All items remaining after fourteen days may be subject to a $15/per item/per day storage fee. No items will be released unless storage fees are paid in full. Items remaining over thirty (30) days from the close of the auction may be sold for the buyer's account minus auction and storage fees.

August 5, 2022 9:30 AM EDT
East Dennis, MA, US

Eldred's

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $2,999 $100
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $29,999 $1,000
$30,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000