Inventions & Technology - LIVE
Listing ID#: 898633

Sale Location
8512 S. Union Rd.
Union, IL 60180
Sale Dates and Times
Saturday Sep 26,
Sale Type
   Live with Online Auction  VIEW ONLINE CATALOG
Company Information
Donley Auctions

Contact: Randy Donley
Phone: 815.923.7000
Email: info@donleyauctions.com
Website: donleyauctions.com

EstateSale.com ID#: 7972
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Listing Terms and Conditions
INTRODUCTION
These Terms and Conditions of Sale govern all auctions conducted by Donley Auction Services ("Donley Auctions"), including those conducted online, via absentee bid, by phone, and in person. Donley Auction Services acts solely as an agent for consignors. Any announcements made by the auctioneer on the day of the auction take precedence over any printed, digital, or online information.

1. BINDING CONTRACT
By registering and bidding, you enter into a legally binding contract and agree to accept all terms and conditions outlined herein.
" COMMUNICATION CONSENT: Registration grants Donley Auction Services permission to contact you via email or text message regarding invoices, upcoming auctions, and company updates.
" MEDIA RELEASE: By entering the auction premises, all attendees, bidders, and guests consent to being photographed, filmed, and/or audio-recorded. Registration and/or attendance constitutes irrevocable permission for Donley Auction Services to use your likeness, voice, and image in any promotional, marketing, digital, or broadcast media worldwide without compensation.

2. BUYER'S PREMIUM & FEES
A standard base Buyer's Premium is added to the hammer price of every lot. If you use an online bidding platform, a platform fee is added to your total based on the system you choose:
Base Buyer's Premium
" Credit Card Payment: 22.5%
" Cash, Check, or Wire Transfer: 18.0% (reflects a 4.5% cash discount)
Online Platform Fees
Added to your base Buyer's Premium:
" In-House or Phone Bidding:
o No additional platform fee.
" Donley Auctions Online Platform (bid.donleyauctions.com):
o Add 3% platform fee.
" Third-Party Online Platforms (e.g. LiveAuctioneers, AuctionZip, Proxibid, HiBid):
o Add 5% external platform fee.
" Invaluable Online Bidding Platform
Invaluable manages its own sliding-scale platform fees independently. (Note: Invaluable's exact fee is displayed on your bidding screen before you confirm your bid.) Your total cost is your base Buyer's premium plus Invaluable's platform fee:
" Invaluable Platform Fee Structure:
o Lots priced at $200.00 and under: Flat s$10.00 fee
o Lots priced from $200.01 to $9,999.99: 5% fee
o Lots priced at $10,000.00 and over: Capped at $500.00

3. DISCLAIMER: MULTIPLE BIDDING PLATFORMS
Donley Auctions utilizes multiple synchronized bidding platforms. To ensure fairness, bidders must acknowledge the following:
" COMPETING BIDS: Absentee bids placed on one platform will compete actively with live bids and pre-bids from other platforms.
" REAL-TIME DELAYS: Electronic platforms are subject to internet latency. Even if your screen indicates you are the high bidder, the auctioneer may have already accepted a competing bid from the floor, phone, or an alternate platform.
" TIE BIDS: In the event of a tie bid or identical bid amounts, the Auctioneer retains sole discretion to accept the first bid recognized by the clerk. This includes pre-bids or absentee bids placed days or weeks in advance; early electronic submission timestamps do not grant automatic priority or preference over other active bids.
" RECOMMENDATION: To secure your items, bidders are strongly encouraged to bid LIVE or enter a true maximum absentee bid amount.

4. ITEM DESCRIPTIONS & CONDITION ("AS IS")
" ALL SALES FINAL: All property is sold AS IS, WHERE IS. There are absolutely no refunds, exchanges, or returns for any reason.
" NO WARRANTIES: Donley Auctions makes no representations or warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. The bidder is the sole judge of value, condition, age, authenticity, and origin. The absence of a condition report does not imply that a lot is free from wear, imperfections, or the effects of aging.
" INSPECTIONS & REPORTS: Descriptions and photos are courtesy estimates. Items valued under $1,000 are collated only upon explicit request. We strongly encourage in-person inspection during previews. Off-site bidders assume responsibility for requesting a formal condition report via email (Info@DonleyAuctions.com) prior to bidding. Donley Auctions is not responsible for errors or omissions in catalog descriptions.
" COPYRIGHTS & IMAGE USE:
o NO TRANSFER OF RIGHTS: Buying a physical item does not transfer any copyright or reproduction rights to the purchaser.
o OUR PHOTOS ARE PROTECTED: All photographs, graphics, and descriptions in our catalogs are the exclusive intellectual property of Donley Auction Services and our photographers. Purchasing an item does NOT grant you the right to use our photos for resale listings, commercial marketing, or personal use.
o ARRANGEMENTS REQUIRED: If you wish to utilize any auction photographs, you must contact our office prior to use to request permission and make formal arrangements with the photographer.
o DONLEY PROMOTIONAL RIGHTS: Donley Auction Services retains the permanent, unrestricted right to feature images and descriptions of all sold lots in past auction archives, on social media, and in future promotional or broadcast materials.

5. BIDDING MECHANICS & RESERVES
" RESERVES: Certain lots may be subject to a confidential minimum price (reserve). The auctioneer reserves the right to open bidding below the reserve and bid on behalf of the seller up to the reserve amount.
" UNRESERVED LOTS: For lots without a reserve, bidding generally opens at half of the low estimate. If no bid is received, the auctioneer may pass or reverse-bid until an opening bid is established.
" PASSING OF TITLE: The highest bidder acknowledged by the auctioneer shall be the purchaser. Title passes immediately upon the fall of the auctioneer's hammer, at which point the buyer assumes full risk, liability, and responsibility for the lot.
" DISPUTES: The auctioneer has final, absolute discretion to resolve active bidding disputes or re-offer a lot. In all post-sale disputes, the Tie Bid policy outlined in Section 3 applies, and Donley Auction Services' official sale record is definitive.

