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Pantograph in Case Like Those Made by William Cary, Signed by John L. Wilson

National Museum of American History

Object Details

Description
This brass pantograph is stored in a wooden case with a lock (key missing) and two hook latches. Two arms are marked from 1/2 to 11/12. The instrument moves on six ivory rollers (one is missing). It is held together with screws. The pencil or tracer slides along one arm while the other point is stationary. An iron weight covered with black felt anchors the pantograph. The pencil holder has a cup at the top to hold weights to darken the pencil writing. There are no holes for the string.
Engraving on one bar of the pantograph reads: John L. Wilson, No. 2. A tag on the front of the lid reads: PROPERTY OF (/) UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH (/) PITTSBURGH, PA 15213.
Compare MA.317868, MA.327891, MA.334888, and 2005.0182.8.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
Gift of University of Pittsburgh, Civil Engineering Department
ca 1875
ID Number
MA.334888
accession number
315134
catalog number
334888
Object Name
Pantograph
Physical Description
wood (overall material)
brass (overall material)
metal (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 12.5 cm x 67.2 cm x 8.1 cm; 4 29/32 in x 26 15/32 in x 3 3/16 in
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Mathematics
Pantographs
Science & Mathematics
National Museum of American History
Subject
Mathematics
Record ID
nmah_904623
Metadata Usage (text)
CC0
GUID (Link to Original Record)
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a7-35c0-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Related Content

  • Pantographs

    American History Museum
John L. Wilson No. 2 Pantograph, Out of Case
There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page .
International media Interoperability Framework
IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
View manifest View in Mirador Viewer

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