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Dry Card Compass

Catalogue number:
PH*327635

Inscriptions:
"R. L. SHAW * 222 WATER S^T NEW-YORK*"

Dimensions:
compass 7.25 inches diameter; box 10 inches square

Discussion:
The compass has a brass bowl gimbal mounted in a wooden box with a paper card made for Robert Ludlow Shaw. The box is marked "J. BELL’S PATENT JANY 25, 1853." The reference is to John Bell of New York City who designed a method of joining the corners of wooden boxes.

Ref: John Bell, "Method of Joining Corners of Boxes, &c." U.S. Patent #9,552 (1853).

Further Information:

Shaw
Compass