6. PAYMENT POLICY
" INVOICING TIMELINES:
o DONLEY PLATFORM, IN-HOUSE, & MOST THIRD-PARTY PLATFORMS: Invoices are transmitted via email shortly after the sale concludes, typically within one hour of the auction's conclusion.
o LIVEAUCTIONEERS DELAYS: Due to additional manual steps required by LiveAuctioneers' "LiveShipping" program, these invoices cannot be sent the night of the sale. Bidders utilizing LiveAuctioneers will receive their invoices via email, typically within 1 to 2 business days following the auction.
" PAYMENT DEADLINES: Payment or payment confirmation is due within 24 hours of receiving your invoice.
" CASH/CHECK DISCOUNT VERIFICATION: To qualify for the discounted cash buyer's premium, you must contact our office at 815-923-7000 within 24 hours of receiving your invoice to confirm your intent to pay via Cash, Cashier's Check, Money Order, or Wire Transfer. Wire Transfers incur a $15 fee. Cashier's Checks and Money Orders must be sent via Priority or Express Mail with tracking.
" AUTOPAY & PRE-AUTHORIZATION: For platforms utilizing automated payment systems (e.g., LiveAuctioneers, Proxibid), the card provided at registration may be automatically charged 72 hours post-auction if alternative payment has not been finalized. Bidders grant Donley Auction Services irrevocable pre-authorization to charge the card on file for the full invoice amount, including premiums, taxes, and fees.
" SALES TAX: A 7.5% Union, IL sales tax applies to all Illinois residents and all in-person pick-ups. Applicable state sales taxes will be collected for out-of-state online buyers as required by law, unless a valid, signed resale certificate is filed with our office before the auction begins.
" HIGH-VALUE PURCHASES: All invoices exceeding $10,000, or any invoice containing Coins and Currency, must be settled exclusively via Wire Transfer, Cash, or Certified Funds.
" FIREARM LICENSE COMPLIANCE: A signed Federal Firearms License (FFL) is required for all firearm purchases within 2 days of the auction conclusion, regardless of the vintage (excluding most antiques and verified Curios & Relics eligible items). If a valid C&R license is not held, a standard FFL must be provided. Email all licenses directly to Shipping@DonleyAuctions.com with the customer's full name in the message body.
" DECLINES & CHARGEBACKS: If a credit card is declined, an alternative valid payment method must be provided immediately. Disputing a valid credit card charge for auction purchases constitutes a material breach of contract. The bidder will be held liable for all legal, collection, and administrative fees incurred by Donley Auction Services in resolving the matter.

7. NON-PAYMENT & REMEDIES
If an invoice is not settled in full with cleared funds within 5 business days of the auction date, Donley Auction Services reserves the right to exercise any or all of the following remedies:
" LATE FEES: Assess a late fee of 1.5% per 15 days on the outstanding balance.
" ACCOUNT DISPUTES: File a "Non-Paying Bidder" dispute with the respective bidding platforms, which may result in a permanent blacklist across global auction networks.
" RESALE & DEFICIENCY: Cancel the sale or resell the property at public or private auction. The original defaulting buyer remains liable for any financial deficiency, plus handling charges and commissions from both sales.
" LEGAL ACTION: Initiate legal proceedings for the recovery of the total balance due, including accumulated interest, court costs, and reasonable attorney fees.
" SECURITY INTEREST: The purchaser grants Donley Auction Services a security interest in any of their property currently in our possession, which may be retained as collateral until all debts are satisfied.

8. SHIPPING POLICY
CRITICAL: Donley Auctions In-House Shipping costs are not included in your auction invoice. Shipping is handled as a separate transaction through our fulfillment partner, Shipping Saint.
" LIVEAUCTIONEERS OPT-OUT REQUIRED: If you are bidding via LiveAuctioneers, you must select "Arrange Your Own Shipping" or "Local Pickup" during their checkout process. This action explicitly alerts our warehouse team to pack your items internally.
" THIRD-PARTY SHIPPING LIABILITY: If you fail to opt out and instead pay LiveAuctioneers directly for their automated shipping, your items will be turned over to their external carrier network. Donley Auctions disclaims all liability for third-party packing methods, transit times, rates, or any damage/loss incurred during transport.
" THE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING PROCESS: Once your auction invoice is settled in full, our shipping department will custom-pack your items. When your package is ready, you will receive a separate shipping invoice via text and email from Shipping Saint containing your tracking number and a secure payment link.
" FULFILLMENT TIMELINE: Please allow 2 to 4 weeks from the date your auction invoice is paid for our shipping department to securely pack your items. We handle a high volume of fragile goods, and careful packing takes time.
" OVERSIZED FREIGHT RESTRICTIONS: We do not pack or ship furniture, items weighing over 100 lbs, or excessively large or fragile freight. Buyers are entirely responsible for hiring independent third-party freight carriers. A list of recommended local haulers is available upon request.
" INTERNATIONAL RESTRICTIONS: Single items valued over $2,499 cannot be shipped via standard domestic carriers (USPS/FedEx) to international destinations. These must be managed by an international customs broker arranged entirely by the buyer.
" FIREARM & HAZMAT RESTRICTIONS: Firearm shipments may not include tracking information due to carrier and security regulations. California residents must provide an FFL for ammunition purchases. We cannot ship ammunition to Alaska or Hawaii. Under no circumstances can Donley Auctions pack or ship primers, reloading components, or any form of black powder.

9. LOCAL PICK-UP & STORAGE FEES
" BY APPOINTMENT ONLY: Buyers electing local pickup must contact Shipping@DonleyAuctions.com within 24 hours of receiving their invoice to schedule an appointment. You must notify us within this 24-hour window to decline shipping; otherwise, you may be charged for any packing materials and labor already expended on your lots.
" STORAGE DEADLINES: Due to strict warehouse space constraints, all items must be retrieved or shipping arrangements finalized within 5 days of the auction.
" STORAGE PENALTIES: Items left uncollected after 5 days will incur a storage fee of $20 per day, per lot. Items left uncollected after 30 days will be legally deemed abandoned and may be sold or disposed of without notice to recover storage costs.

10. AUCTIONEER DISCRETION
Donley Auction Services maintains absolute authority over the auction process. We reserve the right to refuse admission to the premises, reject any registration, deny bidding privileges to any individual, withdraw or re-catalog items prior to sale, or extend/restart an auction in the event of technical disruptions or unforeseen operational events.

