Sextant Collection

Observatory at Delhi
Observatory complex at Delhi

Training Ship HMS Conway - Working with the Sextant
The naval training ship HMS Conway was established in 1859 and for many years was moored on the River Mersey near Liverpool. Here, some of the ships boys are seen using a sextant. Date: 1898

The Greely Arctic Expedition at its farthest point North, 18
Engraving showing members of the American Meteorological Expedition of 1881-4 taking their position, with a sextant, at the farthest point North they reached. Led by Lt

Hydra Star Map
Hydra constellation, including an owl, a raven and a sextant

Hydra constellations, 1829 C016 / 4412
Hydra constellations. 19th-century map of stars and constellations from the celestial atlas Sozviezdiia Predstavlennyia na XXX Tablitsakh (1829) by Kornelius Reissig

A Hansen, first officer on the Knivsberg, 1898. Creator: Christian Wilhelm Allers
A Hansen, first officer on the Knivsberg, 1898. Portrait of a German crew member using compasses and parallel rulers to plot the course of the SS Knivsberg through the South China Sea

NAVIGATION, 1871. A navigator using a sextant to measure the angular distance of the moon from a star. Wood engraving, American, 1871

A Sextant, 1912
Illustration of a typical sextant, c.1912. Sextants are used by mariners and explorers to determine their position, by measuring the angle between the horizon and the sun. Date: 1912

The Peking Observatory, illustration from Jean Baptiste du Haldes
472240 The Peking Observatory, illustration from Jean Baptiste du Haldes Description geographique, historique, chronologique, politique

Little Wooden Midshipman shop sign, c. 1750 (wood)
3071350 Little Wooden Midshipman shop sign, c.1750 (wood) by English School, (18th century); 85.5x35x29 cm; Charles Dickens Museum, London

Midshipman, 1799. The young man is carrying a sextant which was used for making astronomical observations for navigating. Print by Thomas Rowlandson (1756-1827). Aquatint

18th century Russian orthodox icon of the Archangel Michael. Tretyakov Gallery. Moscow. Russia
5306110 18th century Russian orthodox icon of the Archangel Michael. Tretyakov Gallery. Moscow. Russia; Universal History Archive/UIG.

A standard 19th century French navigational Sextant
5309960 A standard 19th century French navigational Sextant; (add.info.: Drawing of a standard 19th century French navigational Sextant. 1888.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Navigation, 1520 (engraving)
2526597 Navigation, 1520 (engraving) by Straet, Jan van der (Joannes Stradanus) (1523-1605); (add.info.: Transport. Marine. Navigation with the help of a sextant)

He made me observe the several methods used by farmers in managing their lands. From Gulliver's voyage to Laputa
2963125 He made me observe the several methods used by farmers in managing their lands. From Gulliver's voyage to Laputa

English mariner with sextant on a beach in front of a lighthouse and tall ship
FLO4577568 English mariner with sextant on a beach in front of a lighthouse and tall ship. Handcoloured woodcut engraving from The Book of English Trades and Library of the Useful Arts.; (add.info)

Double-framed sextant, which belonged to Robert Fitzroy (1805-1865), c.1831
MMM5476385 Double-framed sextant, which belonged to Robert Fitzroy (1805-1865), c.1831; National Maritime Museum, London, UK; (add.info.: Double-framed sextant)

Handkerchief printed with Britannia mourning the portrait of Horatio Nelson
MMM5475561 Handkerchief printed with Britannia mourning the portrait of Horatio Nelson; National Maritime Museum, London, UK; (add.info.: Handkerchief printed with Britannia)

Navigation instrument: man using a sextant to measure his position. First 20th century
NWI4953877 Navigation instrument: man using a sextant to measure his position. First 20th century. Colouring reproduction (Halftone) of a photograph.; (add.info.: Navigation instrument)

Astronomers taking note of several observations using astronomical bezel and sextant in the chamber of the Greenwich
NWI4953292 Astronomers taking note of several observations using astronomical bezel and sextant in the chamber of the Greenwich Observatory, England

