A 10 ½ inch ebony radius vernier octant by Crichton of London for A. Dobbie of Glasgow, circa 1850.

Maker’s plate marked: CRIHTON [sic].

Ivory scale divided into 100º

Stepped keystone case: W: 31 cm. D: 36 cm. H: 10 cm.

UK Ivory registration reference: QBKKPQK9.

Price includes UK delivery.

John Crichton of London, maker of scientific, optical & nautical instrument maker. Instrument maker to the Honourable East India Company and Trinity House.

Apprenticed in 1820 to Benjamin Messer of The Minories, London.

Listed as trading in 1831 at 32 Fore Street, Limehouse, London. From 1834 to 1865 at 112 Leadenhall Street, London.

Exhibited at the 1851 Great Exhibition where he was awarded a prize medal for sextants and drawing instruments.

The firm continued to trade after 1864 as John Crichton & Son.