Kelvin & Hughes Marine Compass in Excellent Condition. England, 1950s

Kelvin & Hughes Marine Compass in Excellent Condition. England, 1950s

Beautiful marine compass manufactured in England in the 1950s, very well-preserved and in perfect working order. The compass is made of gilt brass and is housed in its original tropical wood case, to which it is securely fastened to ensure reliable operation. The dial is also in very good condition, as is the glass covering it. This compass is a highly decorative piece, perfect for display in a living room or office, or in a display case alongside maritime and nautical antiques.

The dial is stamped with the name and logo of the manufacturer, KELVIN & HUGHES, and the country of origin, ENGLAND. This company was founded over 250 years ago and continues to thrive today as one of the most prestigious firms in the field of navigation instrument and radar system manufacturing. The company emerged from the 1947 merger of two major manufacturers: Kelvin Bottomley & Baird Ltd and Henry Hughes & Son Ltd. The first firm originated from the professional relationship between William Thompson (Lord Kevin) and James White, while the second grew out of the Hughes family, a London-based watchmaking business whose operations later evolved into the production of sextants and marine chronometers for ships entering the River Thames.

The beautiful compass shown in the photos is housed inside an equally beautiful solid wood case. The wood is tropical, a common choice for marine items, as these types of wood withstand exposure to seawater, the elements, and temperature changes well. The case features a beautiful reddish-gold hue and an intense, irregular dark grain. It has gilded brass reinforcements at the corners, which add strength and enhance its appeal. The inside of the lid is lined with red velvet, original to the period.

Elegant and timeless, this antique compass is an ideal piece for any lover of nautical antiques.

Dimensions: Width: 18 cm. Depth: 18 cm.