Western Europe, France, ca. late 19th century; United States, California, San Diego, ca. 1906 CE. A brass navigational instrument known as a reflecting circle from the ketch sailboat - the "Anemone" - with a large poster on cardboard depicting the boat itself! The reflecting circle consists of a wheel shaped brass frame with a scale, swiveling wooden handle, a small magnifying lens for reading the divisions, and colored glass shades for the large mirror. The instrument is contained within the original wood case with the labels on the interior of the lid: "A. BERTHELEMY LORIEUX P. PONTHUS ETABLISSEMENTS ALBERT LEPETIT." Like a sextant, reflecting circles were used for calculating longitude between celestial bodies. The photograph was taken by Herbert R. Fitch (1868 to 1968) in San Diego's San Pedro Bay and reprinted on a large posterboard. The "Anemone" was a ketch owned by Charles L. Tutt, a prominent Colorado businessman. The ship was built in England then brought to New York where on December 14th, 1905 it sailed to California and made the trip in 144 days arriving on May 9th 1906, in time to participate in the Transpacific Race. This race, also known as the Transpac, took place on June 11th, 1906 from San Diego's San Pedro Bay to Diamond Head in Honolulu, Hawaii. The Anemone placed second in this race, perhaps with the navigational help of the reflecting circle. Size poster: 23.75" L x 20" W (60.3 cm x 50.8 cm); reflecting circle: Size: 10.25" Diameter (26 cm); case: 12.25"" L x 12.25" W x 4.75" H (31.1 cm x 31.1 cm x 12.1 cm)

Provenance: private Glorieta, New Mexico, USA collection

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#163239

Staining and discoloration to the poster. Small tears and creases to peripheries. Reflecting Circle missing several lenses. Bending of some metal components. Has not been tested for functionality. Wooden case has stable cracks and chips. Original label attached to lid.