From collection Objects Collection
Navigational Instrument: sextant in box, marked
9.25" x 10.5" x 4.25" sextant made by J. Sewell in England. Used for measuring the angular distances between objects and especially for taking altitudes in navigation. This sextant has an unusual laminated frame consisting of 2 1-mm-thick webs of blackened brass separated by a space of 15 mm and held apart by 18 bright brass posts. Similarly designed sextants were made c.1830. The legend on the bright brass scale marked: "J. Sewell, 64 South Castle St., Liverpool & 30 Cornhill, London. Maker to the Admiralty." Included in the dovetailed mahogany case (single recessed brass handle) are four telescopes and two colored-glass (neutral and red) eyepieces. Navigational Instrument: sextant in box, marked. Sextant in box J. Sewill, London. Old number 686 Sextant. Unusual laminated frame consisting of 2 1-mm-thick webs of blackened brass separated by a space of 15 mm and held apart by 18 bright brass posts. Similarly designed sextants in the Peabody Museum Collection were made c.1830. The legend on the bright brass scale reads: "J. Sewell, 64 South Castle St., Liverpool & 30 Cornhill, London. Maker to the Admiralty." Included in the dovetailed mahogany case (single recessed brass handle) are four telescopes and two colored-glass (neutral and red) eyepieces. John Sewill of Liverpool and London is listed in the London Directories 1870-1875 as a chronometer maker, 30 Cornhill. (Peabody Museum Collection of Navigating Instruments, 1963)
