Balch Surveyor's Compass

The "THOS H. BALCH Maker State Street NEWBURYPORT" inscription on the paper card on this wooden compass refers to Thomas H. Balch (1771-1817). According to an advertisement in the Newburyport [Massachusetts] Herald for August 8, 1806, Balch's shop could be found under the Sign of the Mariner's Compass. Like many artisans, Balch did not make every part of every instrument that carried his name. From research in local records, Martha Fales found that a local cabinet maker named George Short made the boxes for Balch's nautical compasses. Ref: Martha G. Fales, "Makers of Mariners' Compasses in Newburyport," American Neptune 28 (1968): 144-145.

Natural History Museum