11. LIABILITY & LEGAL VENUE
" LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: If a purchased lot is stolen, lost, damaged, or cannot be delivered in its original condition prior to pickup or shipping, Donley Auction Services' maximum liability shall be limited strictly to the actual financial amount paid by the purchaser for that lot.
" SEVERABILITY & GOVERNING LAW: These Conditions of Sale are governed by and construed under the laws of the State of Illinois. Any legal actions or proceedings arising from these terms shall be brought exclusively in the courts of McHenry County, Illinois. If any provision is deemed invalid or unenforceable, the remaining terms shall continue in full force and effect.

CONTACT US
" GENERAL INQUIRIES: Info@DonleyAuctions.com
" SHIPPING & LOGISTICS: Shipping@DonleyAuctions.com
" OFFICE PHONE: 815-923-7000
Listing Information
Featuring premier selections from the distinguished Dale Beeks, Allen Koenigsberg, and Howard Hazelcorn collections, this curated auction presents a captivating journey across the frontiers of early science, visual culture, and vintage entertainment. Physical expansion began on the frontier, where precision instruments mapped untamed landscapes. Central to this story is The Dale Beeks Collection, reflecting the life�s work of a nationally recognized authority, master restorer, and museum consultant who developed a passion for precision tools while surveying in Idaho. Highlights include 19th- and early 20th-century brass theodolites, transit levels, maritime sextants, and research microscopes from master makers like Bausch & Lomb, Cooke, Troughton & Simms, and Keuffel & Esser. Simultaneously, visual media and pre-cinema wonders tore down geographic walls: cased daguerreotypes, daguerrian tokens, ambrotypes, tintypes, magic lantern slides, zoetropes, and stereoview collections transported families to distant lands. Sound and industry bridged physical divides, as telegraph sounders tapped out Morse code, oak magneto telephones carried voices across continents, early light bulbs illuminated growing cities, and railroad lanterns guided engines linking communities. In laboratories, early electrotherapeutic cabinets and quack medicine devices pushed human vision and health past natural limits. Finally, this era culminated in pure wonder. Grand movie palaces offered cathedrals of escape through historic architectural elements, lobby relics, and theater seating, while antique Seeburg and Wurlitzer coin pianos brought automated music to parlor halls.

1001
W. F. Stanley Surveying Compass W/Case & Tripod
This is a remarkable 19th-century brass surveying instrument�specifically a dial/compass featuring a clinometer scale reading "Diff. of Hypo. & Base"�crafted by the renowned maker W. F. Stanley at Great Turnstile, Holborn, London. The set f...

1002
Vintage French Brass Surveyor Compass Set
An impressive vintage French brass surveyor's compass set, housing a finely detailed brass compass dial marked "FRANCE" alongside black folding sighting vanes and a removable brass mounting spindle, all neatly fitted within its original green felt-li...

1003
Gustav Heyde Dresden Transit & Tripod
An exceptional late 19th- to early 20th-century scientific surveying instrument by renowned precision maker Gustav Heyde of Dresden, Germany, bearing serial/model number 815. Crafted from painted brass, gunmetal gray housings, fine level vials, and d...

1004
Antique K&E Theodolite & Tripod Set
This exceptional early to mid-20th-century surveying set features a vintage Municipal Triangulation Theodolite (Model No. 5086V, Serial No. 60603) crafted by the renowned Keuffel & Esser Co. in Hoboken, New Jersey. A premier instrument of its era, it...

1005
Bausch & Lomb No. 55 Engineer's Transit
This is an exceptional "Engineers" Model No. 55 transit/tachymeter produced by the Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. of Rochester, NY, dating to approximately 1915. This precision instrument features a 5.5-inch horizontal limb, a 5-inch vertical circle, and ...

1006
Cooke, Troughton & Simms T65 & Tripod
This remarkable ensemble features a Model T65 "Tavistock" optical theodolite, precision-engineered by Cooke, Troughton & Simms of York, England, circa 1935, paired with a professional wooden surveying tripod. A masterpiece of British instrumentation,...

1007
Antique Saegmuller Brass Mining Transit
Crafted during the turn-of-the-century golden era of American precision instrument making, this early 1900s 5-inch mining transit is signed by Bausch, Lomb, Saegmuller Co. of Rochester, New York, with patent dates of September 1, 1903, and January 30...

1007
Wooden Surveyors Tripod
An excellent piece of industrial maritime and field engineering, this early 20th-century surveyor's transit tripod features heavy-duty split hardwood legs, original metal shoe tips, and a robust brass mounting collar with a 3-inch threaded ring desig...

1008
Inter-War David White Navy "NOL" Aero Theodolite
This rare WWII-era "Theodolite - Shore" (Aero-1928-USN) is a sophisticated piece of naval history manufactured by the David White Company of Milwaukee, WI. A standout feature of this unit is the "NOL" stamp on the base, identifying it as property of ...

1009
Bausch & Lomb Model 603 Theodolite & Case
This is a remarkable professional-grade Model 603 Theodolite from the prestigious Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. of Rochester, NY, dating to approximately 1916. A true "Triple Alliance" instrument, it features a 12-inch telescope equipped with a Saegmulle...

1010
Warren-Knight Model 25C Survey Transit Case/Tripod
This "Sterling" Model 25-C surveying transit was manufactured by the Warren-Knight Co. of Philadelphia on August 8, 1913. The precision instrument features a 6.25" horizontal limb, a 4.5" vertical circle, and an 11" telescope, centered by a deeply di...

1011
Vintage Dietzen Surveying Wooden Tripod
This mid-century surveyor's or engineer's tripod was manufactured by the Eugene Dietzgen Company in Chicago, Illinois. Crafted with solid hardwood legs and robust brass hardware�including top wing-nut fasteners, an upper threaded mounting head a...

1012
W. Mansfield Water Finder Kit, Case W/Tripod
A remarkably well-preserved Mansfield Patent Automatic Water Finder, manufactured by W. Mansfield & Co. in Birkenhead, England, dating to the early-to-mid 20th century. This highly specialized scientific instrument, historically used by surveyors and...

