ellipsograph
Date1870-1900
Inventory Number1997-1-1858
ClassificationEllipsograph
Subject
Maker
J. Fairbanks
Cultural Region
Dimensionsinstrument-one piece: 16.7 × 65.5 × 3 cm (6 9/16 × 25 13/16 × 1 3/16 in.)
case: 9.3 × 69.9 × 21.1 cm (3 11/16 × 27 1/2 × 8 5/16 in.)
case: 9.3 × 69.9 × 21.1 cm (3 11/16 × 27 1/2 × 8 5/16 in.)
Material
Accessoriesmahogany case with green felt interior
DescriptionThe ellipsograph pieces are stored in a rectangular mahogany case that opens with four brass hinges along one long edge. There is a brass handle screwed onto each of the short faces. There are two brass hooks attached to the front of the bottom of the case that hook onto two brass pins on the front of the lid of the case when closed. The inside of the bottom of the case is lined with green felt.
There are four ellipsograph pieces. Two long brass bars, each with a shorter, perpendicular brass bar on one side at each end. At the end of three of the shorter bar there is a ridged, round brass screw with a pin sticking out of it. The screw and pin is missing from the fourth short bar.
Each long bar has a track, consisting of two brass rails, on the face from which the shorter arm extends. There is a brass frame with a steel adjustment screw sliding in each track. The frame fits a thin brass arm that is attached to a stationary mechanism midway on one of the long bars. The mechanism has two short arms, both perpendicular to the main bar, attached by a corner connecter and a gear with an adjustment screw.
The set also has a brass cross consisting of two intersecting bars. There is a steel adjustment screw at both ends of one bar, and an adjustment screw on both sides of center of the other bar. That bar also has a regular steel screw at one end and a screw hole at the other end. There is a small hole at the intersection point of the two bars.
There a long, sharp, steel pin with a ridged brass screw at one end.
There are four ellipsograph pieces. Two long brass bars, each with a shorter, perpendicular brass bar on one side at each end. At the end of three of the shorter bar there is a ridged, round brass screw with a pin sticking out of it. The screw and pin is missing from the fourth short bar.
Each long bar has a track, consisting of two brass rails, on the face from which the shorter arm extends. There is a brass frame with a steel adjustment screw sliding in each track. The frame fits a thin brass arm that is attached to a stationary mechanism midway on one of the long bars. The mechanism has two short arms, both perpendicular to the main bar, attached by a corner connecter and a gear with an adjustment screw.
The set also has a brass cross consisting of two intersecting bars. There is a steel adjustment screw at both ends of one bar, and an adjustment screw on both sides of center of the other bar. That bar also has a regular steel screw at one end and a screw hole at the other end. There is a small hole at the intersection point of the two bars.
There a long, sharp, steel pin with a ridged brass screw at one end.
Signedengraved in script on instrument arm: J Fairbanks
FunctionEllipsographs are mechanical, analogue instruments used to draw ellipses of desired specifications on the surface below. This set is missing many parts.
Gebrüder Haff
Date: circa 1940
Accessories: case
Object number: 1997-1-0446
Gebrüder Haff
Date: circa 1940
Accessories: card with instrument info and conversion table; photocopy of letter from Dr. Joachim Fischer to William J.H. Andrewes, dated 12 May 1997; photocopy of extract from Dr. Joachim Fischer's inventory of integrating instruments included with the letter
Object number: 1997-1-0444
Gebrüder Haff
Date: circa 1940
Accessories: card with instrument information and conversion table
Object number: 1997-1-0445
Gebrüder Haff
Date: circa 1949
Accessories: instruction manual for K&E planimeters 4236, 4236M and 4242 in instrument case; instrument case; green cardboard box for instrument case; white card with instrument information inside case
Object number: 2004-1-0346
Gebrüder Haff
Date: circa 1949
Accessories: instrument case
white card with instrument and measurement information inside instrument case
Object number: 2004-1-0344
Charles Bruning Company
Date: 1942
Accessories: plywood case; 3/4 inch wrench; black metal end pieces
Object number: 2003-1-0127
Gottlieb Coradi
Date: circa 1920
Accessories: pieces of the front of black leather case with clasps; lid of case with paper data sheet; pieces of black leather case lined with green velvet
Object number: 2004-1-0345
W. F. Stanley & Company, Ltd.
Date: circa 1873
Accessories: case
Object number: 5120
Gebrüder Haff
Date: circa 1957
Accessories: white card with instrument information inside case
Object number: 1997-1-0447
Gebrüder Haff
Date: circa 1960
Accessories: black storage case
two white cards with conversion tables inside case
Object number: 1997-1-2000
Adrien Gavard
Date: circa 1860
Accessories: hinged mahogany case with original trade label; extra arm; writing implements; instrument weights; small ivory wheels with brass frames
Object number: 1997-1-1856
French
Date: circa 1880
Accessories: protecting case with glass window
Object number: DW0095
See also/See also
