Description

Doubly engraved “Kirkwall Invenit” and “Bate, London”, this custom designed simple theodolite was made for plane table surveying. Sitting on an 8 x 3 inch brass plinth with four levelling screws and four bevelled, silvered and engraved alignment arrows ( 2 cut outs in base), it is surmounted by an A frame geared telescope in two parts, for storage. 80% original golden lacquer (light spotty wear to top of the scope), the optics are superb and adjusted manually by draw tube focussing on the main barrel (object) and eyepiece tubes (15 inch total length extended). One inch diameter object lens with protective lens cap. Cross hairs absent but could be replaced (will include a black horse hair). All screws intact and without bruising. The rack and pinion motion of the scope is accomplished by a square key with round knurled head (stored in box along with a steel pin for tightening of components-never used). The motion is tight and sure with demarcations for degrees upward to 45 and downward to 20 with vernier below-see photos). There are two bubble levels (intact) set perpendicular to each other, one on the plinth (2 inch) and the other under the scope barrel (5 inch). This instrument has seen little use and was designed for surveying from a stable, square plane table. The instrument stands 5 inches tall.  Original mahogany case measuring 10 x 6 x 4 inches with trade label for Bate at 17 Poultry Lane, London c.1810. It has the original lock and key and both eared hooks intact.

The body tube is engraved with the crown of a Viscount, oak tree and motto “THROUGH” with coat of arms of the Hamilton Family. John Hamilton FitzMaurice, Viscount Kirkwall (1778-1820) was a British politician with a penchant for surveying and aspirations of military service (Army or Navy, although could find NO service record-others of the lineage did serve in both the UK and  America). He was the Viscount of Orkney, Scotland. Later and related members of the family (George) went on to found such places as Hamilton, Ontario, Canada (about an hour away from me) and Hamilton, NJ. The famed bastard child Alexander Hamilton made many a mark for himself in the US under and in Washington. Time periods ranged through Revolutionary Wars (1772-1812). 

The motto “THROUGH” had been shortened from “THROUGH COURAGE” over time within the Hamilton family. I would however suggest that the rest of the motto is intact on the lower side of the scope barrel. obscured during construction of the instrument. Verification impossible without disassembling the instrument.

Robert Brettell Bate was one of the finest instrument makers of his time and was at the Poultry Lane address from 1808-1828. He acquired most of his wealth from making hydrometers (inherited) for the Government (later taken over by Sikes).

In 1891, a previous owner approached  William Archbutt for an appraisal/ research of the instrument and there is a hand written, signed note by the founder in the box noting what he found of the lineage and construction of the instrument. He was obviously duly impressed, making this piece the one to own for the collector of fine surveying instruments.