This Sipe-Sumner compass was the second one produced by Warren Knight and was given to Bruce Sumner (the first, SN 17841 was given to F. Henry Sipe). Given the lack of wear it may lived on a shelf and never seen any field work. Includes the wooden box, leather case, ball socket, extra vanes and also a copy of "A Layman's Guide to Land Surveying." $500, including shipping.
Brian
What a beautiful thing!
N
Do you have any documentation on the history?
Unfortunately I don’t, beyond what the serial number tells me. In “Compass Land Surveying” F. Henry Sipe mentions that Warren Knight gave him the first Sipe-Sumner Pattern compass they produced with the second one going to Bruce Sumner. He also mentions the serial number of the compass he received (18741) and this is the next serial number in sequence. But that’s literally all I’ve got!
Brian
That is a beautiful instrument and indeed appears to be factory fresh. The box looks a more worn that I would expect. Too rich for my blood, but would certainly admire it if I ever saw it in person.
I see the 1982 date on the manual and that is much later than I would have expected. When were those instruments actually produced?
No matter the answers - THANK YOU for sharing and good luck with sale!
[The box looks a more worn that I would expect.]
I’ve seen several of these compasses and, without exception, the foam lining inside the box was gone. I don’t know what W-K was using, but it didn’t last.
[I see the 1982 date on the manual and that is much later than I would have expected. When were those instruments actually produced?]
Good eye - the manual is definitely “newer” than the compass. I had to do some research and found the answer in an old post on this site - Warren-Knight first offered the Sipe-Sumner Pattern compass in August, 1971. They still sell them, but at a $2,500 price tag I doubt they’re a big seller any more!
Ahhh, upon closer inspection, I see that what I took for water stains or other goo on the box is more likely remains of long-gone foam padding.
Thanks for the additional info and glad to hear that it sold so quickly.
Although I stepped into surveying at the end of the old transit & chain era and beginning of the EDM era (1978), and have never done a compass survey, I have some attraction to these old instruments. That's a beauty!
SOLD!
