Description

A handsome Victorian pocket / explorer compass with a cross bar needle pivoting on a jewelled bearing above a traditional dial.
Complete in it's brass case and lid and incorporates a transit lock activated when the lid is in place, the compass is protected with an undamaged crystal cover.
Signed with a London trademark and the famous Indian retailer, P. Orr & Sons, Madras.
Excellent condition measuring 2 3/4" x 3/4" and dating to c.1880.
India in early 19th century was seen as the land of opportunity. Among the many entrepreneurs who applied to the East India Company for a license to trade here were two brothers from Scotland … Peter Orr born in 1803, and Alexander Orr born in 1804. Peter was a watch and chronometer maker, while Alexander was a lawyer in Edinburgh. The brothers arrived in Madras in Feb 1843.
They went into immediate partnership with Gordon and Co., in Broadway. The Gordons were also a Scottish family and it is possible that there were connections back in Scotland. The Gordons had been trading in Madras since 1792, (thus creating a tradition of watch making which has now lasted for more than 200 years!). When Mr.Gordon retired the partnership was dissolved. The business now carried on under Peter’s name.
In 1849 the firm P.Orr and Co., was born and was located on a new site at 6-8, Mount Road, now Anna Salai.
Item ID: 40499
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Dimensions

Height = 1 cm (1")
Width = 6 cm (3")
Depth = 6 cm (3")