1013
Antique Troughton & Simms London Theodolite
An exceptional circa 1900 brass scientific instrument, this antique transit theodolite was manufactured by the renowned makers Troughton & Simms in London, England. Provenance labels inside the lid of the protective mahogany transit case note that th...

1014
Bausch & Lomb Saegmuller Precise Level
This highly significant engineering instrument is a Bausch & Lomb Saegmuller "Precise Level," manufactured in Rochester, N.Y., and built to U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey specifications circa 1907. A true collector's piece, the 17-inch telescope is c...

1015
Cooke Troughton & Simms Theodolite w/ Case
A remarkable example of British precision engineering, this 1935 Cooke, Troughton & Simms, Ltd. transit theodolite (Serial No. 35079) was manufactured in York, England. Featuring a 5-inch horizontal limb and a 5.25-inch vertical circle, this instrume...

1016
Antique Spears & Co. Surveyor's Compass
This exceptional mid-to-late 19th-century surveyor's dial compass reflects the fine instrument-making traditions of Dublin, Ireland. Explicitly marked "Spears & Co. 27 College Green Dublin," this scientific instrument features a beautifully engraved ...

1017
Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. Survey Transit W/Case
This professional-grade vintage survey transit, crafted by the renowned Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. of Rochester, N.Y. (Serial No. 10205), is a testament to early 20th-century American precision engineering. Research into Bausch & Lomb�s productio...

1017
Wooden Surveyor Transit Tripod
An exceptional early 20th-century wooden transit tripod crafted with open-slotted skeleton legs and a threaded brass mounting head with cast wing-nut hardware. Designed for field survey work or high-grade transit instruments, it features heavy-duty c...

1018
Vintage Dietzgen Wooden Surveyor Tripod
This is a classic piece of professional field equipment from Eugene Dietzgen Co., a titan in the engineering and drafting world. Crafted with robust oak legs and industrial-grade steel hardware, this tripod features the iconic adjustable leg design w...

1019
Antique C.L. Berger & Sons Survey Tripod
This is a remarkably well-preserved example of American precision engineering: an antique surveying tripod manufactured by the esteemed C.L. Berger & Sons of Boston, Massachusetts. Featuring the iconic "CLB" logo on the cast metal head, this piece da...

1020
Wooden Surveyors Tripod
Crafted in the early 20th century, this classic hardwood surveyor's tripod features robust brass hardware fittings, heavy-duty metal ground spikes, and a circular wooden top mounting plate. Bearing an inventory stencil mark reading "10" along one upp...

1021
Wood Surveying Transit Tripod
Crafted for rugged field utility in early surveying and engineering applications, this antique wooden tripod features split-leg construction with patinated cast metal fittings and a brass threaded top plate designed to mount a surveying transit or le...

1022
Brass & Wood Surveyor Tripod
An impressive early 20th-century field surveying tripod crafted from solid hardwood with brass fitting hardware, wing nut tensioners, and iron-shod metal tips. Designed with classic split-leg architecture and a 5.5-inch round wooden top plate bearing...

1023
Antique W. & L.E. Gurley Surveying Tripod
This classic piece of engineering history is a split-leg wooden surveying tripod crafted by the renowned W. & L.E. Gurley of Troy, N.Y., a titan in precision instruments since the mid-19th century. Featuring robust hardwood legs with a deep patina, t...

1024
Keuffel & Esser Co. NY Antique Tripod
This impressive piece of engineering is a vintage professional surveying tripod manufactured by the renowned Keuffel & Esser Co. (K&E), likely dating from the early to mid-20th century. Established in New York, with manufacturing centers in Hoboken, ...

1025
Antique Dennert & Pape Brass Theodolite
An exceptional example of late 19th to early 20th-century scientific engineering, this antique surveying transit/theodolite is beautifully engraved by the prestigious German maker "Dennert & Pape" of "Hamburg-Altona" and bears the serial number 1010....

1026
Keuffel & Esser Brass Alidade w/ Case
This exceptional Keuffel & Esser Co. high post plane table alidade, Model 5205, is an outstanding piece of late 19th-century engineering history. Produced circa 1892 in New York, NY, this instrument features a heavy brass construction with a dark bra...

1027
W.F. Stanley Antique Brass Theodolite
An exceptional turn-of-the-century scientific instrument, this antique brass surveyor's transit theodolite is a testament to British precision engineering. Produced by the renowned W.F. Stanley & Co. of London, the brass instrument features a multi-g...

1028
Troughton & Simms Transit Theodolite
An exceptional antique 6-inch transit theodolite by Troughton & Simms, Ltd. (London, England), crafted circa 1916�1921. This precision scientific survey instrument features solid brass, bronze, and optical elements, housed in its fitted mahogany...

1029
David White Co Surveying Tripod
This classic early-to-mid 20th-century surveyor's tripod was manufactured by the David White Company of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as indicated by the cast lettering around the top aluminum threaded collar. Crafted with sturdy split-leg hardwood timber co...

1030
Warren-Knight Wooden Surveyor Tripod
This professional-grade surveyor�s tripod was manufactured by the Warren-Knight Co. of Philadelphia, PA, a firm renowned since the early 20th century for precision engineering. Constructed from durable, honey-toned hardwood with robust cast-iron...

1031
WWII Ross Admiralty Binoculars Tripod
This is for the tripod only, It is for the WW II era Royal Navy Admiralty bridge binoculars made by Ross of London. Ross supplied high end binoculars to the British Navy during both world wars. It would mount on this wood leg tripod with brass and br...

1032
Vintage Dietzgen Surveyors Grade Rod Set
This is a professional-grade surveying kit featuring a heavy-duty folding leveling rod and a specialized spring-loaded sighting or mounting base. The primary rod is a classic Dietzgen 6562, crafted from durable hardwood with brass hinges and a bold, ...

1033
Antique German L. Tesdorf Surveying Level
his exceptionally fine late-19th-century scientific instrument represents a peak era of precision European engineering. Manufactured by the renowned firm L. Tesdorf in Stuttgart, Germany, this scientific surveying transit/level features a beautifully...

