Beschreibung:

THE FOUNDING OF THE CONGO FREE STATE An oxidized-brass sextant signed on the (worn) silvered arc ST.W. Watson, 4 Pall Mall, London with platinum scale and further stamped 2919, the index arm with vernier, magnifier and clamp, with two mirrors and seven shades, and a mahogany handle, the telescope with two eyepieces, with adjustment key and lignum vitae mounted loup, in the original fitted mahogany case, the inside of the lid with a label for T.W. Watson Gun Maker & Optician with inscribed date in ink October 27 1882 and other notes, the front of the case with faded piece of applied paper - 23.5cm wide. This sextant, also supplied by Watson, was used by Stanley in the Congo from December 1872 to 1884, and almost certainly used again on the Emin Pasha Relief Expedition. Stanley returned to Brussels in 1872 to terminate his contract with King Leopold. He was informed that his contract was for 5 years, and he duly returned to continue the construction of administrative outposts in the Upper Congo.