Compass

Object/Artifact

Historic Germantown

Name/Title

Compass

Entry/Object ID

1993.2.43

Description

Iron compass with two pointed legs (fixed). Used for marking leather as a guide for decorating leather with a crease tool. Mark: "C.S OSBOURNE & CO" From "The dictionary of Leather-Working Tools c. 1700-1950" by R.A. Salaman, p. 247: "Ordinary steel compasses, about 7 in. (17.7 cm) long, used for marking the width of straps, position of stitching, crew hole, etc., particularly on bridle work. Three or four pairs of compasses can be pre-set to hasten the work."

Made/Created

Artist

C.S. Osbourne & Co.

Date made

1850 - 1950

Place

* Untyped Place

USA

Dimensions

Height

6-7/8 in

Width

5/8 in

Depth

3/8 in

Material

Iron

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

McClay, Albert and John

Provenance

Notes

Object owned and used by John McClay, circa 1854 and his son, Albert McClay, circa 1908-1977. Object donated, in 1993, by Wayne Cunningham, son-in-law to Albert McClay.