surveyor's compass
Datecirca 1817
Inventory Number5183
ClassificationSurveyor's Compass
Subject
Maker
Spencer & Company
fl. 1817
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Place of Use
Dimensionscompass without sights: 5.2 × 14 × 34.8 cm (2 1/16 × 5 1/2 × 13 11/16 in.)
case: 6.7 × 35.6 × 16.5 cm (2 5/8 × 14 × 6 1/2 in.)
case: 6.7 × 35.6 × 16.5 cm (2 5/8 × 14 × 6 1/2 in.)
Material
Accessoriescarrying case
DescriptionAll brass instrument with two removable sighting vanes (replacements). Both have a narrow slit and circular apertures. There are no bubble level on this instrument.
The silvered dial's face has eight cardinal points. Degrees are engraved on the raised scale (0-360°), divided in 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 hooks and lock.
The silvered dial's face has eight cardinal points. Degrees are engraved on the raised scale (0-360°), divided in 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 hooks and lock.
Signedon dial, engraved: SPENCER & Co. / LONDON
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.
ProvenanceAndrew Nichols (Danvers, Massachusetts); given to seven of his grandchildren to own equally; David Wheatland (Topsfield, Massachusetts) purchased from Nathan P. Nichols (Hathorne, Massachusetts) January 16, 1975; donated to CHSI 1975.
Historical AttributesUsed by Andrew Nichols, a surveyor in Danvers and a descendant of the Holyoke family.
Samuel Thaxter & Son
Date: 1822-1831
Accessories: protective cushioned cloth; carrying case; ball-and-socket joint
Object number: 5180
William J. Young
Date: 1820-1840
Accessories: ball-and-socket joint; carrying case
Object number: 5189
Charles Pool
Date: 1820-1835
Accessories: carrying case; ball-and-socket joint; extra needle; plumb bob; glass vial; brass plates
Object number: 5194
J. Pool & Company
Date: circa 1850
Accessories: carrying case
Object number: 5200
George Adams (I)
Date: 1750-1772
Accessories: carrying case; cover plate (missing)
Object number: DW0687
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
William J. Young
Date: 1840-1855
Accessories: carrying case
Object number: 5190