1034
1940 E.R. Watts & Son Brass Theodolite
This is a magnificent example of British precision engineering: a 1940-dated brass vernier theodolite manufactured by the prestigious E.R. Watts & Son of London. A true wartime instrument, it features the distinct "War Finish" stamping and the Britis...

1035
Bausch & Lomb Transit Serial No. 11309
This "Municipal" Model 063 transit, bearing Serial Number 11309, is a remarkable specimen from the Bausch & Lomb Optical Company of Rochester, NY, manufactured circa 1914�1916. This era represents the "Triple Alliance" period, a prestigious coll...

1036
Antique Keuffel & Esser Brass Level
This early 20th-century brass surveyor's level by Keuffel & Esser Co. (New York, serial number 16601) represents classic American scientific instrumentation, complete with its original fitted wooden carrying box stenciled "ENGER BROS." on the lid and...

1037
1883 Harmon Transit Level
This exceptional Victorian-era scientific instrument stands as a testament to late 19th-century American craftsmanship, custom-engraved by precision toolmaker John W. Harmon of Boston, Massachusetts. Designed as an artificer's leveling instrument, th...

1038
Antique A. Kr�ss Hamburg Spectrometer
This precision scientific instrument is a late 19th to early 20th-century spectrometer (or goniometer) manufactured by the renowned firm A. Kr�ss in Hamburg, Germany. Founded in 1796, Kr�ss became a global leader in optical engineering, win...

1039
Heath & Co. Antique Artificial Horizon
This exceptional piece of maritime history is an antique navigational artificial horizon produced by the renowned Heath & Co. of London, England. Used to provide a reliable reflective surface for sextant observations when the natural horizon was obsc...

1040
1932 Keuffel & Esser Surveying Sextant
This exceptional pre-war scientific instrument is a 1932 surveying sextant manufactured by the renowned Keuffel & Esser Co. of New York and Hoboken, New Jersey. Expertly constructed from black-finished metal and brass, the precision apparatus feature...

1041
c. 1910 Buff & Buff Surveyor's Transit
A fine early 20th-century brass and blackened metal surveyor's transit, Model 1-B, manufactured by the Buff & Buff Manufacturing Company of Boston, Massachusetts. This historic engineering instrument features a 4.25-inch silvered compass face signed ...

1042
Brass Marine Sextant in Box-Calcutta
This exceptional late 19th to early 20th-century marine sextant exemplifies the precision of British nautical engineering, featuring a handsome brass frame, an inlaid silver or ivory scale, a turned wooden handle, and multiple accompanying optical sc...

1043
Antique Bausch & Lomb Sextant Model 24
This Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. Model 24 sextant, identified as a "Triple Alliance" instrument from Rochester, NY, circa 1911, features a black-finished brass frame with a 7.5-inch radius and an inlaid silver scale. Representing the peak of maritime n...

1044
Antique Hahn Instrument Co. Mining Transit
This high-precision surveying transit is a fascinating cross-continental relic, featuring a compass dial marked for the Hahn Instrument Co. of Denver, Colorado, while explicitly noted as "Made in Germany" with a distinct manufacturer's logo and seria...

1045
Bausch & Lomb Model 50 Railroad Transit
This professional-grade "Railroad" Transit, Model 50, was manufactured by the renowned Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. of Rochester, NY, around 1909. A quintessential tool of early 20th-century American infrastructure, this instrument features a 9.75" tele...

1046
E.R. Watts 1925 Brass Theodolite Set
This sophisticated scientific instrument is a professional-grade transit theodolite manufactured by the renowned E.R. Watts & Son of London, dated June 24, 1925 (Serial No. 10570). Finished in a handsome black enamel over brass with nickel fittings, ...

1047
Bausch & Lomb Precision Level & Case
This is a museum-quality precision optical level manufactured by the Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. of Rochester, N.Y., circa 1913. Bearing serial number 9724, this instrument dates to the prestigious "Triple Alliance" era, a short-lived but significant p...

1048
WWII British Military Mark IV Theodolite
This Mark IV Tacheometer (Theodolite), manufactured by Watts, Freeman & Son (W.F.S.) around 1944, is a rugged piece of Allied field gear marked with the British Broad Arrow and pattern number B 966. Finished in a non-reflective dark charcoal gray, th...

1049
Bausch & Lomb Model 121 Wye Level
This is a professional-grade Bausch & Lomb Model 121 Wye Level, a pinnacle of early 20th-century American engineering originating from Rochester, NY. Dated approximately 1910�1912 (Serial No. 8852), this "Triple Alliance" instrument features a 2...

1050
Cooke, Troughton & Simms Theodolite W/Case
This historically significant "Mountain Theodolite," serial number 30009, was manufactured by the renowned firm of Cooke, Troughton & Simms, Ltd. of London and York. A masterclass in British optical engineering, this 1940-era precision instrument fea...

1051
Bausch & Lomb Model 90 Alidade & Case
This Bausch & Lomb Model 90 "Topographic" High Post Plane Table Alidade was manufactured in Rochester, NY, circa 1914�1916 during the "Triple Alliance" era. The instrument features an 18-inch black-finished brass blade, a telescopic sight with b...

1052
Hildebrand Strassburg Theodolite & Case
This precision surveying instrument is a remarkable artifact of early 20th-century German engineering, manufactured by the renowned Hildebrand-Wichmann-Werke of Freiberg and Berlin. The set includes its original light-wood transport case�complet...

1053
Tamaya & Co. Japanese Transit Level
This is a precision-engineered Japanese surveying transit, manufactured by the renowned Tamaya & Co. of Ginza, Tokyo, dated 1955. A true centerpiece for any collection of scientific instruments, it features a classic black-lacquered finish with polis...

1054
Dr. Kolzer-Sprenger Pilot Theodolite
This is a remarkable example of a "broken telescope" style pilot balloon theodolite, designed by Dr. Koelzer and manufactured by Edouard Sprenger in Berlin, Germany, circa 1930-1940. This precision optical instrument features a black lacquered finish...

1055
Antique C. Baker London Theodolite & Case
This is a phenomenal late 19th to early 20th-century brass scientific surveying instrument, specifically a transit theodolite, complete with its original fitted mahogany transport case. The instrument features a beautiful blackened and polished brass...

