the production of cameras ended but the company continued for some time to sell Ross optical devices such as binoculars or enlarging lenses. The elegant blued steel needle is impressed 'N' & 'S' in gold lettering & sits over a clean paper compass dial incorporating 16 cardinal & intercardinal points with a fleur de lys for North.

The attractive paper dial is in exceptional condition with no staining as is often found in other compasses of the period, and is set under a jewelled steel needle measuring 6.5" in length, the glass crystal is also original and in excellent condition. This large Victorian mahogany cased desk top compass measures 6¼" (160mm) dial diameter, the case being 7¼" (185mm) square by (28mm) depth, and made during the last quarter of the 19th century in London, for use as an educational aid in schools. Zeiss built a factory in London, mainly to produce binoculars; some camera lenses also were produced.This particular model is the M88 which is made from a lightweight yet robust aluminium alloy, and has 5 active self luminous tritium lights enabling full night and day operation. William Simms inherited his fathers jewellery business in the early 1800s which was soon converted to the manufacture of scientific instruments. Listed Exhibitor - British Industries Fair. Manufacturers of Cinematograph Projectors, Arc Lamps, Epidiascopes, Photographic Lenses, Binoculars, Telescopes, Scientific and Optical Instruments including Autocollimating Goniometer and Optical Benches and Special Optical Systems. (Olympia, Ground Floor, Stand No. D.1692) [4] Not much information is available on the early history of the company in London, but its reputation as makers of high quality scientific instruments was well known. Records show that L & M opened its first Indian office in Calcutta in the year 1877 and rapidly became India's leading opticians with a prestigious client list that included Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Neru.

This impressive brass surveying compass has two foldable sight vanes set above a silvered dial with 8 cardinal and intercardinal points surrounded by a full 360 degree stepped scale, and a steel needle that pivots on a brass bearing. Although there are no makers marks, the design is that of a MK VII which was the last of the hunter cased models first developed in WW1 for the Britiash Army and it dates from the period between the two world wars. A precision item made to the highest quailty standard, it's in very good condition and comes with its original case which is also in good sound condition.This M88 is a dual use model, calibrated in both mils & degrees, and the padded pouch has a clip for belt attachment. It has the original owners details hand scribed on the compass body, and reads 'J GARNER LT 7 no SHER FOR'. This refers to a Lieutenant J Garner of the 7th (Robin Hood) Battalion Sherwood Foresters, who served from 1914 - 1920 and was awarded the British war medal & Victory medal. The kit comprises of a 1/2 oz bottle of liquid (empty), disc spanner, sighting wire, chamois leather & instruction sheet, the spare interchangeable pivot being the only item missing. Wood cased compasses are for the most part unsigned, but this travellers compass in a mahogany case, has a makers name which although partially obscured, reads ‘Wm SIMMS’ at the very north point of the dial ( see photo). Renamed Ross-Ensign Ltd; it produced classic 50s roll film cameras, like the Selfix andAutorange, which are still popular today with many collectors.

Complimented by the small hand made brass hinges and fastened with a 7 shaped brass clasp, the paper compass rose is divided into four 90 degree quadrants showing all the points of the compass with a fleur de lys for North, and is in very good condition for a 200 year old compass. The double broad arrow also shows it was later officially decommissioned for sale into the civilian market. A quality antique instrument measuring 75mm in diameter it comes in a leather case which is also in good condition with some repairs to the straps. The case has the number 254 imprinted along with some lettering, possibly of a previous owner but difficult to read. A precision item made to the highest quailty standard, it's in very good condition and comes with its original leather case which is also in excellent condition. It goes without saying that this is a genuine Stanley instrument, and not one of the many reproductions which regrettably are still catching out many unsuspecting buyers. It comes with the original leather case also numbered 419, which carries the War Department arrow showing that it was military issue.This is a late 19th century surveying compass signed 'T. COOKE & SONS LTD. LONDON, YORK & CAPETOWN' In 1833 he served as Master of the Spectacle Makers’ Guild and a s well as writing and publishing a number of instructional handbooks, he was also Optician in Ordinary to King George IV and Queen Victoria and operated out of 21 Poultry Lane until his death in 1847. After his death in 1956, his widow presented the compass to Lt. Col. Edwin Harold Bowen in 1963 ( see photo for paperwork). Bowen had served as a Major and Captain (Deputy Commissaries) in the Corp of Royal Pakistani Army during World War II, he was awarded an OBE in 1954 before retiring with an honorary rank of Lt Colonel in 1955. A genuine antique compass with a traditional design, it comes with a modern velvet drawstring pouch for added protection. Measuring 3" (75mm) square, a very collectable compass that is well over 200 years old and signed by a renowned maker with Royal accreditation. Price

Lawrence and Mayo, traces its roots to two London based Jewish families, who set up operations all over the world including London, Cairo, Spain, Portugal, Indian subcontinent, Colombo, Rangoon and Singapore. Not much information is available on the early history of the company, but its reputation as a chain of High grade Opticians and makers of best quality Survey, Scientific and Meteorological Instruments was well known. Records show that L&M opened its first Indian office and showroom in Calcutta in the year 1877.This type of instrument was often used by civil engineers and also artillery regiments in the British army for range and trajectory calculations to target heavy guns.