A rare and early compass binnacle by John Syeds. Circa 1800.
A ships compass binnacle constucted from English Oak with copper illumination lantern. there is a drop down door for viewing the compass and a side hinged door to remove the compass box.
The binnacle contains a drycard compass made by John Syeds, The compass card also has a hand written note on the underside and is signed by By Syeds - it reads: with a repaired compafs delivered at His Majestys Deptford Dock yard 22 of July 1814 by Syeds and Davis.
The paper compass card is marked: Made by John Syeds. by Eaft Lane-stairs, Rotherhithe Wall. And all Other Inftruments Ufefull at Sea. ( note the early spelling using the letter 'f' instead of 's' )
The Directory of British Instrument Makers 1550 - 1851 by Gloria Clifton, lists John Syeds working from 1788 to 1811, in 1812 the company became Syeds & Davis and continued until 1834 when the company was taken over by Abraham Syeds.