Skip to main content

Video Loading

1 of 9

Beautiful Circa 1830s Lewis Michael Surveyors Compass

$9,750List Price

About the Item

In an article published in The American Surveyor (Winter 2007), Jeff Lock, noted Colonial Instrument Collector and Repair Person, said it best:   "When I first laid my eyes on the Lewis Michael compass illustrated here, words could not describe the emotions I felt. I was looking at one of the most beautifully engraved examples of the 18th-century maker’s art. I have been collecting colonial antiques for decades and had never seen an example of craftsmanship that touched me on a personal level as did this instrument."  The Lewis Michael compass offered here is nearly identical to the one featured in Lock's article. To my eye, this compass qualifies as a work of art. Michael Lewis honed his skills working for Benjamin Rittenhouse as an apprentice in the mid-1780s. If you look thru the Benjamin Rittenhouse compasses, you will see some that show a strong resemblance to the compass offered here.   Interestingly, Lewis Michael made instruments over at least 4 decades, and he rarely changed the look of his compasses. This compass was likely made around 1830 when Lewis Michael lived in Somerset.  The compass features a 14 inch mainplate with a 5.5 inch compass needle. The compass has a nicely functioning chain counter and a functioning level in the compass face.   The compass comes with a beautiful wood box - likely the original.   This compass is a wonderful example of a colonial era compass made by one of the most skilled engravers. Biographical info about Lewis Michael: Lewis Michael was born in 1762 in Germany. In 1786 after completing apprenticeship with Benjamin Rittenhouse he is listed as a journeyman in Worchester Township Montgomery County PA . From 1787 to about 1798 he had shop in Yorktown York County PA and was making surveyors compasses under his own name. Three compasses are known marked York or Yorktown. About 1800 he moved to Baltimore where he and his brother were in business together as dry goods merchants. By 1815 he was back in Pennsylvania at McConnellsburg working as a clockmaker. No compasses are known with this address. In about 1827 he moved to Somerset Boro where he is listed as a silver smith or watchmaker. Four compasses are known marked Somerset. He remained in Somerset Boro until 1850 when he moved to Shade Twp to live with his daughter. He died there in 1852. Like all nearly 200 year old surveying instruments, this compass has a few flaws worth noting. First, one of the sight vanes is bent very slight. Hardly noticeable. I suspect this compass took a tumble at some point. Second, the female socket on the underside of the compass has a crack going up the lenth of the socket. Again, hardly noticeable. Third, the as you can see from the pics, the compass is missing several original screws from the underside of the compass. The missing screws do not impact the overall appearance of the compass however.

Dimensions:
Height: 3 in (7.62 cm)Width: 6 in (15.24 cm)Depth: 14 in (35.56 cm)
Materials and Techniques:
Brass
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
1830-1839
Date of Manufacture:
Circa 1830s
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
Placerville, CA
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU9222236663502

You May Also Like

Antique Vineyard Setter s Compass, French, Brass, Surveyor s Instrument, C.1900

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

This is an antique vineyard setter's compass. A French, brass surveyor's instrument with mahogany case and stand, dating to the late Victorian period, c...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique Vineyard Setter
s Compass, French, Brass, Surveyor
s Instrument, C.1900

Antique Vineyard Setter s Compass, French, Brass, Surveyor s Instrument, C.1900

$2,266

H 4.14 in W 8.08 in D 4.14 in

1900s Brass Bakelite Magnetic Topographer Compass Surveyor Measurement Instrumen

Located in Milan, IT

Magnetic topographer compass from the early 1900s, brass and bakelite base; instrument consisting of a magnetized needle free to rotate on a horizontal plane, marking with its tip th...

Category

Antique Early 1900s European Desk Sets

Materials

Brass

1900s Brass Bakelite Magnetic Topographer Compass Surveyor Measurement Instrumen

1900s Brass Bakelite Magnetic Topographer Compass Surveyor Measurement Instrumen

$1,021

H 1 in W 3.6 in D 2.8 in

Antique Brass Scottish Surveyor s Compass in Fitted Wooden Box

Located in Hamilton, Ontario

This antique surveyor's compass originates from Scotland and dates to approximately 1880 and made in the period Victorian style. The compass case is composed of solid brass with a me...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Scottish Victorian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Brass

Antique Brass Scottish Surveyor
s Compass in Fitted Wooden Box

Antique Brass Scottish Surveyor s Compass in Fitted Wooden Box

$1,195

H 4.75 in W 11 in D 8 in

Elegant Miniature Swedish Karl Johan Mahogany Chiffonnière, 1830s

Located in Knivsta, SE

Miniature Swedish Karl Johan Mahogany Chiffonnière, 1830s Evoking the refined elegance of the Swedish Karl Johan period, this exquisite miniature chiffonnière captures the architect...

