Sets of Drawing Instruments -- Box & Magazine Cases

Set of Drawing Instruments Signed Weickert of Leipzig

Description

By the 17th century, makers of scientific instruments collected together a range of tools useful for making drawings in surveying, navigation, architecture, and engineering and sold these collections as sets in cases. Sets of drawing instruments allow modern observers to examine a variety of drawing instruments—such as dividers, compasses, pens, rulers, and protractors—at one time. They also provide a sense of what makers and practitioners thought someone starting to work in one of these fields needed in order to be successful.

Marks on the proportional dividers and calipers indicate that the workshop of J. D. Weickert of Leipzig, Germany, manufactured this set. This firm, later known for making felt for piano hammers, was established in 1783 and remains in business as of 2013 (as Filzfabrik Wurzen). The style and condition of the multilayered case suggest the set was made no later than the mid-19th century. The donor received this set of instruments from a distant relative, Gunther Mathies, who emigrated from Germany in the early 20th century and worked for the Thomaston Clock Company in Connecticut.

Two semicircular brass protractors are inside the lid of this plain wooden case lined with pink felt. The handle is missing from the case, and one hinge is broken. The first protractor is hand-divided to single degrees and numbered in both directions by tens from 10 to 180. Underneath the left side of the arc is marked: R. 1/4 F. A plotting scale with a diagonal scale at the left is on the base of the instrument. The second protractor is divided to quarter-degrees and numbered in both directions by tens from 10 to 180. A movable arm with an adjustable blade is attached around the origin point. Two plotting scales are on the base of the instrument. One is marked: Paris.Zoll. The other is marked: Rheinb.Zoll.

Both layers of the case have empty spaces for instruments and instruments that do not fit properly into their spaces, suggesting that parts of the set have been lost or replaced. All of the instruments are brass and steel. The first layer has an L-shaped set square; two screws and a hinge that were originally attached to the case lid; three joint tighteners; and a drawing pen. A pair of dividers has rotating legs with pen and pencil points at the other ends. There are two more pairs of dividers, one with one point removed and stored separately in the case. Two pen points, one pencil point, and a leg extension do not appear to fit the instruments in the case. Bow dividers and three-legged dividers are also on this layer.

The second layer has a narrow (2-1/2" wide) beam compass with a handle; an elliptical trammel; calipers attached to a 6-5/8" rule; and proportional dividers. The rule has scales for German and French inches on one side. This side is also marked: J. D. Weickert in Leipzig. The other side has scales for English inches and for units of 5/16". The second scale is marked: Circum. Verniers are on both edges of the rule, next to the calipers. The proportional dividers are heavily tarnished. One side has scales for polygons and straight lines. That side is also marked: Weickert in Leipzig.

References: Maya Hambly, "Cases of Drawing Instruments," in Drawing Instruments, 1580–1980 (London: Sotheby's, 1988), 150–193; "History of the Felt Factory," http://www.filzfabrik-wurzen.de/de/51/company/history/.

Location

Currently not on view

date made

1783-ca 1850

maker

Weickert, J. D.

ID Number

1984.1070.01

catalog number

1984.1070.01

accession number

1984.1070

Data Source

National Museum of American History

Set of Drawing Instruments

Description

This small set of silver instruments includes a pair of dividers with one removable point. This may be replaced by a pen point, pencil point, and dotting pen point that are also in the set. Inside the fixed leg of the dividers is marked: KB KB. A small pencil-lead holder (probably not original to the set) and a double-ended crayon holder are also in the case. The crayon holder is hollow and has two sliding rings for locking the crayons into place.

The mahogany case is lined with green velvet. A silver presentation plaque on the lid is marked in Dutch: Eerste eer prys (/) van het genoodschap (/) onder de Zinspreuk (/) HIER DOOR DOT HOOGER (/) Gegeeve aan Jan Nagtegael (/) ROTTERDAM (/) ANNO 1786. According to Jacques van Damme, the inscription can be roughly translated as: "The first prize for honors from the Society with the motto 'Here through to higher,' given to Jan Nagtegael [Nightingale], Rotterdam, in the year 1786." The Smithsonian acquired this object in 1960.

Reference: Maya Hambly, Drawing Instruments, 1580–1980 (London: Sotheby's, 1988), 39–40.

Location

Currently not on view

date made

1786

ID Number

MA.317357

accession number

230279

catalog number

317357

Data Source

National Museum of American History

Set of Drawing Instruments

Description

This polished wooden case is lined with green satin and velvet and is fastened with two brass hooks. It holds ten brass and steel drawing instruments and attachments:

1) A 5-3/4" pair of dividers with a leg that may be removed by loosening two screws.

2) A 5-1/2" pair of dividers with a leg removed by loosening one thumbscrew. The point on the other leg is broken.

3) Two drawing pens (2-5/8" and 1-3/4") with short brass handles.

4) A 2-3/8" pricker.

5) A 4" extension bar that can be inserted into the second pair of dividers.

6) Pen and pencil points that fit the second pair of dividers.

7) A 3-3/4" compass with only one leg and a pen point that fits this compass.

Because they fit snugly in the case and have matching blue screws, both pairs of dividers, the pen and pencil points for the second pair of dividers, the compass and pen point, and the shorter drawing pen are likely original to the set. The Smithsonian acquired this object in 1960. It probably dates to the early 19th century.

Location

Currently not on view

date made

early 19th century

ID Number

MA.317358

accession number

230279

catalog number

317358

Data Source

National Museum of American History

Set of Drawing Instruments

Description

This wooden case is covered with black leather, lined with purple velvet, and fastened by a brass hook. Pieces of chamois and paper lie inside the case. The paper is marked: Andreas Fruth. (/) Speyer, Inw 18./5. 1866. The set includes a 5-1/4" brass and steel drawing pen with ivory handle; a small white ceramic cup, presumably for ink; 4-1/8" brass and steel dividers with a removable leg and pen and pencil attachments; and a brass joint tightener.

Andreas Fruth (1849–1931), the grandfather of the donor, was born and raised in Speyer, Germany. He immigrated to the United States in 1868 and operated the Filsinger & Fruth Marble and Granite Works, which made cemetery monuments in St. Louis, Mo., from 1872 to 1922. He married Caroline Brandenburger in 1873 and raised three children, Otto, Herman, and Hilda. For a set of drawing instruments owned by Otto, see 1990.0115.02.

References: Staatsarchiv Hamburg, Hamburg Passenger Lists, 1850–1934, microfilm no. K–1721, 373-7 I, VIII A 1 Band 032 C, p. 676; John W. Leonard, ed., The Book of St. Louisans (St. Louis: The St. Louis Republic, 1906), 190, 207; Fruth Family, Papers, 1862–1920s, Missouri History Museum, http://collections.mohistory.org/archive/ARC:A0537; accession file.

Location

Currently not on view

date made

1866

ID Number

1990.0115.01

catalog number

1990.0115.01

accession number

1990.0115

Data Source

National Museum of American History

Widdifield & Co. Set of Drawing Instruments

Description

This mahogany case is lined with blue satin and velvet. Its lock is broken. The satin lining folds out to reveal a pocket. There is also a removable mahogany tray. A German silver label on the lid is marked: H. M. Doane. The set was received in 1975 with the following instruments:

1) 6" ivory rectangular protractor divided to single degrees and numbered by tens in both directions from 10 to 170. The interior has scales for 1/8" 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 5/8", 3/4", 7/8", and 1 inch to the foot. The interior also has a scale of chords. The bottom edge has a scale of half-inches, divided to 1/20" and numbered by ones from 1 to 22. This side of the protractor is marked: WIDDIFIELD & CO 148 WASHINGTON ST BOSTON. The back of the protractor bears scales dividing the inch into 60, 50, 45, 40, 35, and 30 parts; and a plotting scale with diagonal scales at each end.

2) 6-1/4" clear plastic semicircular protractor divided to half-degrees and numbered by tens from 0 to 180.

3) 5-3/8" German silver and steel fixed-leg dividers.

4) German silver pen, pencil, and pricker leg attachments that are the correct length for the 5-3/8" dividers.

5) 4" German silver and steel dividers with a removable leg and swiveling handle.

6) 3-1/4" steel bow pencil with ivory handle.

7) Two German silver and ivory drawing pens, one 4-7/8" and one 5-3/8" long.

8) Two blue metal joint tighteners.

9) Ten pieces of black rubber imprinted with cream and blue Chinese characters and partial pictures of men, some blowing pipes. It is likely that these pieces originally formed one or two objects.

10) 3/4" round slice of cork.

Pieces of writing and tissue paper are in the bottom of the case. Circles have been drawn on the writing paper, which is marked: D. S. G. Doane (/) Cohasset. Another slip of paper cut out from an advertisement is marked: D. S. G. DOANE. Two empty slots in the case suggest that some of the original instruments in the set are missing.

Daniel Brown Widdifield (1800–1862) made spectacles and optical and mathematical instruments in Boston beginning in 1828. From 1838 through at least 1879, his firm was known as Widdifield & Co. Although the name remained the same, his sons (Daniel B. Jr. and George F.) operated the business by 1860. Around 1869, the firm moved from 146 Washington Street to 34 West Street. If the plastic protractor is original, it suggests a date closer to 1868 than to 1838. It is uncertain how many of the instruments were made in Widdifield's shop and how many were imported from Europe.

David Stoddard Greenough Doane (1827–1895) worked as a mason, station agent, farmer, and well driller in Cohasset, Mass., at various times between 1850 and 1880. He also served as a bank trustee and justice of the peace, sold real estate, and operated a daguerreotype shop. He married Harriet Maria Parker (1828–1873) in 1854.

References: Boston Almanac; Boston Directory; "People: Widdifield and Company," Waywiser, Harvard University Department of the History of Science, http://dssmhi1.fas.harvard.edu/emuseumdev/code/eMuseum.asp?lang=EN; Alfred Alder Doane, ed., The Doane Family (Boston, 1902), 425; 1850–1880 U.S. Census records.

Location

Currently not on view

Currently not on view

date made

1838-1868

maker

Widdifield & Co.

ID Number

MA.335300

accession number

317888

catalog number

335300

Data Source

National Museum of American History

Set of Drawing Instruments

Description

This wooden case has a mahogany veneer and is lined with blue paper and velvet. A brass plate on the lid is not marked. A compartment inside the lid has a holder for a protractor (not present) and a white label marked: MÉDAILLE D'ARGENT (/) Marque de Fabrique (/) EXPOSITION DE PARIS 1867. A blue and white label on the inside bottom of the case is marked: No. 14 (/) 7–2.

The bottom also holds: a piece of white tissue paper; two pencil leads; 4-3/8" brass and steel dividers with removable leg, pencil point, and extension bar; pen point that fits the 6" dividers in the tray; a 5-3/4" wooden French curve marked with a sphinx; and a 5-1/2" wooden triangle marked in the corners: 90, 67 [1/]2, 22 [1/]2.

A tray inside the case contains: 6" brass and steel dividers with a removable leg, pencil point attachment, and extension bar; 4-1/2" brass and steel fixed-leg dividers; 3-3/8" brass and steel compass with removable leg, pricker point, and pen and pencil attachments; a pen point that nearly fits the 4-3/8" dividers; two metal joint tighteners; and a 5-1/4" steel, German silver, and ivory drawing pen.

It is unclear which European firm won a silver medal at the 1867 Paris Exposition for the entire set or an instrument within it. This example was likely first sold soon after the fair and before the next major competition for makers of scientific instruments, such as Havre in 1869 or Vienna in 1873. The Smithsonian received the object in 1963.

Location

Currently not on view

date made

ca 1870

ID Number

MA.323412

accession number

251004

catalog number

323412

Data Source

National Museum of American History

Set of Drawing Instruments

Description

This wooden case is covered with black leather and lined with purple velvet. Several circles have been drawn on the top of the lid. The velvet inside the lid folds out to reveal a 6-3/4" wooden straight edge; a 3-1/2" metal L-shaped square; a 3-3/8" metal semicircular protractor divided to single degrees and numbered by tens from 10 to 170; and a 6" ivory plotting scale with one scalloped end. The plotting scale has diagonal scales at both ends. Above it are scales divided to 1/10" and numbered by ones from 6 to 1, and divided to 1/12" and numbered by tens from 50 to 10. The back of the plotting scale has a scale of chords and scales dividing the inch into 45, 40, 35, 30, 25, and 20 parts.

The bottom of the case has four pairs of German silver and steel dividers. Two pairs have a removable leg and are 5-3/8" long, one pair has fixed legs and is 4-7/8", and one pair has a removable leg and is 3-3/4". A pencil point is a little bit too short for the longest dividers, and a pen point is a little bit too long for the longest dividers. Another pen point and pencil point fit the shortest pair of dividers. A 2-3/4" drawing pen has a very short cylindrical handle. Three empty slots suggest that some of the original instruments in the set are missing. One slot is round for a ceramic cup; compare to 1990.0115.01.

The set was found in the Museum collections in 1979 with objects that suggest an association with Cleveland Abbe (1838–1916), an American engineer, astronomer, and meteorologist who worked for the U.S. Weather Service from 1871 until shortly before his death.

Reference: accession file.

date made

19th century

ID Number

1979.0876.01

catalog number

1979.0876.01

accession number

1979.0876

Data Source

National Museum of American History

Set of Drawing Instruments

Description

This wooden case has an inlay for a label on its top, but the inlay is not marked. The lock is broken. The case is lined with blue paper and velvet. A compartment inside the lid has space for a transparent plastic protractor, divided to single degrees and numbered by tens from 0 to 180. (Due to the deterioration of the plastic, the protractor is stored separately.) The bottom of the case, underneath a tray of drawing instruments, contains: a 5-1/8" German silver and steel drawing pen with ivory handle; a 5-1/2" ebony triangle with corners marked 45, 45, and 90; and a 6-1/2" wooden rule.

One side of the rule has four scales, divided to roughly: 1/4", numbered by ones from 1 to 19; 3/4", numbered by ones from 6 to 1; 1/2", numbered by ones from 1 to 9; and 1", numbered by ones from 4 to 1. The ends of the scales have unusual diagonal scales for 1/4", 1/2", 3/4", and 1". The other side has a scale of chords and scales dividing the inch into 60, 50, 45, 40, 35, and 30 parts.

The tray contains: 6-1/2" brass and steel drawing pen with ebony handle; 6-1/2" brass compass with pencil point and removable leg; extension bar, divider point, and pen point for the compass; 2-3/8" steel pencil, pen, and divider points for a small compass not included in the set; 2-1/8" brass and steel drawing pen; and 3" brass and steel bow pen. None of the instruments are signed.

A pen wipe cloth, cake of ink, cylindrical wooden case holding seven pencil leads, and rubber were also received with the set. The rubber is marked: NEWMAN'S (/) PURPLE LAKE (/) SOHO SQUARE. The cloth is signed by Charles M. Higgins, an inventor and manufacturer of inks and pens from Brooklyn, N.Y.

The set was owned by the donor's grandfather, Frederick Dawson Thorns (1830–1911). He worked in an ironmonger's shop in England before moving in 1855 to Brooklyn, N.Y., where he held various jobs before operating a restaurant, opening an auction house, and selling real estate. He moved to Asheboro, N.C., to live with one of his daughters in the late 19th century.

Reference: 1910 U.S. Census records; accession file.

Location

Currently not on view

date made

late 19th century

ID Number

MA.334622

accession number

308964

catalog number

334622

Data Source

National Museum of American History

Case of Mismatched Drawing Instruments

Description

This polished wood case has a metal plate on the lid and is fastened with brass hooks (one is missing). The case is lined with burgundy silk and velvet. The case and instruments appear to have been assembled separately, because there are more instruments than slots in the case and the styles of the instruments do not match. The case contains:

1) 4-1/4" clear plastic protractor (held in a compartment inside the lid), divided to single degrees and numbered by tens in both directions from 0 to 180.

2) 6-1/4" brass folding square. The outer edge of one leg has a centimeter scale, numbered from 1 to 15, with the first centimeter divided to millimeters. This leg is marked: N^LLE MESURE. The outer edge of the other leg has a scale divided to 1-1/16", numbered from 5 to 1, with the first unit divided into twelfths. This leg is marked: A^NC MESURE. The scale thus represents a pre-metric French inch. A rectangular hole with a rounded end is cut out of this leg, and the leg has a pinhole for suspending a weight on a string. This instrument is the oldest in the case and probably dates to around 1800.

3) 12" section of a four-fold wooden rule with brass hinge and tip. One side is divided to 1/8" and numbered by ones from 23 to 13. The other side is divided to 1/16" and numbered by ones from 11 to 1. The other half of the rule is missing. Compare to 1990.0099.01 and MA.335275.

4) 4-1/4" German silver extension bar and 3" divider and pen points that do not fit the dividers in the case.

5) 1-18" brass tack that appears to hold ink.

6) 4-1/2" ivory and steel drawing pen with a brass adjusting screw.

7) 7/8" metal joint tightener.

8) 3-3/4" brass and steel dividers with removable divider and pencil points.

9) 4-7/8" German silver and steel fixed-point dividers.

10) 2-5/8" brass and steel pen point that does not fit the dividers in the case.

11) 2" brass pencil point that does not fit the dividers in the case.

12) 3-1/8" curved steel needle point in brass holder; its function is not known.

13) Extra brass adjusting screw, metal plate with one screw, and crudely cut metal circle marked: PEN.

