surveyor's compass
Date1820-1840
Inventory Number5189
ClassificationSurveyor's Compass
Subject
Maker
William J. Young
1800 - 1870
Seller
Benjamin Pike's Son
fl. 1867 - 1916
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensionscompass: 5.6 × 32 × 13.4 cm (2 3/16 × 12 5/8 × 5 1/4 in.)
case: 7.5 × 33.3 × 17.7 cm (2 15/16 × 13 1/8 × 6 15/16 in.)
case: 7.5 × 33.3 × 17.7 cm (2 15/16 × 13 1/8 × 6 15/16 in.)
Material
Accessoriesball-and-socket joint; carrying case
DescriptionAll brass instrument with two removable sighting vanes. Both have narrow slits and circular apertures. There are two bubble levels, on separate arms, positioned at a right angle and forming a "T", to level in both axes of the horizontal plane.
The darkened dial's face has eight cardinal points, with a fleur-de-lys/star for identifying North. Degrees are engraved on the raised scale (0-90°-0-90°), divided in half degrees and degrees, marked every ten. The needle is suspended by a steel point. The brass lifter arm is operated from underneath the instrument. The instrument is supported by a ball-and-socket joint and staff (missing).
When not in use, the instrument is stored in a mahogany box with brass hinges and lock. It also has a glued label inside from another firm, B. Pike's Son (Daniel PIke), most likely the seller of this instrument.
The darkened dial's face has eight cardinal points, with a fleur-de-lys/star for identifying North. Degrees are engraved on the raised scale (0-90°-0-90°), divided in half degrees and degrees, marked every ten. The needle is suspended by a steel point. The brass lifter arm is operated from underneath the instrument. The instrument is supported by a ball-and-socket joint and staff (missing).
When not in use, the instrument is stored in a mahogany box with brass hinges and lock. It also has a glued label inside from another firm, B. Pike's Son (Daniel PIke), most likely the seller of this instrument.
Signedon dial, engraved: W. J. Young / Maker / Patent / Philadelphia
on label, inside case: Benj'n Pike's Son, / Optician / Importer & Manufacturer... / 518 Broadway
FunctionThe surveyor's compass is an instrument used in surveying (or in navigation in rare cases) to measure horizontal angles, what is called bearing or azimuth.
For a nice discussion of this intrument, see the following website.
For a nice discussion of this intrument, see the following website.
ProvenanceDavid Wheatland purchased from Roland Hammond, North Andover, Massachusetts, November 1, 1962, at the Ellis Memorial Antiques Show. Donated to CHSI February 2, 1977.
Samuel Thaxter & Son
Date: 1822-1831
Accessories: protective cushioned cloth; carrying case; ball-and-socket joint
Object number: 5180
William J. Young
Date: 1840-1855
Accessories: carrying case
Object number: 5190
Charles Pool
Date: 1820-1835
Accessories: carrying case; ball-and-socket joint; extra needle; plumb bob; glass vial; brass plates
Object number: 5194
E. & G. W. Blunt
Date: 1844-1857
Accessories: handwritten tables and charts; carrying case; ball-and-socket joint
Object number: 5187
Chamberlain & Ritchie
Date: 1850-1854
Accessories: carrying case; tripod (5129b)
Object number: 5129a
E. & G. W. Blunt
Date: circa 1850
Accessories: ball-and-socket joint (5203b); tripod (5203c)
Object number: 5203a
H. M. Pool & Brothers
Date: 1853-1858
Accessories: belt grip; dial cover plate; lifter arm; carrying case
Object number: 5188
J. Pool & Company
Date: circa 1850
Accessories: carrying case
Object number: 5200
Alexander Megarey
Date: circa 1840
Accessories: cover plate for compass dial; plumb bob; ball and socket tripod (2005-1-0002), carrying case
Object number: 5199
George Adams (I)
Date: 1750-1772
Accessories: carrying case; cover plate (missing)
Object number: DW0687
See also/See also
