Iszard-Warren Y level
Datecirca 1910
Inventory Number5150a
ClassificationSurveyor's Level
Subject
Maker
Iszard-Warren Co., Inc.
fl. 1908 - 1913
Repaired by
Buff & Buff Manufacturing Company
1898 - 1982
User
Department of Engineering Sciences, Harvard University
founded circa 1918
User
Harvard Engineering Camp
founded 1901
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Place of Use
Dimensionslevel: 23.5 × 13 × 46.4 cm (9 1/4 × 5 1/8 × 18 1/4 in.)
case: 25 × 50.2 × 16.6 cm (9 13/16 × 19 3/4 × 6 9/16 in.)
case: 25 × 50.2 × 16.6 cm (9 13/16 × 19 3/4 × 6 9/16 in.)
Material
Accessoriesmahogany case with brass corners and lock; key missing; leather strap; screwdriver; dust cover; sunshade; tripod, see 5150b
DescriptionBrass Y level with gunmetal finish consisting of the following major components (from top to bottom): telescope tube in two Y supports; spirit level; foot plate with four leveling screws.
The telescope tube has a knurled eyepiece. Clamped around the tube are two brass rings that protect the tube from contact with the Y supports. Clamped around the tube between the eyepiece and the nearest Y support is a third ring, from which four brass pins project. Bolted to the top of the tube between these is a single knurled knob.
Each Y support is held closed by a brass pin having a knurled knob at one end. A piece of string threaded through each knob ties it to the respective end of the level bar. projecting below the level bar under one Y support is a circular scale for fine adjustment.
A spirit level is suspended from two brass posts projecting down from the telescope tube. The spirit level has a single oval glass window. Printed on the window is a scale with values descending from 18 to 0, then ascending from 0 to 18. The inner and outer portions of the spirit level tube appear to have different finishes.
Below the level bar is a circular foot plate with with knurling around its edge. Four leveling screws project down from a star-shaped brass piece bolted around the vertical spindle before coming to rest on the foot plate. Around the center of each screw is a circular knurled knob.
Above the star-shaped brass piece, clamped around the vertical spindle, is a circular brass piece with one long arm. Projecting from the piece are two knurled knobs, one at the vertical spindle and one at the end of the arm.
The Y level is stored in a mahogany case with brass corners. Also in the case are a sunshade and dust cover.
See also the tripod for this level, 5150b.
The telescope tube has a knurled eyepiece. Clamped around the tube are two brass rings that protect the tube from contact with the Y supports. Clamped around the tube between the eyepiece and the nearest Y support is a third ring, from which four brass pins project. Bolted to the top of the tube between these is a single knurled knob.
Each Y support is held closed by a brass pin having a knurled knob at one end. A piece of string threaded through each knob ties it to the respective end of the level bar. projecting below the level bar under one Y support is a circular scale for fine adjustment.
A spirit level is suspended from two brass posts projecting down from the telescope tube. The spirit level has a single oval glass window. Printed on the window is a scale with values descending from 18 to 0, then ascending from 0 to 18. The inner and outer portions of the spirit level tube appear to have different finishes.
Below the level bar is a circular foot plate with with knurling around its edge. Four leveling screws project down from a star-shaped brass piece bolted around the vertical spindle before coming to rest on the foot plate. Around the center of each screw is a circular knurled knob.
Above the star-shaped brass piece, clamped around the vertical spindle, is a circular brass piece with one long arm. Projecting from the piece are two knurled knobs, one at the vertical spindle and one at the end of the arm.
The Y level is stored in a mahogany case with brass corners. Also in the case are a sunshade and dust cover.
See also the tripod for this level, 5150b.
