Dry Card Compass

Object Details

Ball

Description

This is a model for the mariner’s compass with glass bowl for which Jonathan Ball received a patent in 1835. It can be used as a tell-tale compass because the card is legible from above and below. This model is probably a reconstruction, made after the original was destroyed when the U.S. Patent Office burned in 1836. The Patent Office transferred it to the Smithsonian in 1926. The inscriptions read "J. BALL. PATENT" and "Engraved by W. HOOKER New York." William Hooker was an engraver who also sold charts and instruments for nautical use.

Ref: "For an Improvement in the Mariners’ Compass; Jonathan Ball, Buffaloe [sic], Erie County, New York, March 6," Journal of the Franklin Institute 16 (1835): 234-235.

Location

Currently not on view

ID Number

PH.308536

catalog number

308536

accession number

89797

Object Name

Nautical compass (dry card)

Nautical Compass (Dry Card)

Measurements

overall: 5 3/4 in x 9 in; 14.605 cm x 22.86 cm

overall: 7 in x 10 1/2 in x 10 1/2 in; 17.78 cm x 26.67 cm x 26.67 cm

place made

United States: New York, New York

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Medicine and Science: Physical Sciences

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Measuring & Mapping

National Museum of American History

Record ID

nmah_1167839

Metadata Usage (text)

CC0

GUID (Link to Original Record)

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746aa-246a-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa