Object Details
- Description
- Like many surveyor's compasses made in New York in the first half of the 19th century, this one has an ornate floral design on its face. Unlike most American compasses of the period, however, the face reads clockwise, and there is no maker's signature. The donor believed that James Griswold used this compass and the associated chain, pins, tally, and drawing instruments while laying out the New York and Erie Railroad.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Credit Line
- Preston R. Bassett
- ca 1800-1850
- ID Number
- PH.319340
- catalog number
- 319340
- accession number
- 236805
- Object Name
- surveyor's compass
- Physical Description
- brass (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 14 1/2 in; 36.83 cm
- needle: 5 1/2 in; 13.97 cm
- overall; compass: 2 3/4 in x 14 5/8 in x 6 1/2 in; 6.985 cm x 37.1475 cm x 16.51 cm
- overall; brackets, each: 1 3/8 in x 7 5/8 in x 1 1/4 in; 3.4925 cm x 19.3675 cm x 3.175 cm
- overall; cover: 5/8 in x 6 1/2 in; 1.5875 cm x 16.51 cm
- Place Made
- United States: New York
- See more items in
- Medicine and Science: Physical Sciences
- Surveying and Geodesy
- Measuring & Mapping
- Artifact Walls exhibit
- National Museum of American History
- Record ID
- nmah_997214
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746b3-5602-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
