North America Archives - Page 8 of 14

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A literally unique set of 33 hand-painted magic lantern slides, dated 1903, and signed by John V. Yarnall. In addition, there is a curious series of 11 silhouette slides manufactured by T.H. McAllister (“Manuf’g Optician, 49 Nassau St, New York”). Apart from the date when he was working, and the fact that he was an American, we know nothing about Varnall. There are four groups of Yarnall slides. One, with a stereotypical racist theme, deals with the misadventures of Read More...

07 Jun

Very Nice Fauth Alidade – Circa 1902 – U.S. Reclamation Service (USRS)

By The Compleat Surveyor

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This is a very nice Fauth Alidade made by George Saegmuller for the United States Reclamation Service. The USRS was formed in 1902, and I suspect this instrument was made within a few years of the formation. The telescope is 13.5 inches long and has GREAT optics. The image is inverted, which allows more light to come thru the scope. The trade-off, of course, is that the image is upside down. I didn’t see any crosshairs in the scope. The Alidade has a base Read More...

02 Jun

Five Miniature Pilling & Son Medical Instruments

By M and R Gordon

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G.P. Pilling and Son was established in Philadelphia by George P. Pilling in 1854.The firm went on to become a major manufacturer of medical instruments and remains in operation today, in an amalgamated form, having been acquired by Teleflex in 1991. In the early 20th century their forte was stethoscopes and endoscopic equipment, especially those endoscopic instruments designed by Chevalier Jackson. They also produced a number of miniature instruments and often boxed them with a clever saying on the inside of Read More...

19 May

Esmarch WW1-Era Anesthesia Kit

By M and R Gordon

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Esmarch WW1-era anesthesia kit. Quoting from the Wood Library site: “German surgeon Friedrich von Esmarch (1823-1908) introduced this inhaler in 1877. Cloth was stretched over the wire frame, providing a large surface for evaporation. Chloroform was dripped onto the cloth until the latter became saturated. More chloroform could be added as the agent evaporated. At the same time, the frame keeps the soaked cloth from touching the patient’s face, preventing skin irritation. Packed together with a chloroform flask, gauze and Read More...

10 May

Ainsworth Solar Transit – S/N 2946 – Nice Condition – Circa 1915

By The Compleat Surveyor

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This is a really neat circa 1915 Ainsworth Solar Compass. Ainsworth had a unique approach to attaching a Saegmueller Solar unit to a transit. Ainsworth would modify a Saegmueller solar unit to fit on a mining transit designed for a second scope and counterweight (like Berger used). I’ve asked around and Ainsworth was apparently the only maker who took this approach. Note that the counterweight loop is only a half loop. I have no idea what that’s about – Read More...

07 May

Nathan Storrs Plain Compass and Matching Tripod – Circa 1795

By The Compleat Surveyor

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Nathan Storrs was born in Mansfield, Connecticut in 1768. Nathan’s family engaged in jewelry making, silver-smithing, and other related activities. In 1792, he formed a partnership with Samuel Stiles as Stiles & Storrs. This partnership quickly dissolved and in 1792 Nathan joined Jedidah Baldwin in business as Baldwin & Storrs. This partnership lasted until 1793 when Baldwin moves to Hanover, NH. After that Storrs operated on his own for the most part. Nathan Storrs had perhaps the broadest range of engraving Read More...

06 May

Small Lietz Mining Transit – Nice Condition – Circa 1925

By The Compleat Surveyor

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One of my favorite things about this little instrument – Lietz made the instrument so that it lays in its box rather than stands upright. A very cool feature in my opinion. The optics on both scopes are good, with all cross and stadia hairs present (only the main scope has stadia hairs). The caps and sunscreens are present as well. The transit comes complete with its box and tripod, as shown below. Lietz Model 12 Mountain and Mining Transits that have Read More...

06 May

Oscar Hanks Bow Compass – Circa Early 1840s

By The Compleat Surveyor

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There are very few truly American designed instruments; the bow instruments are unique to the patentee, Julius and his son Oscar Hanks, who manufactured instruments in Troy NY during the mid 19th century. The silvered compass dial is signed by engraving, “O. Hanks Troy NY.” The instrument stands over an impressive 19″ tall on a lathe-turned stand. The bow is over 11″ in diameter and the needle is approximately 5.25″ in length. The button-weighted Hanks needle is a very unique Read More...

19 Mar

ORIGINAL TINTYPE PHOTO OF SURVEYING CREW

By TESSERACT

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ORIGINAL TINTYPE PHOTO OF SURVEYING CREW, American, c.1880. Measuring 2-1/4″ x 3-1/2″ (5.7 x 8.9 cm) , this outdoor tintype shows a full party of five relatively well-dressed men, including the bearded axe man with his gold watch chain, sitting on a bundle of wood stakes, the transit man with his well-polished shoes, protecting his instrument, a very young rod man with long banded rod, and two supervisors(?), one wearing a remarkable multiple tie. Despite some creases to the Read More...

13 Mar

An Example of the Locke Adder First Patent 24 December 1901

By Fletcher

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An attractive example of Art Nouveau designed Locke Adder. Invented by Clarence Locke (1865-1945) this is the first patent which was improved by a second in 1905. This was the first American adder to enjoy commercial success. For more information ssee nzeldes.com. In good working order, possibly missing felt cover to base. Read More...

27 Jan

Joslins 12” terrestrial table globe

By Hansord Antiques

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A good example of a Joslins of Boston, USA terrestrial table globe in original condition Read More...

13 Dec

Rare 19th-Century Trade Card for Chicago Scale Co.

By M and R Gordon

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A rare trade card for Chicago Scale Company. They were in business between 1863 and 1914 and at the address on the card between 1882-96. 5.5″x3″. The card is beige and the graphics are medium green. Read More...