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Larry and Carole
Meeker

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LCM@Patented-Antiques.com

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Antique & Vintage
Surveying Compasses

Plain / Vernier / Railroad / Telescopic / Solar / Etc.




Thomas Greenough 18th Century Surveying CompassThomas 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 Railroad CompassW. & L. E Gurley Single Vernier Railroad Compass  This Gurley single vernier railroad 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.

 Gurley CompassOne 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 + . . . . . . $1295.00 

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W. & L. E. Gurley Pocket Railroad CompassW. & L. E. Gurley Pocket Railroad Compass  Gurley offered these miniature compasses for field and reconnaissance work. This style referred to as a railroad pocket compass is illustrated in their 1910 catalog as the  #285.  These small compasses were the top of the line. This was the smaller size with a 3 1/2" needle, single vernier, slotted sight vanes and comes with it original Mahogany box.  The original buyer also opted for the 4 point leveling base which Gurley offered as an accessory or add on to make it even more precise.

The condition is excellent.  It has a nice even rich patina.  It appears that somebody, at some point did begin to polish the leveling base in preparation for display, but either ran out of time, or patience, and the main instrument it self appears to be untouched.  The clamp and thumbscrew for the outside tangent lock is missing.  The compass needle lock is present and OK as is the main vernier adjuster.   The mahogany box is very nice with just a few minor scratches.  The original lock key is present, something you almost never see.  A pretty unusual; size compass ready for the display and collection.  . 

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DE-GRC-RRCOMP

Good + . . . . . . $1295.00 

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Gurley Vernier CompassW. & 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 + . . . . . . $1295.00 

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W. & L. E Gurley Surveyor's Plain Compass w/ 6' NeedleW. & 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 + . . . . . . $995.00 

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Patented 1871 T. F. Randolph Vernier Compass w/ 4' NeedlePatented T. F. Randolph Vernier Compass w/ 4' Needle  This surveying compass is marked with the maker name T. F. Randolph, and the location Cincinnati. Ohio as well as the patent date of June 12th 1871.  Theodore Randolph's working dates were from roughly 1850 to near the turn of the century. He was a well known and respected surveying instrument maker from Cincinnati Ohio. He won several awards at exhibitions and first drew a patent for this style of  compass in 1871.

This instrument has two thumbscrews on the bottom to attach an auxiliary telescope that can be removed. The compass is operational and the 2 level vials embedded in the compass face are full with green blue liquid and appear to be original. The outer silvered Vernier is nice. There is a keeper / numbered dial that is operational as well.  The compass face measures approx 5" and it has a 4" needle which is operational.  The locking feature for the needle works, but is close to being stripped and is fragile.   The bronzed compass face is very nice, and the serial # is 1121. This compass has never been cleaned and has a nice patina. The bottom knuckle joint connector has a spring loaded quick release feature and is prepared to be fitted to a staff .

A nice piece from a hard to find maker that will make a very nice display.

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MOLES-RAND-COMP

Good  . . . . . . $195.00     SOLD!

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Small French Pocket Vernier Compass w/ 4' NeedleSmall 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 - . . . . . . $145.00 

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c.1836 Robert Shaw Surveying CompassRobert Shaw Surveyor's Compass  Robert Shaw was born in New York City in 1817 and worked there throughout his career.  He died in 1876.  From what I have read he learned his trade and worked with from John H. Wheeler another early New York instrument maker prior to opening his own shop.  In Smarts' bio on him he says that Shaw was listed individually in 1836 as a instrument maker at the 222 Water St. location.  After that and until 1845 he was listed as having Addington Frye as a partnr. Shaw 19th Century Surveyor's Compasser.   I suppose this surveyors compass with the location given could date from just after he first opened shop in 1836-1837, and before 1838 when he was in partnership with Addington Frye, or after 1845 when the partnership dissolved.  Later Directories indicate that Shaw was in business by himself at several other locations in the city after 1845 and in his later working years

Several years ago I had and sold a compasses marked with both names that was very similar in design and decoration to this compass.    There is a picture of that compass in the archives if you care to look. 

The overall condition of this surveying compass is superb.   The vanes fit nicely, and the knuckle joint is present.  It is all original and its patina has developed to a warm glow only possible after 150 years of careful storage.  The compass face has very detailed and nicely done  engraving around the ring and at the points.   Early New York instrument makers were proud of their work, and it shows in the level of quality and detail that was put into this piece. The box is proper and a very nicely figured burled / flamed Walnut.  It has a iridescence or shimmering quality even today nearly 150 years after it was made from the wood.  Several years ago I had a Shaw & Frye Compass, but otherwise they are very hard to find today, and are considered rare in most instances.  A very nice piece that is highly recommended!


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JG-SHAW-C

Fine . . . . . . . $2450.00  

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Dating Your Instrument

Here is a link to a site that can help you date your Transit / Level or other Instrument if you are looking for that info.

http://www.surveyhistory.org/how_old_is_my_instrument.htm

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(1998 - 2009)
Larry & Carole Meeker