I deal in and sell antique surveying instruments and
related science and technology antiques.
If you have an antique surveyor's instrument to sell, please contact us at
LCM@AntiqBuyer.com
or the phone number above.
Wye Dumpy and Railroad Levels
As
dealers of
American antique surveyor's instruments
and vintage
tools we
deal in and sell many different types of antique surveying instruments
and related vintage accessories a surveyor, architect, engineer
or builder would use in his
trade.
I am
interested in many different forms of early survey instruments including early Wye and
engineer's levels or farm levels
and dumpy levels.
In general surveyors levels pre-date transits and came
after the introduction of surveying compasses. They were made and offered for specific applications where the
user does not have the need to shoot vertical angles.
Levels were designed and offered for different applications and
oftentimes their names are an indication of that use. Examples are
railroad levels, architects levels, farm or drainage levels, dumpy
levels and more.
Surveying transits evolved from the basic level when early designers like William Young thought to marry
the concept of the compass and level together to meet the evolving needs of his
clientele.
The most popular collectible antique surveying instruments, transits and levels come in a variety of finishes ranging from
natural brass to clear or colored lacquer over
brass to different color anodized finishes that are applied to the brass
bodies.
Later instruments were
finished in matte or paint finish sometimes referred to as crinkle and in general
these later instruments are not as collectible and are more often sold
to casual users who may prefer vintage instruments. .
If you have antique surveying instruments or
vintage surveyor's tools that are similar to those that you see pictured on this page that you want to
sell, please contact me at LCM@AntiqBuyer.com
with as many details as possible, including the size, the maker's name, or
any other important written information that is given.
This style o
f instrument,
known as a convertible level could be set up
as either a standard level (as shown), or by using the pieces shown the instrument could be
turned 90 degrees, reinserted in it's stand and be used as a basic if not crude transit. These complex
looking, but relatively simple survey devices were mostly aimed at casual or less professional users or home builders and were produced
in large numbers, and do not command large sums of money. I also buy Wye levels, dumpy levels and engineers
levels that look similar but are typically larger and longer than this
level pictured here. 
Selling Antique
Surveying Instruments
Pictures
of the instrument you want to sell and the asking price would be a great help, and without them it is going to be difficult to
determine if there is a real interest in your piece. Just telling me
you have a Gurley, a Berger, or a David White, etc. and giving me the
serial number is not enough information.. Asking me what is it worth would be like me asking
you what my car is worth, without me telling you anything
more about it other than that it is a Toyota. In most cases it simply can not be done with so
little information.
The list of
desireable surveying instrument makers
is extensive, and
starts with such famous makers as Rittenhouse, who made instruments during
George Washington's time, to the more well known and
prolific makers like W. E. Gurley,
Lietz, Buff, Berger, Heller & Brightly, Keuffel and Esser, Roach,
Sala, or Queen & Co. to name just a few.
There are numerous early makers of surveying instruments that have normal given
names that were in business for varying periods of time in the 19th
century. The list of individual maker names is extensive and can not
really be given here but there is interest in many of these lesser known
makers as well.
I am also
interested in buying early tripods or staffs that came with most
surveying instruments. They can come in a variety of sizes and
configurations.
Examples of Select
Antique Surveying Instruments
Previously Sold
*****Click
links below*****
The surveying instruments
listed below are examples of the
caliber, condition and quality of antique surveying instruments and equipment that I am primarily interested in
buying.
If you have quality antique surveying instruments similar to those that you see
on this page that you want to sell, please contact us at
LCM@AntiqBuyer.com
providing me with as many details as possible. Thank you!!
To see other examples of antique
surveying instruments and related equipment that I have for sale, and have
sold in the past, please go to our sister site
at www.Patented-Antiques.com.and
visit the surveying related sale pages you will find there.
