pantograph
Datecirca 1820
Inventory NumberDW0162
ClassificationPantograph
Subject
Maker
Peter Hill
1778 - 1845
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensions12 x 66 x 12 cm (4 3/4 x 26 x 4 3/4 in.)
Material
Accessoriesstorage box
two original curatorial information cards
DescriptionThe Pantograph is stored in a long, thin, triangular, mahogany box. The lid and the bottom are attached with hinges along one of the long sides. There is a metal key hole centered along the opposite long side of the bottom of the box. There are two metal hooks attached to the bottom of the box that fit into loops attached to the top of the box to keep it closed.
This Pantograph consists of four brass arms with four pivoting connections. The two longest arms are attached at one end. That end will be referred to as the leftmost extremity of the Pantograph. The two smaller arms are attached at the opposite end. The other end of each smaller arm is attached to one of the longer arms. Both of the longer brass arms are engraved with incremental measures. The smaller arms are attached with a brass slider and screw. Users can loosen the screw in order to slide the ends of the smaller arms to the desired location. The resulting shape of the Pantograph is a single parallelogram with two extended sides.
Each of the four pivot intersections sits atop a small ivory wheel framed in brass.
There is an identical wheel supporting the extended (rightmost) end of one of the longer brass arms. There is a vertical brass stylus attached to this extremity. There is a silver metal puck underneath the extended end of the other long brass arm. The metal puck remains stationary while the rest of the instrument moves.
One of the smaller brass arms is engraved with incremental measures. There is a sliding, brass attachment on that arm. It is attached with a screw that can be loosened, permitting the user to slide it along the arm to a desired measure. The slider is attached to a brass writing implement holder, extending vertically below. Above, there is a small brass dish with a grey molded weight sitting in it. The weight keeps the writing instrument in contact with the surface below.
This Pantograph consists of four brass arms with four pivoting connections. The two longest arms are attached at one end. That end will be referred to as the leftmost extremity of the Pantograph. The two smaller arms are attached at the opposite end. The other end of each smaller arm is attached to one of the longer arms. Both of the longer brass arms are engraved with incremental measures. The smaller arms are attached with a brass slider and screw. Users can loosen the screw in order to slide the ends of the smaller arms to the desired location. The resulting shape of the Pantograph is a single parallelogram with two extended sides.
Each of the four pivot intersections sits atop a small ivory wheel framed in brass.
There is an identical wheel supporting the extended (rightmost) end of one of the longer brass arms. There is a vertical brass stylus attached to this extremity. There is a silver metal puck underneath the extended end of the other long brass arm. The metal puck remains stationary while the rest of the instrument moves.
One of the smaller brass arms is engraved with incremental measures. There is a sliding, brass attachment on that arm. It is attached with a screw that can be loosened, permitting the user to slide it along the arm to a desired measure. The slider is attached to a brass writing implement holder, extending vertically below. Above, there is a small brass dish with a grey molded weight sitting in it. The weight keeps the writing instrument in contact with the surface below.
Signedengraved in script on a brass arm: P. Hill Edinr
Curatorial RemarksThe mahogany case has been restored.
FunctionThe Pantograph is a motion transfer mechanical linkage used to make re-scaled but otherwise identical copies of two dimensional drawings and maps. Users first select the desired ratio of reproduction by adjusting the placement of the smaller brass arms on the larger ones and by placing the writing implement holder at the appropriate increment. Users then trace the original two-dimensional image with the brass stylus and motion will be transferred through the pivot points of the parallelogram such that the drawing implement will draw the desired re-scaled image on the surface below.
ProvenanceDavid Wheatland purchased from Roux-Devillas Paris, March 29, 1966 (lot 4/29).
W. & S. Jones
Date: circa 1820
Accessories: wooden storage case
ivory caps
extra brass arm
Object number: DW0807
Keuffel & Esser Company
Date: circa 1875
Accessories: pantograph weight (5140b); wooden stands
Object number: 5140a
John Bleuler
Date: circa 1790
Accessories: wooden storage case
three ivory tiles fallen off the instrument
two original curatorial cards
Object number: DW0454
Forster
Date: 1950-1960
Accessories: spare ink cartridges; pen attachments
am auxiliary box containing small Allen wrench, scotch tape, extra parts, and storage instructions
Object number: 1999-1-0054
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
Gottfried G. Ledder
Date: circa 1904
Accessories: triangular mahogany case
Object number: 1997-1-1857
Hammond Typewriter Company
Date: circa 1923
Accessories: four Hammond type shuttles for different type faces, each with a wooden storage box; four laminated paper rectangles with symbol placement guide; instruction book, instruction sheets, advertisements, and correspondence (in object file)
Object number: 1996-1-0373
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 1940
Accessories: case
Object number: 1997-1-0446