Surveyor's Vernier Compass

Description:

This compass is marked "B. Stancliffe - Philada Maker" and "Warranted." It has a variation arc on the north arm that extends 22 degrees to either side; the vernier is moved by rack and pinion and reads to 5 minutes. A spirit level is on the south arm. The signature refers to Benjamin Stancliffe (1782-1834) who was born in England, apprenticed with his uncle, John Stancliffe, a noted instrument maker in London, and worked for Edward Troughton making sophisticated geodetic instruments for the fledgling United States Coast Survey. Stancliffe then migrated to America, appearing in Philadelphia directories as early as 1817. In 1828 he went into partnership with his former apprentice, Edmund Draper. By 1832 Stancliffe was again in business on his own, advertising that he manufactured "all kinds of mathematical, optical, and philosophical instruments," including surveyor's compasses, theodolites, sextants, and quadrants.

Ref: Robert C. Miller, "Benjamin Stancliffe and His Successors: A Century of Mathematical Instrument Makers in Philadelphia," Rittenhouse 11 (1996): 1-13.

Maker: Stancliffe, Benjamin

Location: Currently not on view

Place Made: United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

See more items in: Medicine and Science: Physical Sciences, Surveying and Geodesy, Measuring & Mapping

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Related Publication: Rittenhouse

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: PH.336362Accession Number: 1977.0970Catalog Number: 336362

Object Name: Surveyor's Compass

Measurements: overall length: 14 1/8 in; 35.8775 cmneedle: 5 in; 12.7 cmoverall in case: 4 in x 16 1/2 in x 8 3/16 in; 10.16 cm x 41.91 cm x 20.79625 cm

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a5-8e52-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_745754

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