J. Halden & Co. compass box, England, ca. 1910.

Compass box J. HALDEN & Co. England, ca. 1910.
Metal and bone instruments.
Wooden box with brass gusset on top.
The inner lining of the box is damaged.
Exhibits wear consistent with age and use. With some flaws.
The key is preserved.
Measurements: 4,5 x 20 x 15,5 cm.

J. Halden & Co. box made up of different types of compasses, complements and metal nibs. Complete with bone rulers. Established in Manchester and London, the J. Halden and Company Limited (from 1878 to 1969) specialized from its beginnings in the manufacture of mathematical and scientific instruments.

The extensive history of the compass begins in Ancient Greece, when this utensil was used as a key element of geometrical and mathematical demonstrations. Until that time, earlier cultures such as the Egyptians had relied on taut strings to draw circles. Subsequently, other cultures used this valuable instrument as a source of creation, from the Romans to the Renaissance era. However, the real heyday of the compass came in the 17th century, when the first workshops dedicated to the manufacture of scientific and precision instruments appeared, producing compasses that were even artistically decorated. The development of navigation and the introduction of technical drawing in many academic training courses led to the increasing importance of this instrument, which became an indispensable element in the daily life of these professionals. At the same time, advances in precision mechanics in the 18th and 19th centuries led to the emergence of companies specializing in the manufacture of compasses, which became increasingly industrialized.