Antique William Elliott Drum Sextant. England, 1833-49

Fascinating antique drum sextant in excellent condition and working order. This sextant comes from England and is signed Ellliott, a name corresponding to the optical and mathematical instrument maker William Ellliott. It is dated in the 19th century, between 1833 and 1849. This navigational instrument is a complete and fully original piece - it comes in its original case. This is a miniature sextant, similar to bigger models but lighter and easier to carry. The sextant comes with a viewing pipe, a magnifying lens for the scale and several filters. It also mounts an inner mirror, as we can see in the images. This instruments delicate quality can be appreciated in its complex and tiny component parts, made with full detail. At the top of the sextant there is a hand-engraved inscription with the manufacturers name and address: Ellliott 268 High Holborn London, address where it is known that he had the factory from 1833 to 1849. The circular base acts as a lid too: before storing the sextant into its case, it has to be put over the item so it protects the delicate pieces. The originality and beauty of this antique Elliot box sextant makes it worthy of a special place in a good collection of marine antiques. Measurements: Width: 5.5 in / 14 cm. Depth: 3.1 in / 8 cm.William Ellliott History William Ellliott was born in London in 1780-81 and by 1795 he was already working as an apprentice in William Backwells worshop, a compass and drawing instrument maker. It is believed that William established his first business in 1804 under his own name, William Ellliott. It was the beginning of the Elliott Brothers companys history, a history of corporate and commercial success. Ellliott made drawing instruments and mathematical scales, many of which have survived to our days. He defined himself as a mathematical, optical and philosophical instrument maker. He had two sons in his third marriage, Frederick Henry and Charles Alfred, who entered the business too the company changed its name to William Ellliott & Sons. After Williams death in 1853 the business passed to his sons, who made it grow and increased its prestige. Soon the company was producing every kind of optical, surveying, navigational and philosophical instruments for home and overseas customers. In 1854 the company was already known as Ellliott Bros; soon they started manufacturing electric instruments and devices. In the 1870s both brothers died and the company passed to Susan, Fredericks widow. It kept on being a family business until 1967, when it was acquired by the English Electric after a period of economic hardship.