K
& E / Keuffel & Esser c. 1919 # 5074 Engineers Mountain & Mining
Transit This model and style transit with its
unusual 3 screw leveling base is very unusual. In catalogs it gets an
asterisk with explanation that it is only available through special order. K & E called this style of
transit off as "Extra Fine" & The serial # is 38611 dating it from 1920
or so. The tag on the door says the needle is calibrated for Buenos
Aries Argentina. There is a tag on the box that also indicates it came
from South America. Note that it has 2 auxiliary magnifiers to allow
for a more precise reading of the extra fine scales on the different
vernier scales.
All motions and thumbscrews operate smoothly. The silvered compass face is near flawless, and the 3 3/4" compass needle swings north. The black oxidized finish is mostly fine. All three level bubbles are good and appear to be original. The optics are clear and good.
There are a few minor apologies. The door on the box has been remounted on the opposite side of the opening. Not sure why and no apparent reason. There is one vertical and 2 horizontal crosshairs. One crosshair above the center horizontal crosshair is broken or unattached. Also, the protective outer cover or guard for the vertical circle / vernier scale is cracked. I see no damage to the wheel itself. Finally, there is a small dent on the end of the scope as pictured.
This rare & desirable surveying instrument will be a highlight of the well rounded surveying instrument collection and will display very nicely in any number of settings.
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ARG-KE-5074
Good + . . . . . . $600.00
To Order Email: patentedantiques@gmail.com
W. & L. E. Gurley & Others
Surveying / Surveyor
Compasses / Solar Compasses / Transits
W.
& L. E. Gurley Aluminum Solar Compass Gurley
Aluminum Solar Compasses are amongst the rarest of the rare in antique surveying instruments. Gurley
made an aluminum version of their solar compass for just a short period starting in the 1890s,
and only a handful are known to exist or thought to have been produced. Gurleys' use of Aluminum during this time period was very unusual. Aluminum was a relatively new material whose characteristics had not been fully developed, were understood, or had been perfected. Aluminum from this period was very brittle and prone to crack. The finished compass, while much lighter than one made of brass, is also much more fragile.
One Aluminum Solar Compass came to market at Skinners Auction 15 or so years ago and brought over 17K. I was told it later sold privately for 60K. There is another example currently on eBay as of Sept 2020 priced at 24K. The author of that ad, a well known authority on antique surveying instruments states that his is one of only a few others known. I had another collector tell me of a couple others he was aware of.
I went inside looking for a date or maker info. I saw no date info. The number 14 was stamped under the plate. The Burt Solar Attachment is also stamped # 14. It could be a serial # or have another explanation. There were some other marks and scratches inside, but they appeared to be reference marks related to assembly.
Inside the original fitted box, in the top compartment, is a dead mint 1920 Gurley Catalog and some other Gurley marked material from the same era. The catalog
is still in the original mailing envelope. There are also some newspaper scraps used for packing that are dated 1920. I believe
the compass itself dates from the 1890s, some 20 - 30 years earlier, and that the instrument with the 1920 catalog went into storage around 1920.
The overall condition of this Aluminum Solar Compass is nice. Both level vials are good although one is blue and one clear. All motions and adjustments turn freely. There are two bases. One is a brass leveling head for use with a tripod, and one a brass knuckle joint for mounting the compass to a staff. The striding level is present as is the adjustment bar. The striding level is full, but appears to have a hairline crack in it.
There are also two small sight vane attachments with a fitted spot in the box. The tops of the brass sight vanes are different designs, one rounded and one w/ a peak. The cutouts, patina, and finish match on both. Note that the holes through the aluminum plate under both sight vanes have been slightly enlarged for some reason. This Gurley Aluminum Solar Compass is an amazing instrument that will fit into many different collections. A rare opportunity.
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RS-GUR-ASCOMP-3
Good . . . . . . $9,750.00
To Order Email: patentedantiques@gmail.com
Misc. Surveying Tools
Tripods / Plumb Bobs /
Chains / Drafting Sets & More
for Architects / Engineers & Surveyors
A.
Lietz San Francisco 1899 Catalog Nice!!
LCM-LIETZ-1893
Good + . . . . . $250.00
To Order Email: patentedantiques@gmail.com
1908
C. L. Berger & Sons Catalog Nice!!
LCM-1908-BERG
Good + . . . . . $150.00
To Order Email: patentedantiques@gmail.com
Dating Your Surveying Instrument
Here is a link to a website that
can help you date your Transit / Level or other Surveyor's Instrument.
http://www.surveyhistory.org/how_old_is_my_instrument.htm
We buy quality
Surveying & Engineering Related Antiques
and other categories of Antiques.
To view examples of the types of antiques and collectibles we have previously sold
and are always interested in buying please visit our
Past Sales Archive Pages at our sister website
www.AntiqBuyer.com.