I just added a compass to my collection. The dealer told me that some other folks were interested. Maybe it was someone on this forum?
The face is labeled "Thos. Whitney, Maker, Philidephia". The box has a paper label reading "W. & L.E. Gurley, Troy, N.Y."
With North on the top of the circle, East is on the right and West is on the left, not the reverse as many surveyor's compasses are in order to directly read bearings. The needle is 5 inches long, and it has 2 level vials.
According to research by Robert C. Whitney published at www.compleatesurveyor.comMakersWhitney.htm
it seems that this instrument dates about 1806. Anyone else agree or disagree?
Also, it seems that the same maker supplied compasses to the Lewis and Clark expedition just a few years prior to making this intrument. Cool!