1056
E.R. Watts & Son London Transit Theodolite W/Key
This precision E.R. Watts & Son Ltd. (London) transit theodolite, serial no. 31274, is a superb example of mid-20th-century British engineering. Finished in a functional military-style olive drab, the instrument features high-quality brass and steel ...

1057
West London Surveying Transit And Case
An impressive piece of 19th-century English precision engineering manufactured by West at 92 & 93 Fleet Street, London, as hand-engraved on the base plate. Crafted from brass and oxidized metal, this surveyor's transit features a main telescope with ...

1058
1907 W.F. Stanley Transit Theodolite
This is a remarkably well-preserved October 1907 transit theodolite by the prestigious W. F. Stanley & Co. Ltd. of London. A specialized triangulation instrument (Serial No. 107205), it features a 5" beveled horizontal limb reading to 10" by filar mi...

1059
Bausch & Lomb "Gavatt" Dumpy Level W/Case
This professional-grade Engineer�s Dumpy Level, Model 114, known as the "Gavatt," was manufactured by the renowned Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. of Rochester, NY, circa 1915-1920. A staple of early 20th-century American infrastructure projects, this...

1060
Tamaya & Co. Japanese WWII Theodolite
This rare WWII-era Japanese theodolite, manufactured by the renowned Tamaya & Co. in Ginza, Tokyo (Serial No. 31), is a precision surveying instrument modeled after the German Hildebrandt design. During the 1930s and 40s, Tamaya served as a primary o...

1061
1920s Soviet Tochnaya Mekhanika Theodolite
This exceptional surveying instrument, manufactured between 1920 and 1925 by the Tochnaya Mekhanika (Precision Mechanics) trust in Moscow, represents a fascinating era of early Soviet industrialization. The compass face bears the markings H.K.Z.C. U....

1062
Stanley "Eltham" 1949 British Theodolite
This is a remarkable example of post-WWII British precision engineering: a Stanley "Eltham" theodolite, instrument No. 5143, dated to approximately September 1949. Manufactured by W.F. Stanley & Co. Ltd. in New Eltham, London, this transit instrument...

1063
WWI Bausch & Lomb M1915 B.C. Telescope
This genuine U.S. military B.C. (Battery Commander) Telescope, Model of 1915 A1, was manufactured by the Bausch & Lomb Optical Company of Rochester, New York, in 1918. This trench periscope features a robust brass body with its original black-finishe...

1064
Keuffel & Esser DARAD Bubble Sextant
This remarkable mid-century precision instrument is a Keuffel & Esser "DARAD" model bubble sextant, specifically designed for U.S. Army and Navy aerial and marine navigation. Manufactured in Hoboken, New Jersey, this "Type A" instrument (Serial No. 8...

1065
Keuffel & Esser Surveying Aneroid
This professional-grade "Improved Surveying Aneroid" barometer, manufactured for the renowned firm Keuffel & Esser Co. of New York and crafted in England, likely dates to the early 20th century (c. 1905�1920). Representing the pinnacle of early ...

1066
Keuffel & Esser Co Trough Compass Instrument
Keuffel & Esser Co Trough Compass Instrument, a prominent American manufacturer of drafting and surveying instruments, likely a clinometer, barometer or gauge, features a graduated scale, a central pointer needle, and a glass-fronted metal casing, us...

1067
Keuffel & Esser Surveying Aneroid W/Case
This sophisticated "Improved Surveying Aneroid" barometer was manufactured in England for the renowned American firm Keuffel & Esser Co. A vital tool for early 20th-century geologists and engineers, it features a compensated movement for temperature ...

1068
Vintage USGS Short & Mason Altimeter
Vintage USGS Short & Mason Altimeter This professional-grade surveying aneroid altimeter was manufactured by the renowned firm Short & Mason of London, a name synonymous with high-precision meteorological instruments since the 19th century. Stamped w...

1069
Large-Format Prismatic Surveying Compass W/Case
A high-precision, professional-grade Prismatic Surveying Compass (Schmalcalder-type), likely of British or American manufacture circa 1890-1920 This large-format instrument was designed for topographical mapping, civil engineering, or military reconn...

1070
Antique Brass Prismatic Surveyor's Compass W/Case
This 19th-century scientific instrument is a high-quality, professional-grade brass prismatic surveyor's compass, likely of British or American manufacture. The device features a silvered dial with cardinal points, an integrated clinometer for measur...

1071
Bausch & Lomb Optical Collection & Lens
This comprehensive collection features vintage scientific optics and accessories from the Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. of Rochester, N.Y. The centerpiece is a large, telescoping clear lens (Serial No. 2186015) measuring nearly 5" in length, likely an ob...

1072
Warren Knight Station Pointer 1940 WWII Navy
WWII US Navy 3-Arm Metal Protractor This is an exceptional World War II-era U.S. Navy Bureau of Ships 3-arm metal protractor, also known as a station pointer, precision-engineered by the Warren-Knight Co. of Philadelphia, U.S.A. Dated 1940, this vita...

1073
Keuffel & Esser 4286 Planimeter
An exceptional find for the precision instrument collector, this early 20th-century rolling sphere planimeter was manufactured by the premier Keuffel & Esser Co. of New York and Hoboken, New Jersey. Bearing model number 4286 and serial number 918, th...

1074
Antique Wooden Cased Trigonometer Drafting Tool
Housed in its original mahogany case, this late 19th or early 20th-century precision drafting instrument is an exceptional piece of engineering history. The "Trigonometer," as indicated by the intact instruction paper pasted inside the lid, features ...

1075
Antique Brass Three-Arm Station Pointer
This exquisite maritime navigation instrument is an antique brass three-arm station pointer, also known as a station pointer or protractor, resting securely inside its original fitted wooden velvet-lined case. Popularized in the late 19th and early 2...

1076
Vintage K&E Planimeter & USGS Station Pointer
This lot consists of two precision mid-century engineering and drafting instruments: a Keuffel & Esser Co. No. N4220 Compensating Polar Planimeter (Serial No. 1432, manufactured in Germany) housed in its original plush, blue velvet-lined black leathe...

1077
Vintage Hand Level Survey Instrument
Vintage Surveying Hand Level used by surveyors to determine horizontal alignment and measure grade, features a telescoping metal tube containing an internal bubble level mechanism, includes a sturdy, stitched brown leather case, marked with a "3", 5....

