Photo by David Friend Productions, San Diego, California
EXCEPTIONAL 18TH CENTURY DRAWING INSTRUMENT SET BY THOMAS HEATH
S08-029. English, 2nd quarter 18th century, signed "Tho: Heath Fecit" on two of the instruments. The black fishskin covered red plush-lined wood case is 10 1/4" x 4 1/4" x 2", with decorative brass lock escutcheon plate and 2 hand cut closure hooks. The set is complete and consists of 13 separate matching brass & steel items: 9" long large dividers with interchangeable pen and pencil legs, 6" long smaller dividers, small pen compass, 9" long double ended ruling pen with a pricker in its handle, small steel inking pen, adjusting tool, and signed protractor all in the top tray under the lid, 9" long x 2 3/8" wide brass sector, 9" long brass scissors folding parallel rule, signed proportional dividers, and steel clamp all in the bottom of the case. The instruments and their case are all in very good to fine overall condition. This exceptional set, by one of England's most famous 18th century makers, is one of the very finest complete early drawing instrument sets to be seen on the market for many years.
