transit
Date1870-1875
Inventory Number5165a
ClassificationSurveyor's Transit
Subject
Maker
William J. Young & Sons
1870 - 1875
User
Lawrence Scientific School
1847 - 1906
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Place of Use
Dimensionstransit: 28.5 × 20.5 × 29.5 cm (11 1/4 × 8 1/16 × 11 5/8 in.)
case: 33.1 × 24.3 × 32.7 cm (13 1/16 × 9 9/16 × 12 7/8 in.)
case: 33.1 × 24.3 × 32.7 cm (13 1/16 × 9 9/16 × 12 7/8 in.)
Material
Accessoriescarrying case; dust cap; sunshade; leather belt strap; tripod (5165b)
DescriptionThis instrument is made entirely of brass. The telescope has one focusing knob and a bubble level is fixed under it. The telescope itself is supported by two inverted-V columns and moves vertically, its position measured by a graduated circle. A vernier provides precision readings.
The whole structure can also rotate on a central axis. A graduated circle and two verniers provide precision readings. In the center there is a compass and also two bubble levels, positioned perpendicularly to each other. The instrument, finally, is supported by a base made of four leveling screws. The base is fixed on a tripod.
When not in use, the instrument is stored in a mahogany case, with a Young & Sons label glued inside. Accessories are also stored inside.
The whole structure can also rotate on a central axis. A graduated circle and two verniers provide precision readings. In the center there is a compass and also two bubble levels, positioned perpendicularly to each other. The instrument, finally, is supported by a base made of four leveling screws. The base is fixed on a tripod.
When not in use, the instrument is stored in a mahogany case, with a Young & Sons label glued inside. Accessories are also stored inside.
Signedon instrument: Wm. J. Young & Sons
Curatorial RemarksThe date is approximated from the serial number found on the instrument (4640). For more information, see the following <a href="http://www.surveyhistory.org/how_old_is_my_young_&_sons.htm" target="_blank">website</a>.
ProvenanceFrom the Department of Engineering, Harvard University.
Historical AttributesThe "LSS" mark indicates it was used by the people of the Lawrence Scientific Shool, which later became Harvard University's engineering deparment and shool of applied science.
W. & L. E. Gurley
Date: circa 1910
Accessories: carrying case; dust cap; small tool; sunshade; key; plumb bob chain; tripod (5176b)
Object number: 5176a
Frederic W. Lincoln Jr. & Company
Date: circa 1880
Accessories: carrying case; sunshade; dust cap; tripod (5164b)
Object number: 5164a
Buff & Buff Manufacturing Company
Date: circa 1910
Accessories: carrying case; sunshades (2); dust cap; trivet; tripod (5177b)
Object number: 5177a
Fauth & Company
Date: 1874-1905
Accessories: bubble level
Object number: 1997-1-1808
William Cary
Date: 1789-1825
Accessories: small eyepiece (box)
Object number: 5230a
Buff & Buff Manufacturing Company
Date: circa 1905
Accessories: wood case; leather case; right-angle prism; plumb bob; oil flask; tripod (5174b)
Object number: 5174a
W. & L. E. Gurley
Date: ca. 1884
Accessories: solar attachment; case; level; green filter; sun shade; tripod (5163b)
Object number: 5163a
Bausch & Lomb Optical Company
Date: circa 1910
Accessories: carrying case; dust caps (2); sunshades (2); extra eyepiece; tripod (5170b)
Object number: 5170a
Stackpole and Brother
Date: circa 1885
Accessories: carrying case; dust cap; tripod (5168b)
Object number: 5168a
John H. Temple
Date: 1850-1870
Accessories: carrying case; dust cap; leather straps; tripod (5166b)
Object number: 5166a
Heller & Brightly
Date: circa 1908
Accessories: carrying case; plumb bob; tripod (5167b)
Object number: 5167a
See also/See also
