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Surveyor's Compass

Surveyor's Compass

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Description
The "THOS H. BALCH Maker State Street NEWBURYPORT" inscription on the paper card on this wooden compass refers to Thomas H. Balch (1771-1817). According to an advertisement in the Newburyport [Massachusetts] Herald for August 8, 1806, Balch's shop could be found under the Sign of the Mariner's Compass. Like many artisans, Balch did not make every part of every instrument that carried his name. From research in local records, Martha Fales found that a local cabinet maker named George Short made the boxes for Balch's nautical compasses.
Ref: Martha G. Fales, "Makers of Mariners' Compasses in Newburyport," American Neptune 28 (1968): 144-145.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
compass (surveyor's plain)
Surveyor's Compass
maker
Balch, Thomas H.
Short, George
place made
United States: Massachusetts, Newburyport
Physical Description
wood (overall material)
Measurements
overall length: 16 1/16 in; 40.79875 cm
overall: 8 1/8 in x 16 1/8 in x 8 in; 20.6375 cm x 40.9575 cm x 20.32 cm
ID Number
PH.337209
catalog number
337209
accession number
1979.0260
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Physical Sciences
Surveying and Geodesy
Measuring & Mapping
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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