1078
Antique Brass Topographic Leveling Survey Device
Antique Brass Topographic Leveling Survey Device, a miniature alidade or expedition level used for topographic surveying and mapping, designed for portability includes the telescopic sight with spirit levels and adjustment knobs, separate piece at th...

1079
2 Antique Surveyor Compasses J W Queen
This fine pair of 19th-century scientific surveying instruments highlights exceptional American craft and engineering, featuring a square mahogany-cased surveyor's compass with an integrated tubular spirit level alongside an octagonal cased pocket cl...

1080
2 Antique Brass Spirit Levels Casartelli
An exceptional pair of 19th-century scientific surveying instruments, featuring precision brass tube spirit levels housing original graduated glass vials and housed in custom velvet-lined and plain mahogany fitted wooden storage cases with brass hook...

1081
Antique Abney Level Clinometer Survey Instrument
Antique Abney Level Clinometer, a handheld instrument used by surveyors, engineers and foresters to measure vertical angles and slopes, features a sighting tube with a fixed graduated arc, a movable arm, crafted from brass with a dark, aged patina, i...

1082
Antique Brass Abney Level F.W. & R. King
An exceptional piece of mid-to-late 19th-century American surveying history, this solid brass Abney level/clinometer was manufactured by F.W. & R. King of 226 Baltimore St., Baltimore, Maryland. Featuring an integrated spirit level vial and a vernier...

1083
Vintage Maritime Binnacle Compass
Vintage Maritime Binnacle Compass, used on ships and boats to house and protect a magnetic compass, brass helmet-shaped dome protects internal compass card from harsh weather, flip up glass port at the top, compass sits on a gimbaled suspension mecha...

1084
1910 HMS Worcester Station Pointer Set-Named
An exceptional, historically significant maritime find, this brass station pointer (three-arm protractor) navigational instrument is housed in its original brass-bound mahogany case with a vibrant green felt-lined interior. This superb Edwardian-era ...

1085
1938 US General Land Office Wall Map
An impressive 1938 wall map of the United States, including territories and insular possessions, issued by the United States Department of the Interior, General Land Office under Secretary Harold L. Ickes and Commissioner Fred W. Johnson. Engraved by...

1085
Polished Onyx-Style Globe W/Stand
An impressive contemporary tabletop world globe featuring a polished black onyx-style matrix ocean inlaid with colorful semi-precious stone and mother-of-pearl landmasses delineating individual nations. The sphere is mounted within a brushed nickel-f...

1086
Framed 1770 French Coromandel Coast Map
This is a rare, authentic 1770 French copperplate engraving by M.B.C.T. (attributed to chief French military engineer Jean Bourcet) and engraved by P. Croisey in Paris. Titled Theatre de la Guerre dans l'Inde sur la Coste de Coromandel (Theater of Wa...

1087
Framed Cleartype County-Town US Map
This vintage commercial Cleartype County-Town map of the United States was published by the American Map Company, Inc. of New York. Printed on heavy paper stock with hand-colored regional highlights in shades of blue, green, orange, and purple, it di...

1088
Geneva Lens Measure Optical Gauge
This late 19th-century scientific gauge is a classic Geneva Lens Measure (spherometer), designed to determine the dioptric curvature of optical lenses. Housed in a brass casing with a silvered dial face, the instrument displays multi-country patent d...

1089
Antique Machinist Precision Inclinometer Pair
This exceptional pair of antique precision machinist spirit levels, complete with their protective metal covers, showcases 19th to early 20th-century American craftsmanship. Both instruments feature brass top plates over heavy ebony or darkened hardw...

1089
Elliott Bros London Artificial Horizon
This 19th-century scientific instrument by renowned maker Elliott Bros of London is a classic brass and black glass artificial horizon, historically used for navigational and surveying observations when a natural horizon was obscured. Crafted from la...

1090
Antique Max Kohl Optical Apparatus
An exceptional early 20th-century German scientific optical demonstration apparatus manufactured by the renowned Max Kohl A.G. of Chemnitz, Germany, perfect for collectors of historic laboratory instruments and precision engineering. Expertly crafted...

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Sep 26
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Donley Auctions

