RESTORED CROSSTAFF SEGMENT |
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$20000 / ≈ €17099
This item is available for immediate sale
20000.00
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Description
The rest of the staff, with continuations of the existing scales, was lost at some time.
All the scales are hand divided; the numerals, letters, and decorative stars are all punched. The graduations are in degrees of altitude, and with corresponding reversed scales of zenith distance.
Condition is very fine, noting some small chips. This segment has now been extended to the correct length of 29-1/2” (750 mm), using a plain ungraduated shaft of black Gaboon ebony.
The replacement vanes are made of pearwood (and bone) with brass fittings — with overall lengths of 3-1/2”, 6-3/4”, 13-3/8”, and 20” (4” for the cross wise bone). These lengths are determined by the scale construction on the staff, and are seen to fall very close to the “desired” ratio of 1:2:4:6:9 (9 being the staff length).
The vanes are correct aesthetically as well as technically, made to the specifications of Willem Morzer Bruyns, author of The Cross Staff. Their design is based in detail on one existing set of original van Keulen vanes, but adjusted for the exact scale lengths of the present instrument (and thus subtending the correct angles when in use).
Also copied are the rare removable brass aperture disk (sometimes called a “Dutch shoe”), and the fourth (the shortest) vane termed the “horizon vane,” itself fitted with a bone vane. These devices permitted “backward” observations with the cross-staff, thus saving the navigator’s eyes (see Morzer Bruyns).
The vanes are accurate in all details, down to the butterfly-shaped thumbscrews, the hand-cut threads, the tapered dovetailed brass fittings, the pressure plates, the construction of each vane from a single piece of pearwood, etc.
Morzer Bruyns’ 1994 crosstaff inventory shows only 95 known worldwide, with very few in private hands. The present example would seem to be very close to inventory #66, which is similarly constructed, signed, and decorated (using three stars before and after the initials and the date), and which is dated 1758.
The maker of the present instrument was the famous firm of Johannes van Keulen of Amsterdam, important maker of cross-staffs and official supplier to the VOC, the Dutch East India Company.
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Color Key
We offer many maps in their original black and white condition. We do not systematically color-up maps to make them more sellable to the general public or buyer.
Copper engraved or wood block maps are always hand colored. Maps were initially colored for aesthetic reasons and to improve readability. Nowadays, it is becoming a challenge to find maps in their original colors and are therefor more valuable.
We use the following color keys in our catalog:
Original colors; mean that the colors have been applied around the time the map was issued.
Original o/l colors; means the map has only the borders colored at the time of publication.
Colored; If the colors are applied recently or at the end of the 20th century.
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In accordance with the EU Consumer Rights Directive and habitually reside in the European Union you have the right to cancel the contract for the purchase of a lot, without giving any reason.
The cancellation period will expire 14 calendar days from the day after the date on which you or a third party (other than the carrier and indicated by you) acquires, physical possession of the lot. To exercise the right to cancel you must inform Paulus Swaen Europe bv, which is offering to sell the lot either as an agent for the seller or as the owner of the lot, of your decision to cancel this contract by a clear statement (e.g. a letter sent by post, or e-mail (amsterdam@swaen.com).
To meet the cancellation deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right to cancel before the cancellation period has expired.
