This large Victorian mahogany cased desktop compass measures 7¼" (187 mm) square,with a dial diameter of 6¼" (160 mm) and was made during the last quarter of the 19th century in London, for use as an educational aid in schools.

The Elementary Education Act of 1870 created elected school boards to build and run schools, and this compass was made for the London School Board by the maker W.W. Hooper, the attractive paper dial reads "SCHOOL BOARD FOR LONDON. W.W Hooper BOW, LONDON, E." The School boards were abolished in 1902 and replaced by Local Education Authorities.

North is a fleur-de-lis and there are no fewer than 32 Cardinal and inter cardinal points plus an outer scale with four 90 degree quadrants and the directional steel needle still has part of the letter N denoting North.

Weighing 560 grams and in good condition, it does have a wax repaired age crack in the wood and there is no transit lever, neither of which affect its performance.

Not only a very impressive compass in good working order, but also quite a rare item which is part of social history and has the initials S.B.L impressed on the wood.