1870 James Reed & Co. Verner Surveying Compass

Description

This is a well used example of a large American vernier compass made by James Reed & Co. about 1870.  There are only about a dozen examples of compasses by Reed known to have survived, so this is a pretty rare maker.  It is a complete compass with the original box, however you can see in the photos there are a couple condition issues. Since a compass like this was a big investment and allowed a surveyor to make a living, they had to improvise to keep the compass in working order: this one has some solder on the underside presumably some kind of repair although there is nothing obvious wrong? and the thumb screws on the sight vanes appear to be replacements.  None the less it is a great display piece by a rare maker of American surveying compasses.
Postage will be if within the US, more if you are outside the US.
Serial number                                   417
Angular precision                             1 minute
Length                                              15 1/2 inches
Compass needle                              5 3/4 inches
Here is some information on the maker James Reed:
James Reed
1792-1878
James Reed was first listed in the Pittsburgh directories at 439 Market Street in 1847 as a watch maker and jeweler. He began trading as James Reed & Co. in 1850, and in 1852 advertised as "Manufacturers of theodolites, surveyors compasses, leveling & grading instruments, which continues through the 1882-83 directory.
The members of the firm, comprised of James Reed, James R. Reed and G. M. Reed, came from Washington, Pa., where the senior member, James Reed had been in business thirty years. They were located and established at No. 36 Smithfield Street, where they remained until Ja
n
uary, 1855. The necessities of the business requiring it, they removed to No. 68
Fifth avenue, ( now No. 94) where they remain
ed
for over 21 years after which time they moved to 93 (now 439 )
Market street where they are still located. The senior member of the firm having been engaged in the manufacture of en
gineering and surveyor’s instru
ments in Washington, the same business was continued and extended here until the breaking out of the war, when the watch and jewelry business increasing compelled the abandonment of their manufactory. Since that time the firm have confined themselves to the watch and jewelry business exclusively. The firm continued as constituted until the death of the senior member, in 1878, since which time the surviving members have continued the business.
This firm has always had a high reputation in matters pertaining to time, for many years having furnished the time to the city from transit observations. They are also high authorities on time-pieces, being members of the examining boards for examining the watches used by the engineers of several of the railroads centering in this city. The high character attained by over forty years’ of fair dealing gives this firm an enviable position among the business interests of the smoky City.
Some personal information about James Reed
:
James was the son of David and Margaret May Reed, was born on a farm near Washington, Pa.. April 10th, 1793. He early developed a wonderful taste for mechanics and when a boy in the field made computations for clock wheels with chalk on the soles of his shoes. His father thinking this a waste of time that should be devoted to farm work would say, "0 Jimmie, Jimmie, you will never amount to anything." Notwithstanding this dire prediction, "Jimmie" became an excellent mechanic in several different branches of work. He became a cabinet maker, silversmith, watch and watch case maker, and an engraver. His green house was the finest in Western Pennsylvania.
He was married at age 24 on May 6, 1817 to Jane Ann Allison in Chambersburg, Franklin County, PA.
1820-1840 they resided in Washington, PA at age 27
When he went into business, he rapidly established a reputation as an expert jeweler, clock and watch maker, and maker of engineering and mathematical instruments.
April 10th, 1849, he moved with his family from Washington a
nd went into business with his son, James R. Reed, in Pittsburgh, in the jewelry, clock and mathematical instrument business.
He was one of the first, as well as most expert engineering instrument makers in the city and at the time of his death, was one of its oldest business men. He was one of the early abolishionists and was associated with Birney and Dr. Julius LeMoyne in their efforts to free the negroes. He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, a man of spotless integrity, a dignified gentleman, a thorough and consistent Christian.
James Reed died at the residence of his son, James R. Reed, on Fayette Street, Allegheny City, Pa., June 5th, 1878, and was buried in the Cemetery at Washington, Pa. MARTHA ALISON : Daughter of Joseph and Ann Cooper Alison, was born in Chambersburg, Pa., Tuesday, March
19th, 1793. Married in Chambersburg in 1814 to JAMES W. McKEMEY, of Washington, Pa.
James W. McKemey was born in 1787. Died Friday, May 31st, 1816, at Washington, Pa. Buried in the Slagle lot in the Washington Cemetery. After the death of Mr. McKemey, his widow returned to
her home in Chambersburg, Pa.