I am very tempted to keep this one, such an excellent object, and how often does one come across an old handmade compass? (Pretty much never in my experience.) Wonderfully carved wooden perimeter rim, not quite regular, which was nailed down over glass to close up the case. The dial and needle look to be cut of tin, with hand-drawn compass rose (looks like very dark graphite to me) and N and S stamped into the needle. And then on the back, its maker, I might guess a Boy Scout, impressed his name, Oliver Vanasdal it looks to me, and the year, 1905, and the proud words "made this compass." I love an old folk art clock face made for teaching time, but in my view this is a hundred time better. And though I'm not very good at using a compass, it seems to me still to be working (hold it flat, and the magnetized needle moves as one orients in different directions.)
4 1/2" in diameter x 3/4" deep. One crack in the glass right down the middle (which one could read as a metaphor of sorts) but otherwise beautiful antique condition, nice warm dry patina to the wood, sturdy and sound, a wonderful object.
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