Collections Item Detail

DescriptionArchitect's Y Level with Compass, model 5113, made by Keuffel & Esser Co., New York, no date, (1906.) Brass and glass, circa 11" long x 4" wide x 7" high; 14" long with long focus and sunshade. Serial number on compass face: 11203. With original mahogany case with fitted softwood interior; printed white celluloid K&E plate; printed label of George E. Mitchell, Seattle, Washington. Lacking: all accessories except sunshade and tripod (see below); printed instructions. Also called a Builder's Y [Wye] Level with Compass. The model name and number does not appear on the object, but was determined from catalogue description and illustration on page 387 of the 33rd edition catalog of 1909 and the numerals inscribed inside lid (see text below.) The date of manufacture was determined from the serial number, 11203. That number places it as manufactured in 1906 based on "First Instruments of the Year" serial number chart in January 1991 issue of Surveyor's Historical Society magazine, "Backsights." This item was accompanied by its wooden tripod, K&E model 5176, (objects catalogue 2009.006.0267) which is as called for in the kit described in catalogue. Company name appears on the compass dial: "Keuffel & Esser Co. | New York." The plate inside the lid, 1-3/8" x 7/16" high, has the company name and three branch offices. The model number is deeply hand scribed inside lid at the center. Patent numbers on level bar below south end of compass. K&E had their factories in Hoboken when it was made.