A few friends and I decided to hold a Black Friday sale. To discount our prices as much as possible, these are Compleat Surveyor website only deals. By avoiding ebay we save 14% to 18% in ebay and PayPal fees, and you save the sale tax that ebay now imposes on every transaction.

J. T. Hobby Transit - Circa 1840s

This Jonathan Hobby transit, made in Hempstead, Long Island, is complete with its original front loading case. The instrument has its original bronze patina with all original motions operating smoothly. Although the case bears no label, Hobby moved from the 156 Water Street location to Hempstead, Long Island in 1869 and remained in business there until around 1873.

The transit measures 11 ½” high with a 5” needle, 7 ¾” limb, 9 ¾” scope and is fitted with two vernier windows. It has a bronze compass face with a vine motif and is signed J. T. Hobby Hempstead, L. I. It’s accompanying front loading case is 9 ¼”” wide, 10 ¾” deep and 14 ¼”” high and bears some damage near the lower hinge. It does not include any accessories normally contained within the case such as a plumb bob, sun shade or adjustment tools.

There are very few examples of transits made by Jonathan Hobby. I have seen only one other than this over the years and it had a refurbished clamp.

Horace Sawyer (1811-1889) formerly of E & G. W. Blunt joined Jonathan Hobby (1813-1883) in 1839 to operate a mathematical and nautical instrument company in New York City. They operated from 1840-1853 at 156 Water Street according to the local directories. Jonathan Hobby continued at this location until about 1869 when he moved his operation out to Hempstead, Long Island where he remained in business until about 1873.

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