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September, 2019 The Antique Shoppe Page 3
COMPASSES Vintage, WWII Liberty Ship Collectors of mariner compasses Rare, Lufft weather station with com-
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 compass manufactured by Lionel must learn several new words pass, circa 1960s, which is valued
Corporation of New York.
at $350.
This compass weighs 200 pounds that are only associated with
Dry compasses use a and is valued at $4,000. such compasses, such as Along with physical
magnetized rhumbs, gimbal, and binnacle. compasses, collectors also
needle or There are many different, seek words of wisdom
dial inside a specialized compasses that are reflected in a compass
capsule that remarkable and found in good image or use. One of my
is completely compass collections. Some of favorites is this one from
filled with a liquid (lamp face appear faded. these compasses include Henry David Thoreau,
oil, mineral oil, white Mariners’ a thumb compass “Go confidently in
spirits, purified kerosene compasses (often used for the direction of your
and ethyl alcohol are are eagerly orienteering), dreams. Live the life
common liquids that are sought by some a Qibla you’ve imagined.”
used). The liquid inside a collectors; compass
dry compass serves to limit although, they (used by
the oscillation movement are bulky and Muslims
and increase stability. Some somewhat to show the
liquid-filled compasses are difficult to direction to
“non-compressible under describe to Mecca for prayers),
pressure,” meaning they non-collectors. optical or prismatic
can work accurately underwater to Mariners’ compasses compasses (often Mickey Mouse
“Camp Pin-e-ha-he”
several depths. typically have used by surveyors), limited edition compass
Orienteering compasses have two or more magnets and trough from 2007 that is
a transparent base plate and are permanently attached compasses (centuries- valued at $60.
used for taking directional bearings to the compass card. A old surveying compasses). Finally, in collecting, as in life, it
directly from a map. lubber line, which is is best to let your compass be your
Many collectors search for a US usually a marking on the guide!
M-1950 military compass, which compass bowl, indicates
does not use a liquid-filled capsule. the ship’s heading Japanese “Turtle” compass,
circa 1950s, which is fun to
The M-1950 uses electromagnetic on the compass card. look at and highly collectible.
induction to control oscillation of
its magnetized card. Caution should
be used when purchasing a M-1950
or other military compass since Visit Historic Downtown MADDY'S ANTIQUES
many of the compasses contain the
radioactive mineral tritium. For ARCADIA 121 W. Oak St.
instance, the M-1950, equipped with 863-494-2500
self-luminous lighting, contains 120
mCi (millicuries) of tritium. Voted Best Antiquing Town in Florida Specializing in:
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OAK STREET POLK AVE DESOTO AVE
! ANTIQUE ASSOCIATION
MONROE ST
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US Army, Vietnam-era, M-1950 field compass. MEMBERS
In good condition, these compasses
sell for about $40. Antique Association of Arcadia Bizarre Bazaar - 863-456-5608
Collectors erroneously believe www.ArcadiaFLAntiques.com Corey’s Antiques - 863-494-5959
some M-1950 compasses are Maddy’s Antiques - 863-494-2500
broken because they no longer Yellow Brick Road - 863-993-3000
provide illumination. This is not
true. Tritium has a half-life of about MONTHLY ANTIQUE FAIR
12 years, which means a M-1950
compass that contained 120 mCi 4TH SATURDAY 8am-3pm
when new, only contains 60 mCi
when it is 12 years old, and only 30 SEP 28
mCi when it is 24 years old. Since
an original M-1950 (the model OCT 26 • NOV 23
number indicates it was produced in
1950) is now 69 years old, it should Booth Info 863-993-5105
contain less than 3.75 mCi, which
may not be enough to provide any
illumination, making the compass
