We want to help you sell your quality Antiques in this Category.
If you have a collection of similar antiques and want further info please see our FAQ page, the Appraisal / Selling Page and the Selling Your Collection Pages for further info.
Antique Surveying Compass Sales Archive
Roach & Warner Surveyors Compass This
surveyor's compass dates from the early to mid 1800's and is in very nice
original condition. Roach is a well known but relatively rare maker
who started out his instrument making career on the East Coast in New York
after he came here from Ireland. He started out in the mid 1830's or
so in a partnership with Warner, and that is how this instrument is
marked. By 1850 or so he was listed in the directories of San
Francisco as an instrument maker. He was soon the best known and
largest maker on the west coast. I also have a large surveying transit made by him
that is offered elsewhere on these pages.
This compass is in very nice condition exhibiting
large amounts of its original finish. It appears that one vial has
been refilled as the two have different color vials. .
The labels inside the top indicate that this instrument was at one time in
the Boston area being worked on or adjusted by the Leder and Probst firm
from there. Another tag says it was purchased from them in 1919, and
then that fellow gave it to the next owner in 1959. The original
Roach & Warner label is still here as well giving the location of 292
Broadway New York. The compass measures just under 16" overall, and
the compass face is approx 6 3/4" with the needle being 6".
The compass face is very nicely engraved with a floral and vine motif.
The ball and socket mount for the Jacob staff is also present. A
rare and desirable instrument in condition not typically found. Excellent
............$
Frye
& Shaw Surveyors Compass This
surveyor's compass dates from the mid 1800's and is in super original
condition.
There is a nice bio at the Smithsonian site found Here:
http://americanhistory2.si.edu/collections/surveying/object.cfm?recordnumber=745994
Excellent
............$SOLD!
Below is biographical information from the
Smithsonian site. 
Gregg
& Rupp Surveyors Compass This
surveyor's compass dates from the mid 1800's and is in super original
condition. The dovetailed box is original and very nice as
well. It will make a great display
piece. Very nice!
Levi
Colton Surveyors Compass This
surveyor's compass dates from the mid 1800's and is in super original
condition. Colton began his career in Washington, and then moved to
New York and finally Connecticut. This one is nicely engraved in the
New York style of the period. It is complete and in very nice
original condition. The dovetailed box is original and very nice as
well. It is smaller than typically seen and will make a great display
piece. Very nice!
Excellent ............$SOLD
ColtonLevi Colton (1803-1885) was born in Massachusetts, and trained as a jeweler and silversmith. He may have learned the art of instrument making from Richard Patten, for whom he worked in Washington, D.C. in 1846, and who described him as “a quite steady and industrious man.” Around 1850 Colton was making compasses in New York City, and in the mid-1850s he was making compasses in Hartford, Connecticut.
William
Young & Sons Compass w/ Auxiliary Scope Serial # 4798
This is a wonderfully graphic piece of Early Americana
and American Technology which dates from approx 1876 and the era of the
American Centennial. William Young was the first American instrument maker to
own a dividing engine which he designed and built himself. He is also
credited with designing the first American Transit. By the time this
instrument was made one of his sons, Alfred had taken over the company, and it
was right around this time that they fist began marking their instruments
Young and Sons. This early and famous firm was located in Philadelphia,
producing a quality line of instruments right up until they were acquired by
Keuffel and Esser around
1918. Even then K & E continued to offer a separate line of instruments with
the young name so as to maintain that customer base which had been built up
over the years.
This compass is
approx 16" long, and the compass measures 6" with a 5 1/2 inch needle which
operates just fine. The level vials are all full and appear to be original.
The optics of the 7 1/2" rare auxiliary scope are clear and bright. There is
one decorative small brass cover missing over the vernier adjust on the right
hand side up against the compass. This can be seen in one of the pics. It is
minor and does not affect operation. The sight vanes are both present and
nice. The box has classic dovetail joints from the period and in general is
very nice.
Excellent ............$SOLD
Randolph's
1879 Patent Surveyors Telescopic Level Theodore
Randolph was a well known instrument maker in Ohio during his working period
from roughly 1850 to near the turn of the century. He won several awards at
exhibitions and first drew a patent for this style of telescopic compass in
1879. Randolph was born, raised, and operated his business in Cincinnati Ohio
from the mid 1800's to just before the turn of the century. This instrument
has a detachable telescope that can be removed. The optics are good / clear,
and the compass is operational. The level vials are full and appear to be
original. The silvered Vernier is nice, and the keeper works as well. This
piece was cleaned a long time ago and has a nice mellow look to it after years
of aging. A nice piece from a hard to find maker that will make a very nice
display.
Excellent ..... $SOLD