Alexander Heath & Co. Cased 'Hessanith' Sextant with 1904 Certificate and 1915 'Book of the Sextant'
Alexander Heath & Co. Cased 'Hessanith' Sextant with 1904 Certificate and 1915 'Book of the Sextant'
6071
A handsome and highly collectable late 19th-century cased 'Hessanith' nautical sextant by the respected London instrument makers Alexander Heath & Co. Preserved with its fitted case and an accompanying certificate recording recertification in 1904, the sextant is offered together with a signed first edition of *The Book of the Sextant*, published in 1915.
An indispensable navigational instrument before the widespread adoption of electronic systems, the sextant allowed a mariner to determine position at sea by measuring the angle between a celestial body and the horizon. This example is a compelling survival from the great age of maritime navigation: a precision instrument made for practical use aboard ship, now equally appreciated for its mechanical ingenuity, finely engineered construction, and strong decorative presence.
The maker, Alexander Heath & Co. of London, was known for the production of high-quality nautical and scientific instruments. The original fitted case provides an attractive and appropriate setting for the sextant, while the 1904 recertification certificate adds an important documentary connection to its working life and speaks to the care with which such vital navigational equipment was maintained.
The accompanying signed 1915 first edition of *The Book of the Sextant* makes this an especially appealing and coherent group. Together, the instrument, its certification, and the period reference work offer a vivid insight into the skills, knowledge, and material culture of traditional seamanship.
A distinguished acquisition for collectors of maritime antiques, scientific instruments, naval history, or exploration-related objects. It would make a striking display in a library, study, yacht club, or collection of navigational equipment.
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