A standard 19th century French navigational Sextant
5309959 A standard 19th century French navigational Sextant; (add.info.: Drawing of a standard 19th century French navigational Sextant. 1874.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Royal Geographical Society Prize Medal, 1835, awarded to Captain George Back (1796-1878), 1835 (silver)
MMM5477684 Royal Geographical Society Prize Medal, 1835, awarded to Captain George Back (1796-1878), 1835 (silver) by Wyon, William (1795-1851); National Maritime Museum, London

Portrait of John Hanning Speke, c.1863 (b/w photo)
MMM5477340 Portrait of John Hanning Speke, c.1863 (b/w photo); National Maritime Museum, London, UK; (add.info.: Portrait of John Hanning Speke (1827-1864) on his left, a sextant on his foot

Life at sea, description of leisure moments on board boats, under the supervision of a naval officer: sailors shave
MMM5460188 Life at sea, description of leisure moments on board boats, under the supervision of a naval officer: sailors shave, draw, read (or study), play music (flute)

Nautical instrument: Hadley type sextant, 18th century (object)
DEX5040797 Nautical instrument: Hadley type sextant, 18th century (object); Istituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza, Florence, Italy; (add.info.: Nautical instrument: Hadley type sextant)

Clock in marble and ormolu, made by Vulliamy, with the Young Geographers boys holding compasset and sextant
FLO4689239 Clock in marble and ormolu, made by Vulliamy, with the Young Geographers boys holding compasset and sextant. Medallion of the Three Graces. Chromolithograph by W

Astronomer in his observatory, 1673 (engraving)
2526583 Astronomer in his observatory, 1673 (engraving) by Hevelius, Johannes (1611-87); (add.info.: Science. Astronomy. Astronomer in his observatory, XVIIth cent)

Spanish miltary marine. Navigation Manual and dictionary 'Tratado instructivo y practico de maniobras navales'
CUL4856771 Spanish miltary marine. Navigation Manual and dictionary 'Tratado instructivo y practico de maniobras navales', 1766 (engraving); Biblioteca Nacional, Madrid

Astronomer in his observatory, 1673 (engraving)
2526582 Astronomer in his observatory, 1673 (engraving) by Hevelius, Johannes (1611-87); (add.info.: Science. Astronomy. Astronomer in his observatory, XVIIth cent)

Allegory of astronomy (low relief)
BEN5471568 Allegory of astronomy (low relief) by Pisano, Andrea (1270-1349); Museo dell'Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo), Florence, Tuscany, Italy; (add.info.: Allegory of astronomy)

English sailor with a sextant - English mariner with sextant on a beach in front of a lighthouse and tall ship
FLO4577854 English sailor with a sextant - English mariner with sextant on a beach in front of a lighthouse and tall ship

Sextant, c.1790 by Jesse Ramsden (1735-1800), England
MMM5476211 Sextant, c.1790 by Jesse Ramsden (1735-1800), England by Ramsden, Jesse (1735-1800); National Maritime Museum, London, UK; (add.info.: Sextant, c.1790 by Jesse Ramsden (1735-1800)

Sextant by Edward Troughton (1753-1825), c.1820 (copper and wood handle)
MMM5476609 Sextant by Edward Troughton (1753-1825), c.1820 (copper and wood handle); National Maritime Museum, London, UK; (add.info.: Sextant by Edward Troughton (1753-1825), ca

Triumphant Cupid among Emblems of Art and War, 17th century. Creators: Thomas Willeboirts, Paul de Vos
Triumphant Cupid among Emblems of Art and War, 17th century

The image shows some nautical instruments, among which, sextants and compasses, exhibited at Naples Aquarium. Naples Aquarium. Date of Photograph:1920 - 1930

George Augustus Elliott, Lord Heathfield, 1st. Baron Heathfield, Governor of Gibraltar, 1717-1790
3052966 George Augustus Elliott, Lord Heathfield, 1st. Baron Heathfield, Governor of Gibraltar, 1717-1790. With the keys of Gibraltar from the painting by Sir. Joshua Reynolds

