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| ~ RARE 1880'S BURT'S PATENT SOLAR COMPASS ~ |
| Item #1416950569 |
| Category: Antiques & Art:Science Instruments |
  (to seller) (to bidder)
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Currently | $12,500.00 (reserve met) | First bid | $12,500.00 | |||
| Quantity | 1 | # of bids | 5 bid history | ||||
| Time left | Auction has ended with Buy It
Now.
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Location | IA | ||||
| Country/Region | USA/Chicago | ||||||
| Started | Mar-14-01 20:25:54 PST |  mail
this auction to a friend |
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| Ends | Mar-15-01 05:35:14 PST | ![[Gift Alert]](../../../tcsmw/catchup03/youngsolarcompass_files/gift-icon.gif){kind=icon} request
a gift alert |
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| Seller (Rating) | http://contact.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ReturnUserEmail&requested=dbeeksci@aol.com&iid=1416950569&frm=284
(319)
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| view comments in seller's Feedback Profile | view seller's other auctions | |||||||
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| High bid | (156)
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| Payment | See item description for payment methods accepted | ||||||
| Shipping | Seller ships internationally (worldwide), See item description for shipping charges | ||||||
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| Seller assumes all responsibility for listing this item. You should contact the seller to resolve any questions before bidding. Auction currency is U.S. dollars ($) unless otherwise noted. |
| Description |
A BURT’S PATENT SOLAR COMPASS, YOUNG & SONS, PHILADELPHIA, 1882-3.
A very rare American Solar Compass dating from 1882-3, signed by engraved script on the variation index arm, “Young & Sons, Philadelphia”and within the trough compass serial number “5474”.
The solar compass was the ingenious invention of Wm. Austin Burt, beginning designs in 1833 and patenting the instrument in the year 1836. Burt, a deputy surveyor in the Midwest, recognized the need for an instrument where a true meridian could be identified independent of the use of the magnetic compass needle. William J. Young, Philadelphia’s most industrious and favored instrument maker during the early to mid 19th century, was employed by Burt to produce the first batch of solar compasses to be used by Government surveyors in the winter of 1841 (one of this batch of four exists in a private collection). The overall design of the solar compass changed little over it’s many years of favor by Government Land Office (G.L.O.) use and later, use by the Bureau of Land Management. The solar compass is representative of a truly American designed instrument, ingenious, practical, and worthy of use for over a century.
This example of the solar compass is complete with opposed-screw leveling base and tripod. Although the tripod and leveling base did not originally come with this particular solar compass, not only are they both period components, they are both very much like originals and may have actually come from the shop of Wm. J. Young. The original fitted case (field worn) is also with the instrument.
The instrument incorporates a latitude arc with variable-position clamp and slow motion tangent screw. A declination arc also with variable -position clamp and slow and slow motion tangent screw (both shown below).
The polar arc (shown below) was used to set the time. The solar attachment could be turned 180 degrees depending on the time of day solar observations were made. Once the proper settings were made on the instrument, it was turned on it’s vertical axis until the sun shown through the peep sights on the solar attachment (shown below) and reflected off a silvered reticule back to another silvered reticule. Once this alignment was made, the sighting vanes were on a true meridian. Mean readings could be calculated from several observations for accurate alignment.
Once the true meridian was found, the variation arc and magnetic needle (shown below) could be used to calculate the magnetic variation for the region being surveyed. This was important as it allowed the surveyor to then continue running line by bearing instead of having to continually run by solar observations, the latter a much more time–consuming way to run line.
This is truly a magnificent American instrument; sought after as the icon of early American surveying, and the flagship of several collections.
Regarding the marketplace, we have noticed bargains on recent ebay sales, including a Rittenhouse compass which recently traded. The opportunity to purchase a solar compass, complete and usable, is very uncommon. This instrument is for the serious collector who is considering a major acquisition and investment for their collection. A copy of a newly reprinted book, The Evolution of Mine Surveying isntruments, which contains a chapter on the History of the Solar Compass, will accompany this instrument to the new owner. Call or email with any questions. My phone number is listed below.
FREE SHIPPING WITHIN THE CONTIGUOUS UNITED STATES.
- We offer free shipping and insurance, by standard ground-service UPS or standard USPS.
- All special delivery requirements, including international shipments, are at the added expense of the buyer.
- All Objects Guaranteed as Described, and, are Sold with a Limited Three Day Money Back Guarantee.
- Payment by bankable check, required within 10 days of auction completion.
- Questions? E-mail or call (319)-895-0506 (Central Time Zone).
- Please include lot number and title with all correspondence.
Thank you. >~ NOTE THE AUCTIVA LINK BELOW, TO VIEW ALL OUR CURRENT LISTINGS.~
On Mar-15-01 at 03:33:26 PST, seller added the following information:
View all my current listings in my picture gallery.
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