J. T. Hobby Surveying Compass This
J. T. Hobby vernier compass is in Fine + original condition.. Jonathon
T. Hobby was an early New York Instrument Maker who was first listed in
New York Directories in 1840 at the 156 Water Street location given on
the tag inside the lid of the box. He was born on July 6th 1811 in
New Rochelle NY. He was partnered with Horace Sawyer from 1840 thru 1854
at the same location. He was later listed as a sole proprietor
until 1869 at the same Water Street location. He died in 1883.
Given the label inside the top mentions the prior partnership we can
date this compass between the years 1855 and 1869. This particular instrument descends directly thru the family of the last owner, Dayton Miller, who was famous for his work at Case Western Reserve University in Columbus Ohio. It was part of his collection / estate which was left to the university.
Both the instrument and the dovetailed mahogany box are in pristine condition. The lacquer finish is original and fine. The compass measures about 16" and the needle is 5" long. The levle vials are full and appear to be original. It is complete with the knuckle joint adapter to fit a Jacobs staff or appropriate tripod. Note the bronzed face of the compass, the leaf and vine engraved decoration around the compass rose, and the very decorative North Fleur d' lei. Features that are nice touchs typical of the finest New York makers of this era.
A fine mid 19th century surveyors compass that is very hard to find!
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WF-CASE-HOBBY
Fine . . . . . . . $1795.00
M.
Attwood / A. Lietz Miners Clinometer / Compass Mr.
Attwood's invention appears in the 1899 A. Lietz Co.of San Francisco catalog billed as their
#87 Attwood Clinometer. It still appears in the 1911 catalog.
It is referred to in an 1896 J. C. Sala Catalog so the idea for it had
been around for a while before Lietz offered their modified design.
I could not find a patent for it using Google. The 1911 catalog and the entry can be viewed in Google books with a search
for M. Attwood Clinometer. This particular instrument comes directly from the family of the owner Roy Wethered who was born in 1883 and was a miner and involved in various mining operations of that time period. A Google search of his name brings up numerous references and biographical info.
This combination mining tool / inclinometer / Clinometer / compass and more measures 6 3/8 x 3 x 7/16". The condition is very nice showing just minor losses to the original black finish. The level vials are good, and the sighting feature works as it should. It also has its original leather case that is nice as well.. It is made of an Aluminum alloy and includes an inclinometer and compass as well as two levels and a sighting arrangement allowing it to be used as a hand level / grade level. The catalog description lists out all the mining jobs it could be used for including rough surveys. The cost back then was $15.00
A very nice piece of mining related memorabilia that is very hard to find!
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CASS-ATTWOOD
Fine . . . . . . . $495.00 SOLD!
Thomas Greenough 18th Century
Wooden Surveyor's Compass There are two possibilities about who made this compass:
1. It was made by Thomas Greenough about 1760 or
2. It was by the unknown successor to Thomas Greenough in about 1780. I am not certain
which is correct but either way it is an 18th century American compass. The compass measures 14 3/4 inches long and the compass has a 4 3/4 inch needle. On the inside of the cover is a very old glued paper label that says "Made by Thos. Greenough Jr. Boston May 8, 1738 mathematical instrument maker ... From the 1865 Edition of New England Hist. + Gen Register ..." Thomas Greenough Sr. and Jr. made compasses in Boston during the period beginning about 1730 to about 1780. There is a compass with this same compass card attributed to Greenough on pages 89 & 90 in Silvio Bedini's book, Early American Scientific Instruments and Their Makers. This same style compass with the same card can also be seen at the Smithsonian Site (if this link works). There is also some further bio info you can read there.
The compass has no box, (probably never did) or staff / tripod. The sights are numbered in the old style to show which side of the compass they fit. The compass cover is original, and leather tie to hold the cover on the compass for transport is present. As you can see in the photos the compass glass is cracked but the compass has what appears to be it's original putty holding in the glass and the original compass needle.
18th Century American Compasses are a rarity and becoming ever more difficult to find. This is a nice example that will be the highlight of any important collection of early Americana. Recommended.
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MB-GC-1
Good + . . . . . . $2295.00
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W.
& L. E Gurley Single Vernier Compass This
Gurley single vernier compass is an early example of the W. & L. E.
Gurley companies work. This company was formed in the 1850's and became the
leading maker of surveying instruments in the USA. The Troy NY location
is at the top above the North Fleur d' Lei which means it dates from the
1880 or before. It is hand engraved as well. The needle is 5" and
swings freely and locks as it should.
The box is nice with some
minor rubs and chips at the edges. There are two labels inside the top.
The previous owner carved his name and location in SC in the box lid.
A Google search did not turn up any info on the owner, but he may have played
a part in dividing up the state during the period just after the Civil War.
One of the sight vane screws is a mix - match, but it the proper thread.
If I did not mention it it would not be noticed. One of the sight vanes
is edge graduated to allow for elevation sightings. There are small
peep sights attached as well The compass needs
some minor restoration. On the top of the compass the vernier lock
screw needs attention, and the vernier adjuster across from it needs to be attached
w/ 2 small screws which are not present. The gears look OK, and the compass
body moves freely as it should, just the small screws
are missing to hold the adjuster. The keeper or counter works and the needle lock and needle
do as well. It appears one level vial has been replaced w/ later lined
version.
All in all a nice example of a hard to find and early
surveyors railroad compass. It will display very nicely in or out of the
box and has a great patina and graphic look to it. In the past I have had and
seen this model offered for far more and the price reflects the minor restoration
that could be done
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DE-GRC-RRCOMP
Good + . . . . . . $1095.00
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W. & L. E Gurley Vernier Compass
w/ 6' Needle This Gurley single vernier
compass is an early example of the Gurley firms work. The Troy NY location is
at the top above the North Fleur d' Lei and dates this compass from pre 1880.
