surveyor's compass
Date1850-1854
Inventory Number5129a
ClassificationSurveyor's Compass
Subject
Maker
Chamberlain & Ritchie
fl. 1850 - 1854
Seller
Charles Gedney King
1808 - 1858
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
DimensionsWithout Sights: 7.5 × 37 × 14 cm (2 15/16 × 14 9/16 × 5 1/2 in.)
Case: 10 × 41 × 17.5 cm (3 15/16 × 16 1/8 × 6 7/8 in.)
Case: 10 × 41 × 17.5 cm (3 15/16 × 16 1/8 × 6 7/8 in.)
Material
Accessoriescarrying case; tripod (5129b)
DescriptionAll brass instrument with two removable sighting vanes. Both have a narrow slit and circular apertures. There are two bubble levels, one on each arm positioned at a right angle and forming a "T", to level in both axes of the horizontal plane.
The silvered dial's face has eight cardinal points, with a fleur-de-lys for identifying North. Degrees are engraved on the raised scale (0-90°-0-90°), divided in half degrees, marked every five and numbered by tens. The needle is suspended by a jewelled steel point. The brass lifter arm is operated from underneath the instrument. The instrument is supported by a ball-and-socket joint and a tripod.
When not in use, the instrument is stored in a mahogany box, which has a glued label inside from another firm, Charles Gedney King. Perhaps the latter was the seller of this instrument.
The silvered dial's face has eight cardinal points, with a fleur-de-lys for identifying North. Degrees are engraved on the raised scale (0-90°-0-90°), divided in half degrees, marked every five and numbered by tens. The needle is suspended by a jewelled steel point. The brass lifter arm is operated from underneath the instrument. The instrument is supported by a ball-and-socket joint and a tripod.
When not in use, the instrument is stored in a mahogany box, which has a glued label inside from another firm, Charles Gedney King. Perhaps the latter was the seller of this instrument.
Signedon dial: Chamberlin & Richie, / Boston
on label, inside box: C. G. KING / MANUFACTURER & IMPORTER OF / Mathematical and Egineering Instruments, / No. 7 BROAD ST. (3D STORE FROM STATE ST.) / BOSTON
Curatorial RemarksNote the different spellings of both makers' names in the signature of this instrument.
A blue painted triangle is found on the instrument and its case, which usually means it was used in the physics' department at Harvard University.
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 type of intrument, see the following website.
For a nice discussion of this type of intrument, see the following website.
ProvenanceFrom the Jefferson Laboratory, Harvard University.
Samuel Thaxter & Son
Date: 1822-1831
Accessories: protective cushioned cloth; carrying case; ball-and-socket joint
Object number: 5180
H. M. Pool & Brothers
Date: 1853-1858
Accessories: belt grip; dial cover plate; lifter arm; carrying case
Object number: 5188
William J. Young
Date: 1820-1840
Accessories: ball-and-socket joint; carrying case
Object number: 5189
William J. Young
Date: 1840-1855
Accessories: carrying case
Object number: 5190
E. & G. W. Blunt
Date: 1844-1857
Accessories: handwritten tables and charts; carrying case; ball-and-socket joint
Object number: 5187
J. Pool & Company
Date: circa 1850
Accessories: carrying case
Object number: 5200
H. M. Pool & Brothers
Date: circa 1845
Accessories: tripod (5197b)
Object number: 5197a
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
Charles Gedney King
Date: circa 1840
Accessories: tripod (5198b)
Object number: 5198a
See also/See also
