Uniquely large Dry-Card compass

Unique and notably large Dry-Card Compass from the first half of the nineteenth century. This sizeable dry card gimbaled compass features a compass rose measuring an impressive 12 inches in diameter, housed within its pine box with a handsome brass bowl. The dry card bears the name of Bliss and Creighton, concealing the original maker's mark, adding to its mysterious allure. A clue to the compass's original signature can be found on the compass card at the base of the North cardinal point. It's signed W. Hooker Sc. The Sc stands for Sculpit, the Latin word meaning "he engraved it." William Hooker was an accomplished engraver and cartographer and worked from 1803 to 1846. His father-in-law was the highly respected Edmond Blunt. When he retired, his store was taken over by William Hooker and then by his sons, Edmond and George W. Blunt. Above the Bliss and Creighton name can be seen the top of the letters for the Blunt family of E & G W Blunt. With that information, it can be assumed that the compass was originally sold by Edmond and George W. Blunt.