TESSERACT -- Antique Scientific Instruments -- Surveying and Drafting

A Miniature Theodolite from Paris

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MINIATURE BRASS AND COPPER THEODOLITE, French, c. 1830, finely signed "Huette a Paris," standing only 7" (18 cm) tall from bottom of staff mount to top of telescope. The upper assembly rotates in azimuth on a 4" diameter horizontal circle which is precision divided every half degree full circle, with twin one-arcminute verniers and an articulated scale magnifier. A copper-bodied (copper presumably to minimize magnetic disturbances) trough compass rotates with the assembly, and has twin magnetic declination scales divided ±0(0.5)20, and its own swiveling scale magnifier. The vertical semicircle is divided every one-third degree over the range 0±100, and is cut with external rack gearing. The telescope's motion in altitude is by pinion gear, with clamp, long tangent screw fine motion, and one-arcminute vernier. The telescope itself is reversible in its wyes, and gives inverted images. Condition is fine, the brass cleaned, and an auxiliary spirit level apparently lacking. A system of swing-away peep sights gives naked eye sighting parallel to the telescope axis.

We find only limited information about Huette; Nachet records him as working at what was possibly the former workshop of Canivet, and as being succeeded by Loiseau in 1841; Marcelin finds him at 75 quai de l'Horloge in Paris. (8317) $3400.

Massive Protractor by a Master, c. 1730

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MAGNIFICENT EIGHTEENTH CENTURY PROTRACTOR, English, c. 1730, signed "J. Crook Fecit." This very substantial brass protractor measures 10" (25 cm) in diameter, and is hand-divided each degree from -15 to +195. A rotating cursor has vernier division reading to five arcminutes, and has a beveled index line with splendid engraving to the supporter. The open center is ringed with a running-wheat-ear pattern. Condition is fine, the brass cleaned but not polished. Design and execution are exceptional. This little known maker was John Crooke (or Crook), working in London 1694 - 1757. Son of a carpenter, Crooke was apprenticed to one John Toogood, mathematical instrument maker, and is recorded as having had at least eight apprentices himself (see Clifton). Yet we have traced no other surviving instruments by him. (8257) $4800.

English Silver Calculating Rule

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A CLERIC'S THREE-FOLD SILVER LINEAR / LOGARITHMIC RULE, English, c. 1700. Opening to 12" (30 cm) overall, the rule is divided with four scales: "Inches in 8 Pt" divided to eighths of an English inch; "Inches in 10 Pt;" a wonderful "Inches in Pt" where each of the 12 inches is subdivided into the corresponding number of parts, from one part per inch, up to twelve parts per inch; and finally "Numbers" with a twice-10 scale proportional to the logarithms of the numbers. A finely engraved emblem shows the "Agnus Dei" Lamb of God symbol, replete with halo and bearing a cross and banner; this represents the risen Christ triumphant over sin and death, bearing the Banner of Victory. Condition is fine noting a very old repair to one hinge rivet. The numeral forms are all typically English of the late 17th / early 18th century. (8367) $2950.

American Convertible Surveying Instrument

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		THE "STERLING" CONVERTIBLE LEVEL, American, second quarter 20th century, signed "Warren-Knight Co., Philadelphia, U.S.A., Sterling, 3624, Patented Sept. 19, 1922." Standing 8" (20 cm) tall, and with a 13-1/4" (35 cm) long telescope (opening to 16-3/4" by racked focus and auxiliary sunshade), this sturdy instrument is made of brass with black enameled, natural, and plated finishes. The telescope, which focuses from about four feet to infinity, carries a long spirit level, and is removable from the horizontal wyes and mountable orthogonally, on hinged supports for the trunnions, to cover a limited range of elevation and depression. The base has an azimuthal scale divided every degree, with five-arcminute vernier, and has clamp, tangent screw, four-screw leveling system, and large internal thread for tripod. Condition is good with some wear, and a bend to the degree scale. Included is the original fitted case, rough from use.

