1894 Surveying Manual
U.S. General Land Office

This is an original copy of the 1894 surveying instructions for the government public lands. It is complete as to text and all plates and except for some surface defects to the cover is in remarkably good condition.

This treatise provides direction to the U.S. Deputy Surveyors regarding the instruments, tools, and methods of survey for government work. It is one of the most important resource tools for present-day surveyors working in public land states.

The 1894 manual was the first of the published instructions to require that subdivisions of townships “will be made with instruments provided with the accessories necessary to determine the direction with reference to the true meridian, independently of the magnetic needle. Burt’s improved solar compass, or a transit of approved construction, with or without solar attachment, will be used in all cases.” In other words, deputy surveyors are now prohibited from using a magnetic compass to run section lines.

Size is 6.1" x 9.2" with 236 pages and 12 folding plates. The text and plates are in nice condition. The only defects other than ordinary light wear are the holes in the outer cloth cover along the front hinge as shown in the photographs.

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Payment and Shipping Information

1. Cashier’s check or money order preferred for faster shipping.
2. Personal check OK but item held until check clears.
3. California purchasers add 7.25% sales tax.
4. Domestic book rate shipping in the USA is $2.65, although delivery is usually slower.
5. Priority mail shipping within the USA is $3.95.
6. Insurance is extra and if not requested, buyer assumes liability for loss or damage.

Search words: survey, surveyor, surveying, transit, theodolite, alidade, drafting, compass, chain, engineer, cadastral, gurley, solar, land, domain.