Antique Whaleboat Compass by Walter Folger Jr., Nantucket

An important antique whaleboat compass made by Walter Folger Jr. (1765-1849) of Nantucket. Dry card paper dial compass is suspended in painted box. Folger was was a self taught mathematician, scientist, astronomer, lawyer, inventor, clockmaker, and Congressman. He served in Congress 1817-1821. Additionally he was part owner of the tragic whaleship Essex. It is likely that survivors of that whaleship used a boat compass made by Folger. Working condition with original surface. Box measures 10" x 10" x 6-3/4".