Life-sized bust of balding man with classical drapery over shoulders. Cast in shoulder: "DOCTOR BOWDITCH/ EXECUTED IN MARBLE/ BY BALL HUGHES/ FOR THE/ SOCIETY OF ARTS/ AND SCIENCES/ BOSTON." Base is a cast-on replica of a book. On sculptured book forming base: "TRAITE DE MECANIQUE CELESTE/ of La Place." Brass tag on left front of book spine: "Nathaniel Bowditch 1773-1838." After c. 1837 bust by artist.

This ship's log consists of a vertical-turned brass rod with a slot in the top for a pulley or fulcrum which is missing. A pair of shorter rods support between them a pivoted brass quadrant which is scaled but not numbered. The base is scaled radially from the axis of the quadrant. Inscribed "Porters A Conno(e)r" on the base. Paper on underside label marked "Porter Constant Log." (Robert P. Multhauf, "Catalogue of Instruments and Models," 1961).

Brass compass with a variation arc on the north arm, and a level vial on the south arm. Signed "T. Whitney / Maker / Philadelphia" on compass face. The instrument is dated "1814" under socket. It is in its original condition, with the exception of the Jacob's Staff attachment screw, which was added at a later date.

Brass sextant marked "Stancliffe, Maker, Philadelphia." 8" radius. Scaled 0-155, in 1/2 degrees. There are two interchangeable telescopic sights, and the micrometer is read with a microscope. The instrument is boxed and has a leather carrying case. (Robert P. Multhauf, "Catalogue of Instruments and Models," 1961).

Two-draw hand telescope; brass, with mahogany barrel. The eye-piece is protected by a sliding guard; a brass cap fits over the end of the barrel. No maker's mark. Probably of English origin, about 1800. Retains its original chamois case.

Brass sundial with three adjustable legs and two levels attached to the side. Engraved along perimeter of top of compass: "Paris 49 Londres 51 St Petersbourg 59 Madrid 41 Milan 45", along with sundial's numerical position. Engraved on underside of compass: "Lisbonne 42 Constantinople 41 Berlin 52 Vienne 48 Hambourg 53."

Nine instruments housed in original wooden case covered in leather or sharkskin. The top of the case is hinged at one side, and held shut by a snap fastening. Inside the top is a printed label: "McAllister & Co./48 Chestnut Street/Philadelphia. Have constantly for sale, cases of/Mathematical Instruments/For Schools, Wholesale & Retail/Dividers, Gunter's Scales, Parallel Rules, Brass and Ivory Protractors, etc. separate from the case." Around the wall of the top is pasted a strip of paper, bearing handwritten inscriptions - "$3 1/4 /N60K/n fli/gfi DW Mr/ No 160-9/str purchd March 18 1847/of McAllister." Contains nine drafting instruments: divider, compass with five attachments, ivory scale, parallel rule, and scaled semicircle.

Brass instrument. In a box labeled, "J.H. Onderdewyngaart, Canzius a Delft. La Fabrique des instruments de physique et de mathematique a Delft." (Robert P. Multhauf, "Catalogue of Instruments and Models," 1961).

Coat of Arms of Penn family of Pennsylvania. 1877 plaster cast of original Mason-Dixon 5-mile "Crownstone" line marker from 1763-1767.

Crest of Calvert family of Maryland. 1877 Plaster cast of original Mason-Dixon 5-mile "Crownstone" line marker from 1763-1767.

Brass circular box of 3" diameter, 1 3/4" high, into which is built a sextant. Unmarked.

Rembrandt Peale painted this half-length portrait of Robert Patterson in 1830, copying his own original 1812 portrait. Seated sideways on a chair, the subject directs his gaze toward the viewer’s left in three-quarter profile. Patterson wears a double-breasted cordovan-colored overcoat, a charcoal-colored vest, and a translucent, pleated white cravat and bow-tie. His fleshy face is rendered in detail, with naturalistically figured cheeks, jowls, eyes, and nose. The background fades from dark to light brown behind the sitter. The surface of the canvas is unusually regular; this consistency is likely the result of conservation efforts from 1937. While this portrait has been assessed as "oil-on-canvas," Peale may have used an encaustic (wax-based) medium when the APS requested the commission in 1830.