The donors' family was prominent in the history of American science. John William Draper (1811–1882) was a chemist who also made innovations in photography. He had three sons: John C. Draper (1835–1885), who was a physician and chemist; Henry Draper (1837–1882), who was an astronomical photographer; and Daniel Draper (1841–1931), who established the New York Meteorological Observatory in Central Park in 1868 and directed it until 1911.

References: Maya Hambly, Drawing Instruments, 1580–1980 (London: Sotheby's Publications, 1988); Robert S. Harding and Jeffrey L. Tate, "Draper Family Collection, ca. 1826–1936," Archives Center, National Museum of American History, http://amhistory.si.edu/archives/d8121.htm.

Location

Currently not on view

date made

ca 1800-1920

ID Number

MA.335353

accession number

304826

catalog number

335353

Data Source

National Museum of American History

Schoenner Set of Drawing Instruments

Description

This mahogany case is lined with maroon satin and velvet. It has a lock, but the key is missing. A tray lifts out and holds the following instruments:

1) 6-1/4" German silver and steel dividers with two removable legs, needle point, extension bar, pencil point, and pen point. The pieces are each marked: 11. The central screw on the dividers is marked: D.R. PATENT (/) No 44741.

2) 5-1/4" German silver and steel dividers with one removable leg. The central screw on the dividers is marked: D.R. PATENT (/) No 44741.

3) 4" German silver and steel dividers with two removable legs, pencil point, pen point, and needle point. The central screw on the dividers is marked: D.R. PATENT (/) No 44741.

4) 3-1/8" bow dividers, bow pen, and bow pencil.

5) 1-3/4" brass cylinder with seven pencil leads.

6) 1-1/4" metal cylinder with seven pencil leads.

7) Two steel, German silver, and ivory drawing pens (4-5/8", 5-3/8"). The ivory handle for the longer pen is no longer attached to the metal portion.

Georg Schoenner (1821–1899) of Nuremberg received the German patent mentioned on the dividers on February 5, 1888, for the construction of the hinge on dividers and compasses. He opened his workshop in 1851 and added his son as partner in 1877.

According to the donor, Charles S. Stones of St. Louis owned the instruments. From the early 1890s until the beginning of World War I, he used the set in his work building stairs. In order to get a building job in St. Louis at that time, Stones had to learn German. After the war, demand for showy stairways lapsed. Stones then used the instruments to draw house plans until about 1928.

Reference: Georg Schoenner, "Zirkelgelenk" (German Patent 44741 issued February 5, 1888), http://worldwide.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/originalDocument?CC=DE&NR=44741C&KC=C&FT=D&date=&DB=EPODOC&locale=en_EP; accession file.

Location

Currently not on view

date made

ca 1890

maker

Schoenner, Georg

ID Number

1977.0279.01

catalog number

1977.0279.01

accession number

1977.0279

catalog number

335933

Data Source

National Museum of American History

Salmoiraghi Case of Military Drafting Instruments

Description

This wooden case of military drafting instruments has leather handles and metal hooks and is lined with black velvet. Wooden and metal pieces inside the case help hold the instruments in place. The set includes a 12" aluminum circular protractor, divided to 1000s of mils and numbered by ones from 1 to 64, with a vernier controlled by a spring. The vernier permits readings to 100 mils of accuracy and is marked: R = 170 m/m. A bar across the center of the protractor has three oval cutouts covered by plastic marked with a hairline that are used to position the instrument. The bar is marked: SALMOIRAGHI (/) MILANO. Black plastic is screwed to the bar on both sides. Both plastic pieces are marked: 3559. They are also marked: MISS-BAK.

An 18" aluminum scale rule with two positioning knobs is divided along one edge to ten mils and numbered by hundreds of mils from 100 to 11,200. The other edge is divided to half-millimeters and numbered by centimeters from 0 to 39. The rule is marked: SCALA 1:25000. A 5-1/4" aluminum and plastic sight is divided to 1000s of mils and numbered by ones from 1 to 64. An aluminum or German silver beam compass has two points, an additional clamp with two thumbscrews, and a 12-1/4" wooden beam with a notch at the middle.

The case also holds a black plastic and aluminum joint tightener; a 3-5/8" aluminum triangle divided to millimeters and numbered by tens from 60 to 10 along the x axis and from 10 to 80 along the y axis; 2-7/8" German silver and aluminum beam dividers; a 3-1/8" crayon holder; 6-1/8" aluminum dividers with pen and pencil attachments; a 2-3/4" German silver screwdriver; a 1-1/2" cylindrical aluminum case with seven pencil leads; and an additional pencil attachment for a compass that does not appear to fit either pair of dividers. The large dividers are marked: IAS. At least one piece of the original set is missing.

Ignasio Porro (1801–1875) established La Filotecnica in Milan in 1865 to train students to make optical and mathematical instruments. Between 1870 and 1877 one of his apprentices, Angelo Salmoiraghi (1848–1939), purchased the firm and put more emphasis on manufacturing. By 1906 the company was renamed Filotecnica Salmoiraghi.

References: Paolo Brenni, "Italian Scientific Instrument Makers of the Nineteenth Century and Their Instruments," in Nineteenth-Century Instruments and Their Makers, ed. P. R. de Clercq (Amsterdam: Rodopi B.V., 1985), 196–198; Bill Morris, "A Fine Sextant by Filotecnica Salmoiraghi of Milan," October 5, 2010, The Nautical Sextant, http://sextantbook.com/2010/10/05/a-fine-sextant-by-filotecnica-salmoirhagi-of-milan/.

Location

Currently not on view

date made

ca 1900

maker

Salmoiraghi

ID Number

1986.0316.08

catalog number

1986.0316.08

accession number

1986.0316

Data Source

National Museum of American History

Compas Superieurs Case of Drawing Instruments Sold by William Minifie

Description

The lid of this rosewood case has been marked with Chinese characters and stickers (?) of people. Engraving on the brass name plate is not legible. The key for the lock is missing.

