surveyor's compass
Date1830-1840
Inventory Number5191
ClassificationSurveyor's Compass
Subject
Maker
Samuel Thaxter & Son
fl. 1822 - 1843
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensions10.6 × 29.2 × 22.3 cm (4 3/16 × 11 1/2 × 8 3/4 in.)
Material
DescriptionThe instrument's body is made of mahogany. It has a square sight tube with brass ends (cross hairs missing). The tube pivots on a vertical graduated semi-circle, divided in degrees on three quadrants, marked every ten degrees. Two bubble levels (one missing) are at right angle to each other, embedded in compass' frame with putty. The dial is printed on paper. It is based on an eight point star rose, but with thirty-two directions in all. The scale is divided in degrees, in four quadrants, and marked every ten degrees. A fleur-de-lys indicates North.
Signedon dial: THAXTER & SON / MAKERS. / State Street. / BOSTON
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 Saul Moskowitz, Marblehead, Massachusetts, November 23, 1974. 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
E. & G. W. Blunt
Date: 1844-1857
Accessories: handwritten tables and charts; carrying case; ball-and-socket joint
Object number: 5187
Henry Winter
Date: circa 1850
Accessories: carrying case; leather bag; tripod (5186b)
Object number: 5186a
William J. Young
Date: 1840-1855
Accessories: carrying case
Object number: 5190
William J. Young
Date: 1820-1840
Accessories: ball-and-socket joint; carrying case
Object number: 5189
H. M. Pool & Brothers
Date: 1853-1858
Accessories: belt grip; dial cover plate; lifter arm; carrying case
Object number: 5188
George Adams (I)
Date: 1750-1772
Accessories: carrying case; cover plate (missing)
Object number: DW0687
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
Charles Pool
Date: 1820-1835
Accessories: carrying case; ball-and-socket joint; extra needle; plumb bob; glass vial; brass plates
Object number: 5194
Chamberlain & Ritchie
Date: 1850-1854
Accessories: carrying case; tripod (5129b)
Object number: 5129a
See also/See also
