Great Britain, temp. Hanover. Melville's Patent Propellers WM Advertising Token. Circa 1830s. MELVILLE'S PATENT PROPELLERS FOR OCCASIONAL USE AS AN AUXILIARY AID TO SAILING VESSELS DURING CALM LIGHT WEATHER in nine lines across fields / A depiction of Melville's Patent Propellers. 12.55g, 34mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; lustre around the devices. Extremely Rare.

From a private British collection.

This extremely rare advertising token depicts a propulsion device patented by John Melville to aid sailing ships make passage in light winds. The device was tested to great lengths by the ship 'Maria' against one hundred similar journey's made by ships of the East India Company, as recorded by Henry Wise in his work "An analysis of one hundred voyages to and from India, China, &c: Performed by ships in the hon'ble East India Company's service; with remarks on the advantages of steam-power applied as an auxiliary aid to shipping; and suggestions for improving thereby the communication with India, viâ the Cape of Good Hope. To which is added an appendix, containing a description of Melville's patent propellers, with plans of the engines, machinery, &c." published in 1839.