A compartment inside the lid is lined with purple silk. The front of the compartment is marked: COMPAS SUPERIEURS (/) MARQUE DÉPOSÉ (/) BREVETÉS S.G.D.G. A 3-7/8" brass semicircular protractor divided to degrees and a 4-1/4" clear plastic semicircular protractor divided to half-degrees are held inside the compartment with a ribbon. Both protractors are numbered by tens in both directions from 0 to 180. The base of the brass protractor appears to be engraved with an owner's name, but the name is not legible. A yellow label inside the compartment is marked: WM MINIFIE & SON (/) Booksellers (/) No. 114 Balto. St. (/) BALTIMORE. The bottom of the wooden part of the lid is marked in pencil: No 18. It is also marked: odl (/) 9.–.

The wooden bottom of the case holds a 5-3/4" wooden French curve and two wooden triangles (5-1/8" and 7-1/2"). All are ink-stained and presumably were heavily used. Both triangles are marked: W^M MINIFIE (/) BALTIMORE. They are also marked: J. Schröder (/) in Darmstadt. The larger triangle is part number 20, and the smaller triangle is part number 11.

A wooden tray inside the case is lined with purple velvet and holds: 6-1/2" brass and steel proportional dividers numbered by ones from 2 to 10; a 1-1/2" brass cylindrical case holding two steel needle points; a 5" pointed wooden stick; 4-1/2" brass and steel fixed-leg dividers; a 4" brass and steel compass with a pencil point and a removable leg; pen and pencil points that fit the compass; a 4" brass and steel divider point, pen point, and extender bar that do not fit any instrument in the case; a 3-3/4" brass and steel bow pen with ivory handle; a metal joint tightener; and a 6-1/4" brass and steel drawing pen with ivory handle. The pencil point for the compass is marked: Bvt. S.G.D.G. Some instruments are apparently not original to the set.

Compas Supérieurs assembled cases of drawing instruments in France in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. "Brevetés sans Guarantie de Gouvernement" in its logo suggests the company had applied for French patents.

Jacob Peter Schröder (1809–1887) of Darmstadt, Germany, operated a teaching workshop that made wooden and cast-iron models of machines from 1837 into the 1880s. The firm exhibited sewing machines at the 1862 Great London Exposition. A few wooden Schröder geometric models are in the Smithsonian mathematics collections; see 1982.0795.39, 1982.0795.40, 1982.0795.41, 1982.0795.42, 1982.0795.43, and 1982.0795.44. Some of the firm's kinematic models may be viewed via Cornell's Kinetic Models for Design Digital Laboratory, http://kmoddl.library.cornell.edu/collection-toc.php.

William Minifie (1805–1880) apprenticed as a cabinet maker in England before moving to Baltimore in 1828. He became an architect and builder, professor of drawing at Central High School in Baltimore, and author of a successful textbook on geometrical drawing. In 1847 he purchased the bookstore that became Wm. Minifie (adding "& Son" in 1868), selling stationery and artist's materials.

References: Science and Art Department of the Committee of Council on Education, Catalogue of Models of Machinery, Drawings, Tools, &c. in the South Kensington Museum (London, 1880), 16, 111, 157–169; C. Herbert Baxley, "Travel in the 1830s: The Diary of William Minifie," Maryland Historical Magazine 78 (1983): 287–296; Baltimore City Directories of 1863–64 (p. 192) and 1879 (p. 535).

Location

Currently not on view

date made

ca 1900

retailer

Minifie, William

maker

Compas Superieurs

ID Number

1983.0238.01

accession number

1983.0238

catalog number

1983.0238.01

Data Source

National Museum of American History

Set of Drawing Instruments

Description

This large wooden case is lined with yellow silk and velvet. The inside of the case is marked: R. H. HRONIK. A wooden tray lifts out and holds:

1) 8-1/8" German silver and steel proportional dividers, marked for lines from 1/10 to 11/12 and for circles from 7 to 20.

2) 5-1/4" German silver dotting pen with clear plastic handle.

3) 5-1/4" German silver and steel drawing pen with black plastic handle. The tightening screw is marked: POST'S (/) GERMANY. The Frederick Post Company of Chicago began importing and distributing drawing instruments and slide rules in 1890.

4) 4" German silver and steel dividers with removable points and needle and pencil point attachments.

5) Four pencil leads, ranging from 1-1/2" to 4-1/4". The longest is marked: L. & C. HARDTMUTH, Inc. KOH-I-NOOR 3H. Joseph Hardtmuth began making earthenware in Vienna, Austria, in 1790 and expanded into graphite leads in 1802. The firm moved to České Budějovice, now in the Czech Republic, in 1848 and concentrated exclusively on pencils from 1870. It remains in business as of 2013 as Koh-i-Noor Hardtmuth.

6) 6-1/4" German silver and steel dividers with removable points and extension bar, dotting point, pencil point, needle point, and pen point attachments.

7) 7-1/4"metal trammel bar for a beam compass, with two 7" extensions, divider point, pen point, two pencil points, and screw-on needle point.

8) Key with metal tag engraved on one side: R. H. HRONIK. The other side is engraved: DRAFTING SET.

9) 3" ivory, German silver, and steel bow compass missing both needle points.

10) 5-1/4" German silver and steel tripod fixed-leg dividers.

11) 1-1/2" cylindrical metal case with five pieces of pencil leads and 1-3/8" cylindrical metal case with six pencil leads.

12) 1-3/8" loose steel needle point.

Empty spaces in the tray indicate that at least the following items are missing from the set: 5" dividers, 3-1/2" bow pencil, 3-1/2" bow pen, trammel point, 5" drawing pen, and 4" ruling pen. Additionally, the two pens in the tray are shorter than their slots and so likely are replacements. A piece of paper in the bottom tray has a handwritten note in ink that was probably prepared by Smithsonian staff: R. H. HRONIK (/) part of same (/) accession (/) late 1890's (/) not later than 1902.