Founded in 1912 by J. Henry Warren and Henry R. Knight, the company followed Izard-Warren, which in turn had followed Queen & Co., all with a history as important manufacturers of surveying instruments. The patent description states "Our present invention relates to a novel construction and arrangement of a convertible builder¹s level and transit... enabling the telescope to be supported at right angles to its normal position in trunnions or axles thus enabling the telescope to be elevated or depressed through an angle of at least 45 degrees above and below the horizontal. It further comprehends a novel construction of telescope supports wherein novel means are employed for closing them and novel means are employed for effecting their rotary adjustment...." (8325) $850.

Eighteenth Century Nuremberg Protractor

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EXCEPTIONAL PROTRACTOR WITH TRANSVERSAL INTERPOLATION, German, c. second quarter 18th century, signed "J.G. Pufchner fecit Norib." Made of brass, 5" (13 cm) in diameter, the protractor has main plate hand-divided every degree (0 - 180 - 0) and scribed with canted transversal lines crossing a series of concentric semicircles. There is a unique intersection every one-tenth degree. A rotating alidade has a corresponding readout scale, divided every six arcminutes. Condition is fine noting a couple of small nicks, and possible old repair to the rotation axis. Quality is very high, with beautiful engraving.

Johann Georg Puschner (and his son of the same name, apparently) worked as engraver and mechanical craftsman in 18th century Nuremberg, known for celestial globes produced with Doppelmayer. A Puschner planetarium / armillary sphere dated 1751 survives, and there is a 360° circular protractor with transversals and central compass in the collections of the Nuremberg Germanisches Museum. (8337) $2950.

Surveying Sighting "Sector"

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LONG-ARM SURVEYING INSTRUMENT, French, c. early 19th century, signed "Brevet, J. Dartois." Made of brass with an integral walnut case, the assembly measures 25-1/4" (64 cm) overall. Two brass arms carry removable string sights, with removable string-and-slit eye sight at the vertex. One arm has clampable rotation about this center, with readout against a full circle degree scale. An adjustable and clampable segment is divided with scales of "Vernier" and "Declinaison." The iron-reinforced base of the case has central thread for tripod mounting. The protective case cover is finely shaped to accommodate the sights. A most unusual instrument, in fine condition, by a maker not recorded in the standard references. (8242) $1450.

Dating from the Defeat of the Spanish Armada

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SIXTEENTH CENTURY LEVEL, PROBABLY FOR GUNNERY, Continental, signed "A. Pourtales, 1588." The level is of sturdy brass, 7-5/8" (19.5 cm) wide from foot to foot, and over 1/4" (7 mm) thick. An integral 90-degree arc is divided every degree 0 ± 45 and labeled every 5. There are distinctive early numeral shapes, in particular the z-shaped "2" and the slanted topless "5." The vertex is pierced for use with string and plumb bob. The arms are decorated with sinuous floral designs, engraved and punched. Surfaces have linear outlines throughout, and there seem to be small traces of gilding. The reverse is otherwise plain but for a preliminary scale division on the arc. Condition is good, the brass with a fine dark patina, noting nicks and a stress crack in the arc.

This is a splendid example of early level, probably made for setting elevation (or depression) of a cannon . Bion (1709) shows a similar level on the breech of a cannon, and various forms of gunner's level are illustrated by Bennett & Johnston (The Geometry of War, 1500 - 1750). The year 1588 is significant, signalling the defeat of the Spanish Armada (with its invasion fleet of 130 ships!) by the British.

It is difficult to pin down the maker; the name ³Pourtales² itself is widespread. In one name search, for example, we find a Count Albert Pourtales exploring the Wild West in the early 19th century. He was born in Paris, but a descendent of Huguenot refugees who had emigrated to Neufchatel (Prussia, now Switzerland) in 1720. His father served in the Prussian army, then for Napoleon, and finally for the Berlin court. The numeral shapes are another small clue to origin, the "2" form suggestive of a German origin. But more research needs to be done. A remarkable survival. (8277) $9800.