Category

Antique 1830s Swedish Karl Johan Models and Miniatures

Materials

Brass

Elegant Miniature Swedish Karl Johan Mahogany Chiffonnière, 1830s

Elegant Miniature Swedish Karl Johan Mahogany Chiffonnière, 1830s

$2,246

Free Shipping

H 10.83 in W 8.67 in D 5.91 in

Pair of Trumpet-Shaped Miniature Brass Candlesticks from, 1830s

Located in Knivsta, SE

A pair of cute trumpet-shaped miniature brass candlesticks in Karl Johan, during the 1830s. Wear consistent with age and use.

Category

Antique 1830s Swedish Karl Johan Candlesticks

Materials

Brass

Pair of Trumpet-Shaped Miniature Brass Candlesticks from, 1830s

Pair of Trumpet-Shaped Miniature Brass Candlesticks from, 1830s

$648 / set

Free Shipping

H 3.55 in Dm 1.97 in

Yachting Binnacle Compass Circa 1920

Located in Norwell, MA

Early twentieth century yacht binnacle from T.S and J.D. Negus of New York. Negus were famous ships chandlers located at South Street Seaport in New York. With gimballed compass from...

Category

Vintage 1920s North American Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

Yachting Binnacle Compass Circa 1920

Yachting Binnacle Compass Circa 1920

$3,395

H 36 in W 12 in D 12 in

Vintage Surveyor s Level, Brass, Scientific Instrument, Engineering, Circa 1950

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

This is a vintage surveyor's level. An English, brass scientific instrument with enamelled finish, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1950. Appe...

Category

Mid-20th Century British Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Vintage Surveyor
s Level, Brass, Scientific Instrument, Engineering, Circa 1950

Vintage Surveyor s Level, Brass, Scientific Instrument, Engineering, Circa 1950

$922

H 3.75 in W 9.85 in D 6.5 in

English Victorian Surveyor s Measure

Located in Queens, NY

English Victorian-style painted wood and brass adjustable surveyor\'s measure.

Category

Antique 19th Century British Victorian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

English Victorian Surveyor
s Measure

English Victorian Surveyor s Measure

$1,650

H 75.75 in W 3 in D 2.25 in

Compass with Pocket Sundial, with Case, Bronze, Butterfield, Michael 1635-1724

Located in Madrid, ES

Compass with pocket sundial, with case. Bronze. BUTTERFIELD, Michael (1635-1724). Paris, circa 1700. Pocket sundial made of engraved metal, with a gno...

Category

Antique Early 18th Century French Neoclassical Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Bronze, Other

Compass with Pocket Sundial, with Case, Bronze, Butterfield, Michael
1635-1724

Compass with Pocket Sundial, with Case, Bronze, Butterfield, Michael 1635-1724

$4,084

H 2.96 in W 3.35 in D 0.79 in

English Mahogany Banjo Barometer. Circa 1830

Located in Charleston, SC

English mahogany banjo barometer with centered brass finial in scrolled pediment, glass encased thermometer, ebonized reeded mirror, original ...

Category

Antique 19th Century British Scientific Instruments

English Mahogany Banjo Barometer. Circa 1830

English Mahogany Banjo Barometer. Circa 1830

$5,800

H 38 in W 10 in

Still Thinking About These?

All Recently Viewed

More Ways To Browse

Antique Box Compass

Surveying Instrument

Antique Survey Instruments

Antique Surveying Instruments

Antique Surveyor Compass

Antique Silver Compass

Folk Art Mushroom Specimens

Stick Barometer

Telescope Tripod

Weights And Scales Antique

Barograph Antique

Lorgnette Opera Glasses

Opera Lorgnette

Antique Brass Microscope Scientific Instruments

Antique Brass Opera Glasses

Antique Browning Camera

Antique Eastman Furniture

View All Popular Scientific Instruments Searches