Science and Islam: "description of the astronomical observatory of the Arab
LRI4661302 Science and Islam: " description of the astronomical observatory of the Arab scientist Taqi al-Din (Taqi al Din or Takiyuddin) (1526-1585) built under Murad III in Istanbul in 1577

Hydra and Sextant

Captain John Treasure Jones Archive - sextant
Captain Treasure Jones Archive - a Henry Hughes and Son Husun sextant that was the personal property of Captain Jones. The sextant was used and remained with him through his career

Il Leone di Caprera. Sailing schooner of 9 meters of length that crewed by three Italians wanted to cross the Atlantic Ocean with a sextant as the only guide

Boys trained in the fundamentals of navigation may become technicians... Los Angeles, Calif
Boys trained in the fundamentals of navigation may become technicians in the armed service, Los Angeles, Calif. Thomas Graham, a member of the Victory Corps at Polytechnic High School

Learning how to determine latitude by using a sextant... Polytechnic High School, LA, Calif. 1942
Learning how to determine latitude by using a sextant is Senta Osoling, student at Polytechnic High School, Los Angeles, Calif

Objects used by Louis XVI (1754-93) and the royal family during their imprisonment in the Temple (photo)
XIR245194 Objects used by Louis XVI (1754-93) and the royal family during their imprisonment in the Temple (photo) by French School, (18th century); Musee de la Ville de Paris, Musee Carnavalet

The Offing, 1935 (tempera on panel)
BAG26883 The Offing, 1935 (tempera on panel) by Wadsworth, Edward Alexander (1889-1949); 88.9x63.5 cm; Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, UK; © Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives; Purchased, 1952

Portrait of Barnaba Oriani, astronomer (1752 - 1832) by N. Carducci. 19th century painting
GIA4815848 Portrait of Barnaba Oriani, astronomer (1752 - 1832) by N. Carducci. 19th century painting. by Narducci, Pietro (1793-1880); Private Collection; (add.info.: Portrait of Barnaba Oriani)

Regalia, 1928 (oil on canvas)
BAL23990 Regalia, 1928 (oil on canvas) by Wadsworth, Edward Alexander (1889-1949); Mayor Gallery, London, UK

Le Vocabulaire Illustre: Sextant (engraving)
7197561 Le Vocabulaire Illustre: Sextant (engraving) by European School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sextant)

U: Urania
6523500 U: Urania by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: in " Alphabet in figures. J. Langlume and Peltier, publishers, Paris, s. d. (circa 1840)

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"Exploring the Arctic: The Greely Arctic Expedition at its farthest point North, 1884" In their quest for discovery and adventure, the members of the Greely Arctic Expedition pushed themselves to their limits. At a latitude of 81°29'N, they reached an unprecedented milestone in human exploration. With their trusty sextants in hand, these brave souls navigated through treacherous icy waters and unforgiving terrain. The Hydra Star Map guided them on their journey, revealing constellations that served as beacons in the vast expanse of the night sky. Created by Christian Wilhelm Allers, this intricate map was a testament to mankind's fascination with celestial navigation. A Hansen, first officer on the Knivsberg in 1898, relied heavily on his sextant during perilous voyages across uncharted seas. This essential tool allowed him to measure angles between heavenly bodies and determine his position with remarkable accuracy. Wood engravings from 1871 depict a navigator utilizing a sextant to calculate the angular distance between the moon and a star. This technique revolutionized maritime navigation by providing mariners with reliable means of determining longitude while out at sea. The Little Wooden Midshipman shop sign from c. 1750 proudly displayed a young sailor carrying a sextant—a symbol of skill and expertise required for making astronomical observations necessary for safe passage across oceans. Onboard Training Ship HMS Conway, future seafarers honed their skills using this indispensable instrument. Guided by experienced mentors, they learned how to align stars within Hydra constellations precisely—mastering both art and science simultaneously. Even Captain John Treasure Jones recognized its significance; his archive includes invaluable records documenting his reliance on this trusted companion throughout countless expeditions into uncharted territories. From ancient times until today, the sextant remains an enduring symbol of humanity's relentless pursuit of knowledge and exploration—the key that unlocks hidden secrets of the cosmos and guides us through uncharted waters.