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."

Square mirror on straight metal and wooden handle.

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.

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).

This telescope consists of a 35" brass tube with a 2.95" aperture, and focal length of approximately 25". There is an integral folding brass stand, for use on a table. There are two terrestrial and four astronomical eyepieces, all of the Huygens type, the use of which is described in an instruction sheet affixed to the box. The small intermediate lens, a cemented doublet of 1.4" characteristic of this type of telescope, is located within the tube. The instrument is Inscribed: "Dialytical telescope for the use of the American Philosophical Society held at Philadelphia. Invented 1832 and made by S. Plösel in Vienna the 1 of August 1834." (Robert P. Multhauf, "Catalogue of Instruments and Models," 1961).

Brass construction, mahogany covered, one telescoping section. 1 5/8" aperture. Length 20" closed, 35 1/2" extended. Marked "Blunt, Cornhill, London." (Robert P. Multhauf, "Catalogue of Instruments and Models," 1961).

Two blocks of wood, hinged to be closed for carrying. A compass is set in the lower block. Both blocks are scaled to the gnomon which is a thread extending diagonally between them. The cover block has on its exterior surface a rotatable wooden disc with pointer and scale. Marked with tables and scales in Chinese script. Down the sides of the dial are 13 holes for setting the angle of the lunar dial. (Robert P. Multhauf, "Catalogue of Instruments and Models," 1961).

Brass instrument, with horizontal dial with a 5 3/8" needle and scale from 0 to 110. The needle is mounted on a vertical spindle about 5" long. The spindle is mounted on bearings at top and bottom, the latter being a needle in the center of a mica disc. A fine spiral spring extends over 4" of the spindle, and is attached to it at the bottom and to the frame at the top. The spindle and spring are covered by a brass housing which can be pulled off. Instrument has ill-fitting top which may not be original. Top is inscribed with "S. Homer May 27 1863" and "Samuel Homer Aug 27 1863."

Brass instrument on wooden stand. Inscription on brass says "Pixii, Neveu et Succeur de Dumotiez a Paris." Paper label on base says "The property of Dr. Hare value [?] Smithsonian."

Ten-pound precision balance in brass. Ivory balance indicators are mounted on columns of the supporting frame. The pans are supported by rigid rods suspended from the balance arm.

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.

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).

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."

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).

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 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).

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

Plaster model of a three-dimensional surface. The printed inscription reads, "Model of the magnetic surface presented in the discussion Part II of the magnetic observations made at the Girard College Philadelphia between 1840 and 1845, by Prof. A.D. Bache. Const. and modeled by Ferdinand Engel, Washington, D.C. 1862." A handwritten description reads, "Presented by A.D. Bache." The observations which this model records are described in a 36-page pamphlet published by the Smithsonian Institution in 1863. A note with the model states that Bache intended to make two more models of the horizontal and vertical forces; one of these is now at the Smithsonian.