(Bion, 1709)

Seventeenth Century Gunnery Calculator

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EARLY ENGLISH GUNNER'S CALIPERS, late 17th century, brass with steel points, 6-7/8" (17.5 cm) tall, distinctively designed with its boot-shaped feet for both inside (cannon bore) and outside (ball diameter) use. It is hand engraved with various scales and with charming cuffed-hand pointers on both sides. An inch scale along the opened edge is divided from 0 to 12 by tenths. For inside use, there are calibrations giving cannon abbreviation (for Falcon, Saker, Whole-Culverin, etc.) and bore diameter as a function of opening of the arms. For outside use there are circular scales for direct readout of the cannon ball diameter in inches, ball weight, appropriate cannon name, etc. Condition is fine noting light oxidation.

This is a very early English form. Weaver (1995) finds that it predates his four standard forms, and he located but one example, that by Richard Whitehead dated 1691 (the earliest known English gunner's calipers). We note also the rare signed transitional one with adjustable feet, Tesseract Catalogue 56, Item 29. (8345) $8500.

Unusual Art Nouveau French Rule

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		ART NOUVEAU COMPENDIUM, French, c. 1900, signed "Henri Charles-Lavauzelle, Editeur Militaire, 10 rue Danton & 118 Bd. St. Germain, a Paris et a Limoges." This multipurpose "rule" is 7-1/4" (18 cm) long, made of shaped wood covered with printed and varnished paper, and set with magnifying lens, glazed compass, and calibrated opisometer for chart distances. Enhanced by beautiful Art Nouveau designs, the rule includes six metric chart reduction scales, a rectangular inclinometer (lacking plumb) with conversions to rise and fall, and tables for various French, Russian and English measures. In very fine condition, by an important late 19th / early 20th century publisher of military books and map. (7269) $350.

Sir Howard Douglas Quadrant

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RARE PATENTED "REFLECTING SECTOR", English, c.1840, signed "A. Rofs & Co., 33 Regent St., London." Measuring 5-1/2" (14 cm) overall, this unusual sighting / plotting instrument is made of brass. It is a direct plotting third-circle, designed rather like a sextant, with peepsight, half-silvered "horizon" mirror, index mirror, divided degree scale engraved on brass, and vernier reading to one arcminute. However the index / plotting arm moves not only the index mirror and vernier, but also, through a sliding linkage, the peepsight and horizon mirror. As a result, one can make instantaneous sightings on objects as much as 120 degrees apart, making this neither octant, nor sextant, nor quintant, nor quadrant, but sort of a direct plotting "tridant." The semicircular degree scale is connected to a 4" long linear plotting rule divided every ten units from 0 to 1000, with an interpolation grid divided every one unit. Condition is very fine, the brass retaining most of its original bright lacquer finish.

This instrument was the invention of Sir Howard Douglas of the Royal Military College at Farnham, as a combination of Hadley's quadrant and a protractor, enabling observed angles to be plotted directly, without having to read the angular scales. It is the first example of Douglas' instrument we have encountered by this maker, Andrew Ross & Co., in business under this name only from 1839 to 1842. (7289) $1850.

Defensive Dividers!

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WROUGHT IRON DIVIDERS / DAGGER, European 17th /18th century. Measuring 13-1/2" (34 cm) overall, this rather primitive pair of dividers is well constructed, with a five-leaf hinge with pommel knob, twin tapering arms, and double hilt. It has a good "heft" for use as a dagger. Condition is good, apparently all original, noting some pitting to the surface. The application of the hilt to dividers, making them into a significant close range weapon, is well documented. For example, one finds a rather formidable 16th century dagger / divider compendium in the Museo di storia della scienza in Florence, described by Bonelli and Settle. (7259) $2650.

Surveying Sighting "Sector"

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UNUSUAL CALIPERS / FOLDING RULE, French, 19th century, 7" (18 cm) overall (closed), of brass with iron fittings and end stops. The folding rule is divided from 0 to 12 French inches, by twelfths, and from 0 to 10 centimeters, by millimeters. The hinge center has a charming pierced iron six-pointed star, and the rule closes on shaped stellate designs. A sliding clampable cursor fits over the rule, forming outside calipers with readout in old and new (i.e., metric) measures. The cursor is pierced with a six-pointed star on one side, and with a "G" (for the maker), on the other. Condition is good noting some corrosion to the iron. We have seen only one other example of this folding combination, that clearly by the same maker, and in fact signed "Gillot." (8307) $1450.