Gurley did not use serial numbers on their early instruments and it is sometimes difficult to pinpoint
the exact year of manufacture. This compass could date from the Civil
War era from its attributes.
The compass face is silvered and hand
engraved. The needle is 6" making this the largest size compass Gurley
offered. The needle swings freely and locks as it should. The Brass
cover is present and nice. Some minor restoration works need to be done
to return this piece to its full glory. The Vernier adjuster & lock is
missing from the left side. This would consist of a threaded rod running
through a ball nut that would occupy the two holes on the left side above the
vernier scale just outside the compass. On the right side there is a missing
level vial. These would be easy fixes and I can arrange to have this done
for you, or it will display just fine as is.
The box is nice with
some minor rubs and chips at the edges. The original owner has scratched his
name into the top of the box. It is not objectionable.
A Google search did not turn up any info on the owner, but he may have played
a part in dividing up the state just after the Civil War from what the consignor
has said. There is the remains of a label inside the top, but it has no
legible writing on it. Inside the box is the socket joint that would have
been used to mount this to a staff or tripod. The sight vanes are proper
and nice, and are edge marked.
All in all a
nice example of a hard to find early Gurley surveyors compass. It will
display very nicely in or out of the box and has a great patina and graphic
look to it. I have seen this model compass offered for far more
and the price reflects the minor restoration that could be done
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DE-GRC-COMP
Good + . . . . . . $1095.00
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W. & L. E Gurley
Surveyor's Plain Compass
w/ 6' Needle Gurley offered the
plain compass for general survey work. There is a single vernier scale
under the glass to mark off or read angles. The Troy NY location is
at the bottom below the South point and dates this compass from pre 1880.
There is not serial # and Gurley did not use serial numbers on their early instruments
prior to 1908. It is sometimes difficult to pinpoint
the exact year of manufacture although the features and the label in the lid
can be an indication of the general time period.
The needle
is 6" making this the largest size compass Gurley offered. The needle
swings freely and locks as it should. The sight vanes are present. The compass face is silvered
and there is some spotting with one stained area at approx 2 o'clock that was
cleaned to a point of some of the silver coating is worn through
there. The two level vials are full and OK.
The boxes exterior
was refinished at some point. On the left side there is a long sliver
of wood missing from the box. I have pictured this. There is a label inside the top that pictures the
Gurley office building. There is a site that has a series of these
labels pictured and assigns dates to them from when they appeared
in different year catalogs. The socket / knuckle joint that would
be used to mount this to a staff or tripod is present. The sight vanes are proper,
nice, and are edge marked. The swinging peep sights are present.
The mounting screws for the sight vanes are replacements as can be seen in one of the pics.
The missing sight vane screws could be remade and the compass face
re-silvered to make it even nicer, or this compass will display very nicely
in or out of the box just as it sits.
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SK-GPC-1
Good + . . . . . . $895.00
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Small French Pocket Vernier Compass
w/ 4' Needle This small and simply
constructed single vernier
compass is marked France. This example is a couple sizes larger than
the smaller size typically seen. These can often be seen offered in
American tool and surveying catalogs as a second line of instruments for use
in the field. This example is in need of some restoration. The
glass is missing over the compass face, and the box needs to be rebuilt as
it is missing several side walls to the top.
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DE-FNCH-COMP
Good - . . . . . . $125.00
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K
& E #5293 Miners Compass / Dipping Compass
This dip compass is NOS and has just minor loss to the finish along the edges.
These were used as locators for all things magnetic, from pipes to ore.
There was a period when they dressed them up a bit put handles on them, and
told the American public that they could find their riches using the one
they offered.
LCM-DIP
Excellent. . . . . $95.00
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Now
K
& E Miners Compass / Dip Compass
The body of this one is made of Aluminum. It is the same idea as
the other K & E compasses listed above.
SAZ-DIP
Good + . . . . $55.00
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Now
Darley Miners Compass / Dip
Needle w/ Extendable Handle & Case
Same as above, but with a handle.
AMN-DIP
Good + . . . . $55.00
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Now
K
& E / Keuffel & Esser #5332 Surveying Compass
Compasses this size and style were for use in the field for rough or preliminary work. They
are often referred to as a Foresters compass as well. It has its knuckle
joint for use with a staff, and comes in its original fitted box. Some can
be found in leather cases. The needle is approx 3" and the level vials
under the glass are good. Nice
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SAZ-KE5332
Excellent. . . . . $175.00
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Now
K
& E / Keuffel & Esser #5334 Surveying Compass w/ Box & Socket
This one is a bit larger than the one above and its needle is approx 4".
The level vials under the
glass are good. The black finish is in very nice condition. The
needle swings freely. Compasses this size were for use in the field for rough or
preliminary work. They are often referred to as a Foresters compass as well. It
has its knuckle joint for use with a staff, and comes in its original fitted
box. Nice
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SCBRG-KE5334-2
Excellent. . . . . $145.00
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Now
Brunton Compass
/ Riverton Wyoming
This style of compass has been in production for a
number of years. It was so popular that they have begun to make repops of
it in brass marked different ways. There is a website that has a page
devoted to this sort of fake, and others that have appeared on the market.
This is a real one.
It is a later model, but real.
The housing is made of a composite of some sort. It is in like new
condition but the leather case as seen has seen some days in the field. Nice
SAZ-BRUNTCOMP
Excellent. . . . . $125.00
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http://www.surveyhistory.org/how_old_is_my_instrument.htmThis website is Copyrighted
(1998 - 2009)
Larry & Carole Meeker