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Lot 31

A Davis Backstaff
American, mid-18th century
22 x 12-1/2 in. (55.8 x 31.7 cm.)

5 June 2013, 13:00 EDT
New York

Sold for US$3,125 inc. premium

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A Davis Backstaff
American, mid-18th century

[unsigned] of lignum vitae and boxwood, the large arc divided 0°-25° and on the higher lattice scale between 65°-90°, the smaller arc 0°-60°, the frame with some decoration on the large arc.
22 x 12-1/2 in. (55.8 x 31.7 cm.)

Footnotes

This instrument was a great improvement on the cross staff and the astrolabe. It allowed navigators to calculate latitude without longitude.

Additional information