Thomas Jones of Liverpool | Mid-19th Century Alidade Compass | Walnut-Cased Precision Survey Instrument | Mid 19th Century

Provenance & Ownership History
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Offered by Waddington’s Auctioneers & Appraisers, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in its Militaria Online Auction on March 14, 2013, as Lot 103. The piece subsequently entered a prominent private collection in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

$1,250.00
$1,250.00
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This is a one-of-a-kind historical object. Once sold, this exact piece will not be restocked.
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Mid-19th century British alidade compass in walnut case, silvered degree ring, and paper label, crafted by Thomas Jones of Liverpool, 6.1 x 6.1 inches closed, used for surveying and navigation.
Rotating 360-degree video of a mid-19th-century Thomas Jones Liverpool alidade compass, showing the open walnut case, silvered degree ring, magnetic needle, brass sighting arms, fittings, and exterior case.
Open mid-19th-century Thomas Jones Liverpool alidade compass in its walnut case, showing the circular silvered degree ring and brass sighting arms.
Front-facing open walnut surveyor’s compass with silvered circular dial, central magnetic needle, and hinged wooden lid.
Angled photograph of the Thomas Jones alidade compass showing the walnut case, compass dial, brass fittings, and open lid.
Raised angle of the antique British surveying compass showing the circular instrument seated within its fitted walnut case.
Top-down photograph of the open alidade compass highlighting the silvered degree scale, magnetic needle, and brass sighting components.
Open Thomas Jones surveying instrument with one brass alidade arm extending across the silvered compass dial.
Close angled photograph of the 19th-century compass showing its engraved degree ring, needle, brass fittings, and walnut case interior.
Side-angle view of the open walnut-cased alidade compass with projecting brass sighting arm and circular silvered dial.
Closed walnut case of a mid-19th-century Thomas Jones surveying compass showing its figured wood grain and aged surface patina.
Front edge of the closed antique walnut compass case showing the original dark metal clasp and richly figured wood surface.
Closed British surveying compass case with central brass-colored lock plate, beveled edge, and naturally aged walnut finish.
Opposite exterior angle of the walnut instrument case showing its low rectangular profile, hinged construction, and 19th-century surface wear.
Thomas Jones of Liverpool | Mid-19th Century Alidade Compass | Walnut-Cased Precision Survey Instrument | Mid 19th Century
  • Mid-19th century British alidade compass in walnut case, silvered degree ring, and paper label, crafted by Thomas Jones of Liverpool, 6.1 x 6.1 inches closed, used for surveying and navigation.
  • Rotating 360-degree video of a mid-19th-century Thomas Jones Liverpool alidade compass, showing the open walnut case, silvered degree ring, magnetic needle, brass sighting arms, fittings, and exterior case.
  • Open mid-19th-century Thomas Jones Liverpool alidade compass in its walnut case, showing the circular silvered degree ring and brass sighting arms.
  • Front-facing open walnut surveyor’s compass with silvered circular dial, central magnetic needle, and hinged wooden lid.
  • Angled photograph of the Thomas Jones alidade compass showing the walnut case, compass dial, brass fittings, and open lid.
  • Raised angle of the antique British surveying compass showing the circular instrument seated within its fitted walnut case.
  • Top-down photograph of the open alidade compass highlighting the silvered degree scale, magnetic needle, and brass sighting components.
  • Open Thomas Jones surveying instrument with one brass alidade arm extending across the silvered compass dial.
  • Close angled photograph of the 19th-century compass showing its engraved degree ring, needle, brass fittings, and walnut case interior.
  • Side-angle view of the open walnut-cased alidade compass with projecting brass sighting arm and circular silvered dial.
  • Closed walnut case of a mid-19th-century Thomas Jones surveying compass showing its figured wood grain and aged surface patina.
  • Front edge of the closed antique walnut compass case showing the original dark metal clasp and richly figured wood surface.
  • Closed British surveying compass case with central brass-colored lock plate, beveled edge, and naturally aged walnut finish.
  • Opposite exterior angle of the walnut instrument case showing its low rectangular profile, hinged construction, and 19th-century surface wear.
  • Thomas Jones of Liverpool | Mid-19th Century Alidade Compass | Walnut-Cased Precision Survey Instrument | Mid 19th Century
Mid-19th century British alidade compass in walnut case, silvered degree ring, and paper label, crafted by Thomas Jones of Liverpool, 6.1 x 6.1 inches closed, used for surveying and navigation.
Rotating 360-degree video of a mid-19th-century Thomas Jones Liverpool alidade compass, showing the open walnut case, silvered degree ring, magnetic needle, brass sighting arms, fittings, and exterior case.
Open mid-19th-century Thomas Jones Liverpool alidade compass in its walnut case, showing the circular silvered degree ring and brass sighting arms.
Front-facing open walnut surveyor’s compass with silvered circular dial, central magnetic needle, and hinged wooden lid.
Angled photograph of the Thomas Jones alidade compass showing the walnut case, compass dial, brass fittings, and open lid.
Raised angle of the antique British surveying compass showing the circular instrument seated within its fitted walnut case.
Top-down photograph of the open alidade compass highlighting the silvered degree scale, magnetic needle, and brass sighting components.
Open Thomas Jones surveying instrument with one brass alidade arm extending across the silvered compass dial.
Close angled photograph of the 19th-century compass showing its engraved degree ring, needle, brass fittings, and walnut case interior.
Side-angle view of the open walnut-cased alidade compass with projecting brass sighting arm and circular silvered dial.
Closed walnut case of a mid-19th-century Thomas Jones surveying compass showing its figured wood grain and aged surface patina.
Front edge of the closed antique walnut compass case showing the original dark metal clasp and richly figured wood surface.
Closed British surveying compass case with central brass-colored lock plate, beveled edge, and naturally aged walnut finish.
Opposite exterior angle of the walnut instrument case showing its low rectangular profile, hinged construction, and 19th-century surface wear.
Thomas Jones of Liverpool | Mid-19th Century Alidade Compass | Walnut-Cased Precision Survey Instrument | Mid 19th Century
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Thomas Jones of Liverpool | Mid-19th Century Alidade Compass | Walnut-Cased Precision Survey Instrument | Mid 19th Century

