overall: 2.5 cm x 24.3 cm x 12.4 cm; 31/32 in x 9 9/16 in x 4 7/8 in
Object Name:
drawing instruments, set of
Place made:
Germany
Date made:
late 19th century
Description:
This wooden case is covered with black leather that has tooling on the lid. The lid is marked: 12. The case has a steel locking pin. Inside the case is lined with green silk and velvet. A label inside the lid is marked: JAMES SMITH, (/) ARCHITECT (/) 20 BATH ROAD. The set includes:
1) 6-1/8" German silver drawing compass with bendable legs and removable pencil point, leg extension, and pen point. Inside of one leg is marked: KEUFFEL & ESSER N.Y. Each piece is marked: 12.
2) 4-1/4" German silver drawing compass with bendable legs and removable pencil point and pen point. Inside of one leg is marked: KEUFFEL & ESSER N.Y. Each piece is marked: 12.
3) 4-3/4" ebony, German silver, and steel drawing pen.
4) 3-3/4" German silver and steel drawing pen. The handle is broken and missing.
5) 1-1/8" cylindrical metal case with four leads. The case is marked: EAGLE PENCIL CO. (/) NEW YORK.
6) 3-1/2" German silver and steel bow dividers, bow pen, and bow pencil.
The case for leads and the broken pen are probably not part of the original set. At least two original instruments are missing. No case exactly like this one or with the catalog number "12" was found in Keuffel & Esser catalogs between 1880 and 1943. Descendants of James Smith donated the set in 1965.
