Ernst SCHOOTE & Co, Berlin - Lot 91

Ernst SCHOOTE & Co, Berlin Navisphere called "Tête de veau", formed by a celestial globe in varnished paper, centered on a cartouche with the manufacturer's name "Berlin - Geogr. artist Anstaldt von Ernst Schotte & Co"; held in a brass and Plexiglas frame, signed 'Nautische Werkstatten GMBH Kiel". In its original mahogany case, hinged by a central hook, the interior in green velvet à la forme, held by a brown leather belt, dated inside "Dezember 1933", the main side centered with a round cartouche with the name "Felix Graf Luckner". Germany, Berlin, circa 1930-1940 D. 16 cm (globe) - 24 x 30 x 26 cm (case) (Slight dents in the globe) Provenance: Count Felix von Luckner - Count Felix von Luckner (1881-1966), German naval officer, engaged in World War I aboard the Seeadler - French private collection Historical background: The navisphere was designed in 1879 by Henri Julien Aved de Magnac (1836-1892), a French naval officer, as a means of recognizing the stars and their heights, as well as azimuths in overcast conditions. It was distributed in France by Émile Bertaux, a publisher and geographer of scientific and geographical instruments, and reappropriated by various European navies, notably the English, Russians and Germans.