Ohio Surveying Compass

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LARGE OHIO SURVEYING COMPASS, American, c. 1880, signed "T.F. Randolph, Cin., O." The thick main plate is 15-3/4" (40 cm) long, mounted with twin spirit levels, outkeeper adjustable 1-16, and 7" diameter glazed compass with simple face, silvered degree ring divided full circle every half-degree, and very finely crafted needle (blued, with horizontally flat center and vertically flat ends, set with steel pivot, brass hub, and balance adjustment for needle dip). Below is an outkeeper knob, a canted needle lifter knob, and large mounting fixture for staff or tripod. The outfit includes the 7-3/4" tall sight vanes, turned brass compass cover, and brass mounting peg. Parts are numbered "2" throughout. Condition is good; the instrument has been cleaned at some time, and now shows a bit of spotting. Included is the massive, probably later, walnut carrying case. This Ohio maker, Theodore F. Randolph (1829-1898), received a number of patents for surveying instrument inventions, his instruments winning numerous medals at industrial expositions in the 1850's, 60's and 70's. (8315) $1850.

Landmark Compass

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		CARTOGRAPHIC POCKET COMPASS, Swiss, c. early 20th century, the 2-1/4" (5.7 cm) diameter plated brass case nicely glazed, and fitted with printed paper under its own protective glass disk, with a raised counterbalanced blued needle. The paper shows the pivot centered on a map of Switzerland, with cities, surrounding countries, and directionals all labeled in French, and with the map scale specified "Echelle 1:8,000,000." The center is in the region of the highest mountains of the Swiss Alps, and from there the compass serves as the tourist's panoramic guide to distant landmarks. Most unusual, and in excellent condition. (8222) $425.

"New Pattern" Gunner's Perpendicular

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CANNON SCRIBE, English, late 18th century, signed in script "Adams, London." This 5" (13 cm) tall finely shaped instrument is made of brass with steel scribe and inset steel feet, and is set with a 3" long spirit level. Condition is good with light wear. In use the instrument is set level across a cannon, the scribe lowered and pushed, to mark the centerline for application of perpendicular sight or inclinometer. It was termed a "gunner's perpendicular" of the "new pattern" (i.e., with spirit level instead of plumb line). Millburn (2000) illustrates one signed "G. Adams" and two signed "Adams," the latter presumably Dudley. A good example. (8173) $2100.

Four-Vane Surveying Compass from Warsaw

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POLISH FOUR-VANE SURVEYING COMPASS, c. second half 19th century, finely signed on the silvered compass face "G. Gerlach w. Warszawie No. 84." Measuring 16" (41 cm) overall, this fine solidly made brass surveying compass has two folding vanes and two fixed vanes which mount from underneath. It is complete with the original carrying case and a large brass pin, but lacks the universal staff mount. Condition is very fine noting only a few spots to the original clear lacquer finish. The Gerlach firm was in business from 1816 to 1944. An 1884 catalogue proclaims G. Gerlach as the "Only Russian manufacturer of geodesic, mathematical, drawing and optical instruments," and lists his factory at 30 Tamka St. (his home) and the store at 2 Tchistaya St., Warsaw. (Warsaw was, of course, part of Russian Poland under the tzars at the time). A rare and very fine example of a Polish instrument. (8265) $4950.

Early Calipers by the "Pelican" Maker

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		UNUSUAL EARLY CALIPERS, Continental, c. 17th century, 3-1/2" (8.5 cm) tall, hand shaped of brass with finely applied curved iron legs. The calipers have three-leaf hinge, boldly cut geometric decoration on the brass, and stamped "pelican" maker's mark. The legs are shaped to measure outside dimensions of various solid shapes, e.g., gunnery balls. (8295) $750.

Demonstration, Experimentation & Calculation