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 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.
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 + . . . . . . $1295.00
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W.
& 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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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 + . . . . . . $1295.00
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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 + . . . . . . $995.00
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Patented 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' 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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Robert
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 partn
er.
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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Larry & Carole Meeker