The addition of aquarelle or watercolor bricks and tray makes this one splendid! This is a large and very fine French Antique Drafting Set made in France by the Company, "Compas Superieurs". The Set is so unusual for a number of reasons. It is large for one of these sets, measuring 10.25 inches long by 7 inches wide and 2.5 inches in height. Inside there are two compartments. The upper one is a tray filled with a virtually complete, and extensive, matching set of original antique drafting instruments including ink pens, small pencils, a forty centimeter ruler, a proportional divider, various sized compasses, etc. (Be sure to carefully examine the photos.) In the space below the tray, rosewood dividers are fitted and sized to hold antique watercolor tiles, many of which, well used now, were original with the Set. Even making it more rare is the rosewood veneer, wood case in which it is enclosed. On the lid there is a perfectly intact brass and mother of pearl Boulle inlay plus brass stringing, and brass pencil edging around the edges.
The maker, Compas Superieurs, made and assembled a range of drafting sets from ordinary for student use and, extraordinary, for use by well heeled, highly skilled draftsmen and architects. The Brevetes S.G.D.G. indicates this Set is registered with the French Societe General des Designs et. and has a French form of patent without government guarantees that began in 1844. It was likely made prior between 1870 and 1900.
We had had a number of French Antique Drafting Sets over the years, many of them very fine, but none finer than this one, apart from one 18th century masterpiece - do look for it, too, sold separately. None of these are perfect. One drafting compass is brass and does not match, certainly a replacement for a lost piece. Brass edging on the back has been tacked in place at some time in its history. Some brass stringing has been repaired or replaced. The lock will work with the key that was with it but the inside of the lock has minor damage and is not reliable. It does hold the lid shut. The original silk lining on the padded lnside lid flap was in tatters when we found it with the original signage the only portion that could be saved. We had the shredded silk replaced with a purple silk fabric and attached the signage. It does still have the original cotton padding inside. We also gave the rosewood veneers a coat of beeswax and it is in excellent condition as the photos show. Even wiith the minor issues noted, this is a stunning antique set. Please look it over. It is marvelous gift for any graduate of today’s professions that stand on the shoulders of those early draftsmen and designers. This Set elegantly preserves tools and technology, now seen as primitive, but once thought to be the absolute state of the art.