The donor, Richard H. Hronik (1911–2003), was born in St. Louis to Joseph J. (1888–1972) and Gladys Hronik. He grew up in Cedar Rapids, Ia., and graduated from Iowa State College in 1934, where he belonged to the Alpha Mu chapter of Theta Chi fraternity. He was a major in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1946. He held a number of patents in transportation engineering and did design work relating to railroad systems built for the Indian government. By 1962, he worked for Melpar, Inc., located in Falls Church, Va., as a materials science engineer. He gave at least 129 pieces of electronics equipment; drafting, woodworking, and machine tools; and calculating machines to the Smithsonian in at least three separate accessions.

The set may have been owned by Hronik's grandfather, Frank Hronik (1860–about 1939), who was born in Bohemia (now the Czech Republic), moved to Cedar Rapids in 1884, and by 1900 was a railroad machinist for the Burlington, Cedar Rapids, and Northern Railway, which was succeeded by the Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific Railway in 1903. In 1887 he married Mary Hronik, who was born in Bohemia in 1864 and brought to this country by her parents in 1867.

Reference: Koh-i-noor Hardtmuth, "History," http://www.koh-i-noor.cz/en/history.

Location

Currently not on view

date made

ca 1900

ID Number

MA.326146

accession number

257457

catalog number

326146

Data Source

National Museum of American History

Magazine Case of Drawing Instruments

Description

Richard G. Smith (about 1891–1936) assembled and used this collection of drawing instruments in his work as a draftsman in Baltimore. His son, also named Richard G. Smith, then used the set early in his career. He apparently added a few of the instruments now found in the set since, for example, the C-Thru template was manufactured after the elder Smith's death.

This 13" by 10" wooden case has a lift-out tray and a pull-out drawer. The lid is lined with green velvet. The top tray contains:

1) 6-1/4" German silver compasses with bendable legs and removable pencil point. The center hinge is marked: PATENT (/) MARCH 17 (/) 1903. Inside one leg is marked: 56. Inside the other leg is marked: SCHOENNER II. On the Schoenner firm of Nuremberg, Germany, see 1989.0305.05.

2) 6" German silver and steel dividers. The center hinge is marked: PATENT (/) MARCH 17 (/) 1903. Inside one leg is marked: SCHOENNER II.

3) 6-1/8" German silver and steel proportional compass. The pieces are each marked: 39.

4) 4" steel bow pen marked: D.R.P. The mark is above an overlaid E, O, and R, the trademark of E. O. Richter, a German instrument maker that operated from 1892 to the 1980s. The letters DRP, or Deutsches Reichspatent, indicate that the firm held an imperial patent.

5) Two 3-3/8" steel bow pencils.

6) 3-3/4" German silver bow pen.

7) 3-3/4" steel bow dividers.

8) German silver beam compasses with removable pencil, pen, and needle points and cylindrical case for needles. Compare to item 1259 in A Manual of the Principal Instruments Used in American Engineering and Surveying, Manufactured by W. & L. E. Gurley, 37th ed. (Troy, N.Y., 1903), 310.

9) 2-1/2" flathead metal screwdriver.

10) 1-1/4" cylindrical case for leads (empty).

11) 2-3/4" metal handle with needle and pencil point inserts.

12) 3-1/4" steel pen point and 3-5/8" lengthening bar that do not fit the Schoenner compass. The end of the bar is marked: 13.

13) 3-3/8", 3-7/8", 4-1/8", 4-1/4" steel, German silver, and ebony drawing pens. The shortest pen is marked: K & E Co. The 4-1/8" pen is marked D.-Co. UNION. The longest is marked: T.A. & SONS. Keuffel & Esser of New York City, the Eugene Dietzgen Company of Chicago, and Theodore Alteneder & Sons of Philadelphia were three of the most prominent American scientific instrument makers and retailers in the 19th and 20th centuries.

14) 4-7/16" German silver and wood drawing pen.

15) 5-3/8" steel, German silver, and wood drawing pen. The point is unusually shaped and has a sliding lever next to the adjusting screw. The handle is marked: PAT. It is also marked with an S inside a circle and with the Dietzgen trademark. It is also marked: 2. The point is marked: 4708. No items numbered 4708 were found in 1904 and 1926 Dietzgen catalogs.

16) 5" steel and wood drawing pen with lever that lifts to widen the pen point and is marked: T. A. & SONS PAT. MAY 7, 95 – SEP. 29, 96. Compare to the Alteneder pen in 1989.0305.05.

17) 5-3/8" steel, German silver, and wood drawing pen with a metal support for the tightening screw.

18) 3-1/2" metal set of 15 convex and 15 concave curve measures, ranging from 17/64" to 1/2". The case is marked: THE L. S. STARRETT CO. (/) ATHOL, MASS. U.S.A. (/) No 178–B. Laroy S. Starrett established this firm in 1880 to manufacture the combination square he invented. The company expanded into precision metrology instruments and saw blades. In 2013 it still sold a version of catalog number 178B, the fillet or radius gage.

The drawer holds:

1) Four 1-1/2" metal cases for pencil leads marked: 2H (/) THE WAHL CO. (/) MADE IN CHICAGO U.S.A. The lids are painted red. The Wahl Company began to make fountain pens and mechanical pencils around 1913. The firm was renamed Wahl-Eversharp in the late 1920s, after its most famous mechanical pencil.

2) 2-1/4" cylindrical wooden case with fountain pen nib, two needle points, small metal screw, and small metal bolt.

3) 5-7/8" yellow plastic triangle with pinholes, hole for hanging, and small opening in interior. The top angle has a picture of a mustachioed man in a hat. Initials are scratched on the back: R S.

4) 4-3/8" yellow plastic triangle. Previous owner has scratched 67 1/2° in one angle, 22 1/2° in the other angle, and R G SMITH in the interior.

