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A Mahogany Two Day Marine Chronometer, No 469, English, Eiffe,…
Sale Title:
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Melbourne
Date:
27-Oct-2009
Lot No.
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Description:
A Mahogany Two Day Marine Chronometer, No 469, English, Eiffe, London, 48 Lombard Street City And South Crescent, Bedford Square, Circa 1845 9 cm silvered dial, fusee movement with Harrison's maintaining power, Earnshaw style spring detent escapement with compensating balance and helical spring, set into the potence plate in the manner of Arnold, subsidiary seconds and up/down dials, the brass bowl in a mahogany brass bound three tiered case, swing handles, ivory plaque, signed movement width 16 cm, depth 17.5 cm. Provenance: Sotheby's Decorative Arts Auction, Melbourne, 24th July, 1989, Lot 134 Catalogue Note Accompanying additional information Sotheby's Australian Newsletter Number Two - August 1989 reporting on the auction in which the chronometer appeared. The chronometer was consigned to Sotheby's by Mr J. Kingston Stuart. A handwritten note on a transfer share certificate form from Mr Kingston Stuart states:- 'This refers to a small company formed to find Lassiter's Reef - no luck of course - anyway I bought the chronometer which was used by Charles Ulm who went with the expedition as navigator, the same man who was Kingsford Smith's companion on all his epoch making air route pioneering - I don't know if this was used on any of Smithy's air voyages. I also had Ulm's sextant but he called for the sextant back and of course I returned it'. Mr Trevor Willey purchased the chronometer at the 24th July, 1989 auction. A letter from Mr. Nigel Willey, Mr Trevor Willey's son is also provided. The letter states:- 'Provenance for Charles Ulm Eiffe Chronometer This chronometer was purchased by my father Trevor Willey from Sotheby's auction in July 14th 1989 in the belief it was as stated. My father was a very experienced and knowledgable collector with a great appreciation for antiques and fine art especially unusual pieces. He was well known and respected throughout the antique trade and by fellow collectors. He did not buy without being certain about his aquisitions (sic). He researched the Ulm chronometer contacting the person who consigned the chronometer to Sotheby's Mr J Kingston Stuart, from whom further proof was obtained regarding his ownership and dealings with Charles Ulm. This correspondence and contact convinced by father to be 100% certain it was Charles Ulms chronometer. See handwritten note from Kingston concerning the chronometer and a sextant, written on a nonrelated share certificate, substantiating the provenance Signed Nigel D.Willey, 22.8.09'
Estimate:
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Price:
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Category:
Unclassified