Description
More Less

Historical Context & Origin

Region: United Kingdom (Liverpool)
Material: Walnut case, silvered degree ring, paper label
Period: Mid-19th Century

Description

A fine example of 19th-century British precision instrumentation, this walnut-cased alidade compass was crafted by Thomas Jones of Liverpool, a respected maker of scientific and surveying instruments. The piece reflects the essential role such tools played in navigation, surveying, and cartography during Britain’s age of industrial and exploratory expansion. The silvered degree ring and original paper label provided clarity in measurement, while the walnut housing protected the instrument during field use.

Features

- Walnut case designed for durability and protection

- Silvered degree ring for precise directional readings

- Original paper label with instrument markings

- Compact portable design for field surveying

- Produced by Thomas Jones of Liverpool, noted instrument maker

Cultural Significance

Known as a turning board, the alidade compass was indispensable to explorers, geographers, and military engineers of the 19th century. It enabled accurate horizontal angle measurements essential for mapmaking and land surveying. Instruments produced by Thomas Jones were respected for their reliability and craftsmanship, contributing to the broader development of scientific exploration and industrial surveying across the British Empire.

Condition

Well-preserved with original silvered ring and paper label intact. Surface wear and patina consistent with age enhance its historical authenticity.

Dimensions (Approximate)

Height: 6.1 in
Width: 6.1 in

Age (Approximate)

150–175 years old

Provenance 

Offered by Waddington’s Auctioneers & Appraisers, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in its Militaria Online Auction on March 14, 2013, as Lot 103. The piece subsequently entered a prominent private collection in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Learn More

Study the use of early surveying instruments in the Surveyor’s Compass Collection at the Shaker Museum

Browse our Collection of Maritime and Scientific Relics

Description

Historical Context & Origin

Region: United Kingdom (Liverpool)
Material: Walnut case, silvered degree ring, paper label
Period: Mid-19th Century

Description

A fine example of 19th-century British precision instrumentation, this walnut-cased alidade compass was crafted by Thomas Jones of Liverpool, a respected maker of scientific and surveying instruments. The piece reflects the essential role such tools played in navigation, surveying, and cartography during Britain’s age of industrial and exploratory expansion. The silvered degree ring and original paper label provided clarity in measurement, while the walnut housing protected the instrument during field use.

Features

- Walnut case designed for durability and protection

- Silvered degree ring for precise directional readings

- Original paper label with instrument markings

- Compact portable design for field surveying

- Produced by Thomas Jones of Liverpool, noted instrument maker

Cultural Significance

Known as a turning board, the alidade compass was indispensable to explorers, geographers, and military engineers of the 19th century. It enabled accurate horizontal angle measurements essential for mapmaking and land surveying. Instruments produced by Thomas Jones were respected for their reliability and craftsmanship, contributing to the broader development of scientific exploration and industrial surveying across the British Empire.

Condition

Well-preserved with original silvered ring and paper label intact. Surface wear and patina consistent with age enhance its historical authenticity.

Dimensions (Approximate)

Height: 6.1 in
Width: 6.1 in

Age (Approximate)

150–175 years old

Provenance 

Offered by Waddington’s Auctioneers & Appraisers, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in its Militaria Online Auction on March 14, 2013, as Lot 103. The piece subsequently entered a prominent private collection in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Learn More

Study the use of early surveying instruments in the Surveyor’s Compass Collection at the Shaker Museum

Browse our Collection of Maritime and Scientific Relics

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