A vintage Japanese transparent compass, dating from the mid 20th century. Although there are no maker's marks, this compass is identical to one that featured in Mitsui & Co. Ltd, Tokyo, catalogues in the early 1960s. Mitsui and other Japanese manufacturers produced large numbers of pocket compasses for export in the 1950s and 1960s. These were often simply marked 'Foreign', on the dial or compass card.
The compass has luminous paint marker dots at the cardinal points and on the North point of the needle, gold painted markings, thick bevelled glass on one side, flat glass on the other side, and a nickel-plated brass case. It also has a transit lock, operated by a sliding button on the side of the case. This is how it was described in the Mitsui & Co. Ltd Catalogue, c.1960: 'No. 325: Transparent compass. Brass gilded with nickel. Transparent golden marked dial, with jeweled pivot, luminous compass points. This compass is one of our special models with directional letters on the under part of transparent glass. This enables the user to see through the transparent compass when placed upon maps, charts, or any printed matter'
Transparent compasses were specifically intended to be used laid upon a map, allowing the map details to be viewed through the compass. Francis Barker & Son made a series of transparent compasses (known as the 'Pebble Lens') from the late 19th centry until the 1920's - although Barker's design featured magnifying lenses, while Japanese versions like this one had plain glass that was non-magnifying.
Condition:
The compass is in very good condition and finds North well. The transit lock is working. The luminous paint markers at the cardinal points and on the needle glow in the dark.
Dimensions : 55mm diameter x 11mm height