5) 4-5/8" white plastic protractor, divided to single degrees and numbered by tens in both directions, positioned at an angle inside an L-shaped frame of rulers. Most of the marks for measurement are no longer legible.

6) 8" clear plastic template with a 6" ruler, divided to 1/8", along the top edge and a protractor, divided to single degrees and numbered by tens in both directions from 10 to 180, at the right end. The instrument is marked: C-THRU RULER COMPANY (/) Hartford, Conn. U.S.A. On the history of C-Thru, see 1990.3130.01.

7) 3-3/4" metal template.

8) 11-9/16" wooden beam for the beam compasses in the tray, with a hole for hanging at one end.

9) 2-5/8" steel point for drawing pen. The handle is broken off; the handle and tightening screw are both missing.

10) Yellow pencil sharpened at both ends and marked: VAN DYKE DRAWING PENCIL EBERHARD FABER. U.S.A. Eberhard Faber's company made pencils and other office supplies in New York City from 1861 until 1956, when manufacturing moved to Wilkes-Barre, Pa. A. W. Faber-Castell acquired the company in 1987. This pencil dates from the 1920s.

11) 5-3/4" metal knife with horn handle in leather case marked: R. G. SMITH. The knife blade is marked: E R (/) J. RODGERS (/) & SONS (/) 6 NORFOLK (/) SHEFFIELD (/) ENGLAND. Joseph Rodgers & Sons registered the logo on the other side of the blade, a star and Maltese cross, in 1764. The firm expanded from pocket knives into cutlery, razors, and scissors in the early 19th century. The Egginton Group purchased the company's name and trademarks in 1986.

12) A small folded piece of metal marked: VISE CLIP (/) G U CO. (/) DIST.

13) Twenty-six slotted metal thumbtacks of varying sizes. Two are unmarked. Two are marked: WEBER PHILA (/) GERMANY. Twenty-two are marked: HAMPDEN (/) No. T1.

14) Six two-holed metal thumbtacks marked: UNIVERSAL DRAFTING MACHINE CO (/) PATS. PDG.

References: D. M. Riches, "E. O. Richter," http://www.mathsinstruments.me.uk/page51.html; Ferdinand A. Alteneder, "Drawing Pen" (U.S. Patent 538,811 issued May 7, 1895) and (U.S. Patent 568,556 issued September 29, 1896); The L. S. Starrett Company, "Where It Began," http://www.starrett.com/about/company-profile; "New Goods and Lines Discontinued," National Association [of Stationers and Manufacturers] News 6, no. 5 (May 1922) : 4; Dennis B. Smith, "Eberhard Faber Van Dyke/Microtomic Drawing Pencil," Leadholder: The Drafting Pencil Museum, http://leadholder.com/wood-ef-vandyke.html; Egginton Group, "The History of Joseph Rodgers," http://www.eggintongroup.co.uk/history/the-history-of-joseph-rodgers.html.

Location

Currently not on view

date made

ca 1910-1950

ID Number

1990.0690.01

catalog number

1990.0690.01

accession number

1990.0690

Data Source

National Museum of American History

Set of Drawing Instruments

Description

This mahogany veneered case is fastened with metal hooks and lined with black velvet. The top has a green sticker marked: 14. An L-square, ruler, case for pencil leads, and compass attachments appear to be missing from inside the case. The instruments that remain in the set include:

1) 6-1/8" steel, German silver, and ivory drawing pen. The handle is broken.

2) 4-1/4" German silver and steel dividers with removable pen and needle points.

3) 7/8" German silver joint tightener.

4) 5" German silver and steel fixed-leg dividers.

5) 5-3/4" German silver and steel dividers with removable pen point, pencil point, and lengthening bar.

According to the donor, the U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey acquired the instruments on September 24, 1912, and last issued them to an employee on January 19, 1927. No sets like this one were found in Keuffel & Esser, Dietzgen, or Gurley catalogs.

Location

Currently not on view

date made

1912

ID Number

MA.309654

catalog number

309654

accession number

106954

Data Source

National Museum of American History

Set of Drawing Instruments Sold by Sears Roebuck

Description

This unpolished wood and cardboard case is wrapped in packaging tape added by the donor for transporting the instruments. The set includes:

1) 5-1/4" and 4-1/4" steel drawing pens. The tightening screws on the spring blades are marked: SEARS ROEBUCK GERMANY.

2) 6" steel dividers. A pin in one leg latches to the other leg. The hinge is marked: SEARS ROEBUCK GERMANY.

3) 6" steel compass with one jointed leg and removable pencil point, pen point, and jointed lengthening bar. All parts except the pencil point are marked: SEARS ROEBUCK GERMANY. The lengthening bar is also marked: HAB. A divider point is apparently missing.

4) 3" metal handle. The remainder of this instrument, which had a point, is apparently missing.

5) 2" and 1-1/4" cylindrical metal cases. The larger has one graphite lead, one needle point, and two tops for screws. The smaller holds 5 graphite leads.

6) 3-3/4" bow dividers, bow pen, and bow pencil.

The donor (b. 1949) reported that his great-grandfather, Henry Arthur Botkin, owned this set. Botkin lived in Missouri and East Texas before the instruments were damaged in a 1903 family house fire. The case may thus be a later replacement and possibly is handmade.

The date of the instruments is uncertain. After advertising only watches and jewelry from 1888 to 1893, Sears Roebuck began issuing a general catalog in 1894. These objects do not resemble any of the drawing instruments advertised in the Spring 1896 (pp. 467–468), Fall 1897 (pp. 369–370), Fall 1899 (pp. 175–177), or Spring 1905 (pp. 370–371) Sears Roebuck catalogs. The bow pen, pencil, and dividers appear to have first been advertised in Spring 1911 (p. 746). This style of drawing compasses and pens still was not depicted by Spring 1914 (p. 792), when the outbreak of World War I interrupted the import of drawing instruments made in Germany. In Fall 1920 (p. 1200), Sears Roebuck offered a set of instruments like these (with only one lead case and no handle) from Keuffel & Esser's Pilot brand for $15.35. However, when European imports resumed in Spring 1921 (p. 602), none of the instruments advertised resembled these. By Spring 1925 (p. 507), Sears Roebuck sold Schoenner instruments.

