Surveyor's Vernier Compass

Description:

James Foster Jr. (1814-1873) began advertising as a mathematical and philosophical instrument maker in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1846. He showed his wares at several fairs sponsored by the Ohio Mechanics Institute in the 1850s. The rim of this surveyor's compass is graduated every 30 minutes. The vernier on the north arm is moved by rack and pinion, and reads to single minutes. There is a circular level on the south arm. The inscription reads "James Foster, Jr. Cincinnati, O."

Maker: Foster, Jr., James

Location: Currently not on view

Place Made: United States: Ohio, Cincinnati

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

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Credit Line: Indiana State University, Department of Physics

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: PH.337208Catalog Number: 337208Accession Number: 1979.0649

Object Name: Surveyor's Vernier Compass

Measurements: overall length: 15 in; 38.1 cmneedle: 5 1/2 in; 13.97 cmoverall: 9 1/2 in x 15 in x 6 3/8 in; 24.13 cm x 38.1 cm x 16.1925 cm

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a8-8aad-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_997225

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.