Signedengraved on instrument (script): Iszard-Warren Co / Sterling / Phila., U.S.A.;
diamond shaped plaque on case lid: BUFF / TRADE MARK
Inscribedengraved on case in white: Y. LEVEL / 22;
engraved on case in black: PROPERTY OF / HARVARD COLLEGE / 22L;
on side of case in white: 22 / WN.;
"Iszard-Warren Co. Sterling Philadelphia, U. S. A."
orange tag: HARVARD ENG. CAMP / (crossed out) ASHLAND, N.H. / (pencil, unclear) 61/21 / (in blue handwritten) Center Harbor, / N.H.;
label affixed to inside of case lid: SURVEYING INSTRUMENTS / NEW AND SECOND HAND / BOUGHT, SOLD AND REPAIRED / BLACK LINE AND BLUE PRINTS / BLUE AND BLACK PROCESS PAPERS AND CLOTH / DRAWING MATERIALS / B.L. MAKEPEACE / 387 WASHINGTON STREET, BOSTON;
Makepeace label has some pencil strike marks and the following: Rep. Apr. 16 - 14.
Curatorial RemarksIt is unclear whether B. L. Makepeace Inc. sold, or instead repaired, the instrument.
Key to the case missing.
Tag: no sharp focus.
This is level 22 in a series of at least twelve levels once belonging to Harvard's Department of Engineering. (CHSI has levels numbered 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 12, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24.);
FunctionFor use in surveying, to measure contours.
After placing the Y level on a tripod (see 5150b) at his starting location, the user levels the instrument by means of the spirit level and the leveling screws. Then he sights a stadia rod through the telescope, moving the rod as needed until the target is centered behind the telescope's cross hairs. The difference in height between the telescope and the rod target indicates the gain in elevation over the horizontal distance between the two.
After placing the Y level on a tripod (see 5150b) at his starting location, the user levels the instrument by means of the spirit level and the leveling screws. Then he sights a stadia rod through the telescope, moving the rod as needed until the target is centered behind the telescope's cross hairs. The difference in height between the telescope and the rod target indicates the gain in elevation over the horizontal distance between the two.
ProvenanceDepartment of Engineering, Harvard University, level 22. Received October 1961. No Harvard University tag.
Frederick Eckel
Date: circa 1885
Accessories: mahogany case (top very worn); lens hood; sunshade; tripod, see 5151b
Object number: 5151a
Buff & Berger
Date: circa 1890
Accessories: mahogany case with lock (key not found); leather strap; screwdriver; dust cover; sunshade; tripod, see 5149b
Object number: 5149a
Keuffel & Esser Company
Date: circa 1909
Accessories: mahogany case with brass corner protectors and lock; key; sunshade; dust cover; tripod (5147b)
Object number: 5147a
C. L. Berger & Sons
Date: circa 1902
Accessories: pine case with lock (key not found); screwdriver; leather strap; sunshade; dust cover; tripod (see 5161b)
Object number: 5161a
James E. Moody
Date: circa 1880
Accessories: mahogany case; sunshade; dust cap; tripod (5141b)
Object number: 5141a
Buff & Berger
Date: circa 1880
Accessories: mahogany case; sunshade; screws; dust cover
Object number: 5143a
John H. Temple
Date: circa 1870
Accessories: mahogany case; sunshade; tripod (5142b)
Object number: 5142a
Buff & Berger
Date: circa 1880
Accessories: mahogany case; sunshade; screws; dust cover; tripod (5144b)
Object number: 5144a
Troughton & Simms
Date: circa 1840
Accessories: mahogany box with brass handle; sun shade for telescope
Object number: 5234
Buff & Buff Manufacturing Company
Date: circa 1938
Accessories: sunshield; mahogany box with brass hinges and hooks; brass butterfly nut
Object number: 1989-1-0025
Peter & John Dollond
Date: 1780-1800
Accessories: mahogany box with brass hooks, hinges, and handle; tripod (see 5240b)
Object number: 5240a
R. Iseli
Date: circa 1880
Accessories: walnut case with two adjustment tools, objective lens cap, and lens shade; Iseli trade card (inside box lid)
Object number: 5229
See also/See also
