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

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