trough variation compass
Datecirca 1830
Inventory NumberDW0526
ClassificationVariation Compass
Subject
Maker
Vincent-Jacques-Louis Chevalier
1770 - 1841
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensions2.4 × 14.5 × 7.5 cm (15/16 × 5 11/16 × 2 15/16 in.)
Material
DescriptionA rectangular needle in a walnut box with sliding cover. Under the needle is a paper rose and along the top and bottom two brief sections of silver degree scales, ranging about 25° on either side. The adjacent paper has its own scale, which aligns with the silver one but not fitting perfectly.
The glass cover over the nededle is held by small brass bezel. The cover has long brass strip on underside which operates compass lifter when cover is inserted.
The glass cover over the nededle is held by small brass bezel. The cover has long brass strip on underside which operates compass lifter when cover is inserted.
Signedlabel on underside of cover :VT CHEVALIER;
on compass rose: Ing.[enieur] Opn[ticien] Quai de l'Horologe
Curatorial RemarksThe paper compass rose was possibly cut down from larger full circle compass.
FunctionCompasses as this one might have been used with a plane table for surveying, for tracing lines parallel to the earth's magnetic field.
ProvenanceDavid Wheatland purchased from Saul Moskowitz (Historical Technology, Inc.), Marblehead, Massachusetts, December 18, 1979 (catalog 119, #131). Donated to CHSI 1985.
Jean-Louis-Jacques Baradelle
Date: circa 1775
Accessories: case
Object number: 7051
Charles-Louis Chevalier
Date: circa 1840
Accessories: 2 convertible objectives: 1, 2, 3 and 0,00,000; 2 oculars; simple magnifiers: 3 and 5, with support bracket; extension pillar; bull's eye stage condenser on jointed arm; forceps; 3 prepared slides; box of cover glasses; 1/100 mm stage micrometer; camera lucida; tall bell jar; padlock on chain; case with key; table of magnifications
Object number: 1079
Jean-Louis-Jacques Baradelle
Date: circa 1775
Accessories: None.
Object number: 7326
Jacques le Maire
Date: 1738
Accessories: case; plumb bob
Object number: 7416
Charles-Louis Chevalier
Date: circa 1833
Accessories: 1 convertible objective, unmarked; 2 oculars; bull's eye condenser on jointed arm; 4 prepared slides, 3 glass slides; wrapped paper with pityriasis versicolor; specimen list on a card; flat case in form of sliding drawer; key.
Object number: 1071a
Jacques Senecal
Date: circa 1680
Object number: 7389
Jacques Guerard
Date: mid 17th-late 17th Century
Object number: 7507