Hand-blown, green glass tube, rounded and sealed at both ends. One end is chipped. Unmarked. (Robert P. Multhauf, "Catalogue of Instruments and Models," 1961).

Circular glass plate on spindle turning through four leather-covered pads to generate static electricity. Two of the pads marked "Haut" and "Bas." Standing on extended wooden platform. Conductors and other attachments are missing.

Insulated glass container with platinum wires, brass, and mesh. Presented along with the papers of William Francis Gray Swann (APS Library).

Rotating drum, grooved and marked from 0 to 100 in 1-unit increments around circumference. Drum is turned with a protruding knob. Wood stand is marked "Fritz Kohler Leipzig."

Brass variation transit (magnetometer), in oak box. Instrument has two telescope assemblies.

Bamboo cane with staghorn or bone handle and metal collar. Hole extending through the handle. Inscription on collar: "Exemplum adest ipse homo."

Marked "Potts and Rittenhouse." 6" compass set in 13 3/4" sighting arm with sights 6 1/4" high. On walnut tripod. (Robert P. Multhauf, "Catalogue of Instruments and Models," 1961).

Incomplete theodolite. Two fixed sight vanes are mounted to the horizontal circle, which is attached to the tripod assembly through the socket. Rotating compass and alidade with vernier blades in center. Signed "B. Chandlee Nottingham" along outer circle. Analysis of the alidade by a Scanning Electron Microscope in 2007 revealed that it contained silicon, most likely originating from a mixture of silicon bronze, a product that was not developed until the late 19th to early 20th century. Therefore, the alidade is not original to the piece.

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).

This telescope includes a 2" aperture. Its length is 10 1/4" closed, 32 1/4" extended. It is constructed out of brass and the outermost telescoping section is covered with reddened wood. This instrument is marked, "Plösel in Wien." Handwriting on tube reads: "Presented to the Am. Philos. Society Philadelphia / By Charles Nagy Member of the Hungarian Acady / attached is Imperial -- Vienna -- of Sciences of Pest-- / Jany 4, 1833." (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.

Rectangular wood dial covered with paper consisting of two leaves that fold flat. The dial is surrounded by a decorative border with a floral pattern. String gnomon (no longer extant) would attach between the inner surfaces of the two leaves. Exterior top: list of cities in the Americas, Italy, France, Spain, and Germany along with sundial's numerical position. Interior: sundial base and embedded compass (no longer functioning).

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."

Brass drum microscope stored in a wooden box with three glass slides, labeled in French: "ver à soie Trachées," "aile de Mouche," and "Angles d'araignée." Label inside box reads "JAMES W. QUEEN & CO / OPTICIANS, ____ WALNUT ST., PHILADELPHIA."

Received as a set with optical set (58.56b). additional small box with 7 extra pieces on shelf with 58.56b. Compound microscope, 14 1/2" high; unmarked.

The telescope is made of brass and consists of a 33 1/2" tube on 25" axis with a 1 3/4" aperture and a focal length of 32". Mounted on a brass stand of two rigidly connected A-frames, for use on a table. There are crossed hairs in focal plane, semi-circular scale of 9" radius attached to the bottom of the tube, and a suspended spirit level. Its construction is generally in accordance with earlier European convention. Unmarked. (Robert P. Multhauf, "Catalogue of Instruments and Models," 1961).

Mahogany block with inset compass and cover. Possibly contemporary inked inscription, "Belonging to the globes presented by W. & S. Jones, 18 April 1800." (Robert P. Multhauf, "Catalogue of Instruments and Models," 1961).

Pine case without embellishment. The dial is 10 5/8" diameter, probably of cold silvered brass. Unmarked. Heavy brass plates with a pillar at each of the four corners contain the deadbeat escapement and going train of two many-toothed wheels. The motion work is between the dial and front plate. A small gear on the #2 gear arbor drives a large gear carrying the minute hand. The hour hand is driven by the latter gear through a compound idler gear and pinion. The second hand is mounted on the escape wheel arbor. The pendulum vibrates seconds and is mercury compensated. It is in two pieces connected by a yoke, and suspended by two springs. A thermometer is mounted on the back of the case. (Robert P. Multhauf, "Catalogue of Instruments and Models," 1961).

Brass octagonal plate with gnomon. Conventional style of horizontal pedestal dial. Marked "John Iles, Londini, 1725, Sunny Hours." Inscribed figure of Father Time.