Felipe Bauzá's drawing instruments

This case contains various instruments used to draw maps, such as compasses, rulers, and brass and steel tools for drawing with nib pens and watercolors. It was made by French firm Baradelle L’ainé. The company specialized in making instruments to be used in science, mathematics, and navigation. It was one of France's main suppliers of map drawing instruments.

It belonged to Felipe Bauzá y Cañas, a Spanish sailor and cartographer who trained at the Royal Company of Midshipmen, where he obtained the title of Master of Fortification and Drawing.

He helped create the Atlas Marítimo de España, between 1785 and 1789 with Vicente Tofiño. He was also the principal cartographer on the Malaspina Expedition, described as "a scientific and political voyage around the world." The expedition was funded by Charles III of Spain and toured the coastlines of the Americas, reaching Alaska, the Philippines, New Zealand, and Australia. It resulted in improved knowledge of natural history, cartography, ethnography, astronomy, hydrography, and medicine.