Reference: "History of the Sears Catalog," http://www.searsarchives.com/catalogs/history.htm.

Location

Currently not on view

date made

early 20th century

distributor

Sears, Roebuck and Co.

ID Number

1978.0226.01

catalog number

336490

accession number

1978.0226

Data Source

National Museum of American History

Magazine Case of Drawing Instruments

Description

This polished wooden case has an unmarked brass plate on the lid. A lock is on the front of the case, which is lined with blue velvet. The top tray holds:

1) 2-1/8" metal joint tightener.

2) One 6-1/4" and two 5-1/4" German silver and ivory drawing pens.

3) 4-7/8" German silver and ivory dotting pen.

4) 1-5/8" metal straight pin.

5) 2-3/4" and 3-3/4" German silver and steel pencil points and pen points, none of which appear to fit any of the drawing compasses in the case.

6) 4-1/4" German silver and steel dividers with bendable legs.

7) 5-1/4" German silver and steel dividers. The removable leg is broken.

8) 3" steel and ivory bow pencil and bow dividers.

9) 2-3/4" steel and ivory bow pen.

10) Two 9/16" metal thumbtacks marked: KEUFFEL & ESSER Co.

11) Three 7/16" metal thumbtacks.

The second tray holds:

1) 2" German silver beam compass with steel needle, pen, pencil, and divider points. There is no connecting beam for the compass.

2) 4-1/2" German silver and ivory opsimeter (measuring wheel).

3) 3-3/4" brass semicircular protractor divided to single degrees and numbered by tens in both directions from 0 to 180.

4) 4-7/8" and 4" steel and wood lettering pens. The lettering point on the longer pen is marked: &C2. The lettering point on the shorter pen is marked: 6 (/) JOSEPH.

5) Sixteen metal lettering pen nibs of various sizes. Eight are marked: JOSEPH GILLOT'S (/) CROW QUILL. Four are marked: C. BRANDAUER (/) BIRMINGHAM. Two are marked: M. L. LEMAN'S (/) EXTRA LINE. One is marked: ELLSWORTH PEN (/) D. APPLETON & Co (/) NEW YORK E F. One is marked: HARRISON (/) 505 (/) BRADFORD.

6) 1-1/8" steel and brass pen point.

7) Paintbrush with broken clear plastic handle.

Loose in the three-sectioned bottom of the case are:

1) 5-1/8" German silver extension bar that does not appear to fit the dividers in the top tray.

2) Two wood and graphite pencils, one of which is marked: A. W. FABER. No I. There are also five sharpened end pieces of wooden pencils.

3) 6-1/2" wooden art stick.

4) 1" green rubber eraser marked: NEWMAN'S (/) EMERALD GREEN (/) SOHO SQUARE. There are also two pieces of red eraser and an unidentifiable hardened gray piece.

5) 1-1/8" metal key.

6) Folded piece of paper with red ink powder.

7) 1-5/8" red and blue crayons. There are also numerous broken pieces of crayons and pencil leads.

The donors' family was prominent in the history of American science. John William Draper (1811–1882) was a chemist who also made innovations in photography. He had three sons: John C. Draper (1835–1885), who was a physician and chemist; Henry Draper (1837–1882), who was an astronomical photographer; and Daniel Draper (1841–1931), who established the New York Meteorological Observatory in Central Park in 1868 and directed it until 1911.

References: William Ford Stanley, Mathematical Drawing and Measuring Instruments, 6th ed. (London: E. & F. N. Spon, 1888), 288; "Brandauer Timeline," http://brandauer.co.uk/timeline/; Robert S. Harding and Jeffrey L. Tate, "Draper Family Collection, ca. 1826–1936," Archives Center, National Museum of American History, http://amhistory.si.edu/archives/d8121.htm.

Location

Currently not on view

date made

early 20th century

ID Number

MA.335355

accession number

304826

catalog number

335355

Data Source

National Museum of American History

Set of Drawing Instruments

Description

This wooden case is lined with blue paper, silk, and velvet. It fastens with brass hooks. The lid has space for a metal plaque, but the plaque is no longer present. The paper on the bottom of the case has had letters scratched into it: ME DR EGM (/) DR E GATLIN MILLER (/) 4347 LAUREL CANYON (/) STUDIO CITY (/) CALI. A compartment inside the lid has a slat for a protractor, but there are no instruments in the compartment.

The main section holds: 6-3/8" brass and steel dividers with a removable leg, reversible needle point, pen and pencil point attachments, and lengthening bar; 4" brass and steel fixed leg dividers with a reversible needle point; 6-1/4" German silver and steel drawing pen with an ivory handle (the handle is broken); 2-3/16" ivory handle broken off another drawing pen (not in the set); 2-1/2" brass and steel pen point for a compass (not in the set); and 3-1/4" German silver and steel drawing pen. Empty slots in the case and instruments that do not fit the slots properly suggest that most of the objects are not original to the set. Compare to 315411 and 323412.

E. Gatlin Miller, a dentist, donated this case of instruments in 1961. An Elmer Gatlin Miller (1898–1962), a native of Kirksville, Mo., who served in the Army Training Corps at the normal school during World War I, earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California in 1925.

References: El Rodeo Yearbook (University of Southern California, 1924), 202; Missouri Digital Heritage Initiative, Soldiers' Records: War of 1812–World War I, http://www.sos.mo.gov/archives/soldiers/details.asp?id=A88644&conflict=World%20War%20I&txtName=lme&selConflict=All&txtUnit=&rbBranch=&offset=1650.

Location

Currently not on view

date made

early 20th century

ID Number

MA.318491

accession number

234123

catalog number

318491

Data Source

National Museum of American History