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Measuring Tools

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++ $995

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

ME70547 Johnson & Conaway, Philadelphia This is a rosewood stocked, brass trim mitre square in the English style with the fancy escutcheon. Nineteenth Century American mitre squares are quite scarce but ones in this style are very scarce. Johnson & Conaway was a Philadelphia sawmaker that started around the same time as Disston but was not long lived and their products are scarce. This is the only mitre square of theirs that I have seen in over 20 years of collecting. The rosewood has light tool box rash overall but still has its original finish. The brass has been polished. I guess someone thought that since it was made in the English style, that they should respect that and overclean it in the English style as well. The lower edge of the blade is bent at one end where it was dropped. I am sure that this can be carefully straightened. A serious Philadelphia collectors piece. Good $289

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