Antique Measuring Tools at The Best Things

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Measuring Tools

ME80942 J. Buck, 124 Newgate St. London This is a 12" rosewood level with brass top that has been wonderfully engraved with the owner's name, George Harrop. I can count on one hand how many levels that I have seen with fancly engraved names on them. Admittedly, later levels with presentation engraving are not rare. According to Goodman's book, J. Buck was at this address from 1837-1872. The level is well used, but has a very nice look about it. The brass has never been buffed up, although it looks to have been lightly hand polished. The original steel screws accent the brass nicely. The rosewood has a somewhat faded look to it, like it has been in the sun too much. Rosewood is highly susceptible to UV and Mr. Harrop may have been working outside. I like this piece a lot. Good $345

ME71046 G. Dollond This is a 19th Century pantograph in wonderful original condition in the original dovetailed mahogany box. The box still has the original label, telling us that George Dollond was an "Instrument Maker to Her Majesty" working at 59 St. Paul's Church Yard London. Her Majesty is a hint that this instrument was made after Victoria was crowned in 1837. The intrument looks 18th Century all the way, which is a good example of how tricky it is to date early intrruments. It is my opinion that most are erroneously dated to earlier periods than from which they were actually manufactured. This is as nice an example of a pantograph as you could ask for. The box is about 26 inches wide. Even the fitting on the box are nice, with lacquered brass clasps and an beatifully patinated iron eschutcheon. Inside the box is also a hand written page of tables which is titled "Pentagraph" and appears to be original to the instrument. Highly recommended. G++ $995Sold

ME71018 H. Bell & Co. Prescot, Lancashire This is a classic Lancashire pattern folding guinea scale. It is in a mahogany box with a full originial paper label. This is a scarce type which came with 5 extra original weights. Only one of these looks proper to me, and it might not be original to this scale because it does not fit perfectly. That might be from wood shrinkage. The other 4 are clearly modern replacments, and the lid is very difficult to shut properly with them in place, because they were not made properly. They could be fitted better. This is the only one of these scales that I have had even had a provision for extra weights. It is also the first that I have had by this maker. Most of the ones that I see were made in Ormskirk. The brass looks to be very lightly polished but the tool is in essentially very nice as found condition. Very cheap for one these, even with replaced weights. It is late 18th Century. G++ $279

ME50620 Ray Skin Drawing Instrument Set This is a late 18th or early 19th Century drawing instrument set in the original shark or ray skin case. The owner has written into the inside lid, "Thomas Cooper Tatman, 2027 Mt. Vernon St. Phila. PA." I would guess that this incsription is later than the set, and I believe it to be the inscription of one Thomas Cooper Tatman who died in 1996 and is buried near Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania. At least this gives the set a Philadelphia provenance, and tells us that the set is original, since Tatman etched his name on all of the instruments. So many of these sets have been "completed" by collectors that a virgin find like this is exciting. There are two empy slots. One is probably for a pencile and the other for a small rule. The dividers have had the tip broken and soldered. A skilled restorer could do a much better job of this. The case is in great shape and this is a very fine set. G+ $695