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Contact: Randy Donley
Phone: 815.923.7000
Sale Location
8512 S. Union Rd.
Union, IL 60180
Sale Dates and Times
Saturday Sep 26,
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INTRODUCTION These Terms and Conditions of Sale govern all auctions conducted by Donley Auction Services ("Donley Auctions"), including those conducted online, via absentee bid, by phone, and in person. Donley Auction Services acts solely as an agent for consignors. Any announcements made by the auctioneer on the day of the auction take precedence over any printed, digital, or online information. 1. BINDING CONTRACT By registering and bidding, you enter into a legally binding contract and agree to accept all terms and conditions outlined herein. " COMMUNICATION CONSENT: Registration grants Donley Auction Services permission to contact you via email or text message regarding invoices, upcoming auctions, and company updates. " MEDIA RELEASE: By entering the auction premises, all attendees, bidders, and guests consent to being photographed, filmed, and/or audio-recorded. 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(Note: Invaluable's exact fee is displayed on your bidding screen before you confirm your bid.) Your total cost is your base Buyer's premium plus Invaluable's platform fee: " Invaluable Platform Fee Structure: o Lots priced at $200.00 and under: Flat s$10.00 fee o Lots priced from $200.01 to $9,999.99: 5% fee o Lots priced at $10,000.00 and over: Capped at $500.00 3. DISCLAIMER: MULTIPLE BIDDING PLATFORMS Donley Auctions utilizes multiple synchronized bidding platforms. To ensure fairness, bidders must acknowledge the following: " COMPETING BIDS: Absentee bids placed on one platform will compete actively with live bids and pre-bids from other platforms. " REAL-TIME DELAYS: Electronic platforms are subject to internet latency. Even if your screen indicates you are the high bidder, the auctioneer may have already accepted a competing bid from the floor, phone, or an alternate platform. " TIE BIDS: In the event of a tie bid or identical bid amounts, the Auctioneer retains sole discretion to accept the first bid recognized by the clerk. This includes pre-bids or absentee bids placed days or weeks in advance; early electronic submission timestamps do not grant automatic priority or preference over other active bids. " RECOMMENDATION: To secure your items, bidders are strongly encouraged to bid LIVE or enter a true maximum absentee bid amount. 4. ITEM DESCRIPTIONS & CONDITION ("AS IS") " ALL SALES FINAL: All property is sold AS IS, WHERE IS. There are absolutely no refunds, exchanges, or returns for any reason. " NO WARRANTIES: Donley Auctions makes no representations or warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. The bidder is the sole judge of value, condition, age, authenticity, and origin. The absence of a condition report does not imply that a lot is free from wear, imperfections, or the effects of aging. 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" OVERSIZED FREIGHT RESTRICTIONS: We do not pack or ship furniture, items weighing over 100 lbs, or excessively large or fragile freight. Buyers are entirely responsible for hiring independent third-party freight carriers. A list of recommended local haulers is available upon request. " INTERNATIONAL RESTRICTIONS: Single items valued over $2,499 cannot be shipped via standard domestic carriers (USPS/FedEx) to international destinations. These must be managed by an international customs broker arranged entirely by the buyer. " FIREARM & HAZMAT RESTRICTIONS: Firearm shipments may not include tracking information due to carrier and security regulations. California residents must provide an FFL for ammunition purchases. We cannot ship ammunition to Alaska or Hawaii. Under no circumstances can Donley Auctions pack or ship primers, reloading components, or any form of black powder. 9. LOCAL PICK-UP & STORAGE FEES " BY APPOINTMENT ONLY: Buyers electing local pickup must contact Shipping@DonleyAuctions.com within 24 hours of receiving their invoice to schedule an appointment. You must notify us within this 24-hour window to decline shipping; otherwise, you may be charged for any packing materials and labor already expended on your lots. " STORAGE DEADLINES: Due to strict warehouse space constraints, all items must be retrieved or shipping arrangements finalized within 5 days of the auction. " STORAGE PENALTIES: Items left uncollected after 5 days will incur a storage fee of $20 per day, per lot. Items left uncollected after 30 days will be legally deemed abandoned and may be sold or disposed of without notice to recover storage costs. 10. AUCTIONEER DISCRETION Donley Auction Services maintains absolute authority over the auction process. We reserve the right to refuse admission to the premises, reject any registration, deny bidding privileges to any individual, withdraw or re-catalog items prior to sale, or extend/restart an auction in the event of technical disruptions or unforeseen operational events. 11. LIABILITY & LEGAL VENUE " LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: If a purchased lot is stolen, lost, damaged, or cannot be delivered in its original condition prior to pickup or shipping, Donley Auction Services' maximum liability shall be limited strictly to the actual financial amount paid by the purchaser for that lot. " SEVERABILITY & GOVERNING LAW: These Conditions of Sale are governed by and construed under the laws of the State of Illinois. Any legal actions or proceedings arising from these terms shall be brought exclusively in the courts of McHenry County, Illinois. If any provision is deemed invalid or unenforceable, the remaining terms shall continue in full force and effect. CONTACT US " GENERAL INQUIRIES: Info@DonleyAuctions.com " SHIPPING & LOGISTICS: Shipping@DonleyAuctions.com " OFFICE PHONE: 815-923-7000
Listing Details
Featuring premier selections from the distinguished Dale Beeks, Allen Koenigsberg, and Howard Hazelcorn collections, this curated auction presents a captivating journey across the frontiers of early science, visual culture, and vintage entertainment. Physical expansion began on the frontier, where precision instruments mapped untamed landscapes. Central to this story is The Dale Beeks Collection, reflecting the life�s work of a nationally recognized authority, master restorer, and museum consultant who developed a passion for precision tools while surveying in Idaho. Highlights include 19th- and early 20th-century brass theodolites, transit levels, maritime sextants, and research microscopes from master makers like Bausch & Lomb, Cooke, Troughton & Simms, and Keuffel & Esser. Simultaneously, visual media and pre-cinema wonders tore down geographic walls: cased daguerreotypes, daguerrian tokens, ambrotypes, tintypes, magic lantern slides, zoetropes, and stereoview collections transported families to distant lands. Sound and industry bridged physical divides, as telegraph sounders tapped out Morse code, oak magneto telephones carried voices across continents, early light bulbs illuminated growing cities, and railroad lanterns guided engines linking communities. In laboratories, early electrotherapeutic cabinets and quack medicine devices pushed human vision and health past natural limits. Finally, this era culminated in pure wonder. Grand movie palaces offered cathedrals of escape through historic architectural elements, lobby relics, and theater seating, while antique Seeburg and Wurlitzer coin pianos brought automated music to parlor halls.

1001
W. F. Stanley Surveying Compass W/Case & Tripod
This is a remarkable 19th-century brass surveying instrument�specifically a dial/compass featuring a clinometer scale reading "Diff. of Hypo. & Base"�crafted by the renowned maker W. F. Stanley at Great Turnstile, Holborn, London. The set f...

1002
Vintage French Brass Surveyor Compass Set
An impressive vintage French brass surveyor's compass set, housing a finely detailed brass compass dial marked "FRANCE" alongside black folding sighting vanes and a removable brass mounting spindle, all neatly fitted within its original green felt-li...

1003
Gustav Heyde Dresden Transit & Tripod
An exceptional late 19th- to early 20th-century scientific surveying instrument by renowned precision maker Gustav Heyde of Dresden, Germany, bearing serial/model number 815. Crafted from painted brass, gunmetal gray housings, fine level vials, and d...

1004
Antique K&E Theodolite & Tripod Set
This exceptional early to mid-20th-century surveying set features a vintage Municipal Triangulation Theodolite (Model No. 5086V, Serial No. 60603) crafted by the renowned Keuffel & Esser Co. in Hoboken, New Jersey. A premier instrument of its era, it...

1005
Bausch & Lomb No. 55 Engineer's Transit
This is an exceptional "Engineers" Model No. 55 transit/tachymeter produced by the Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. of Rochester, NY, dating to approximately 1915. This precision instrument features a 5.5-inch horizontal limb, a 5-inch vertical circle, and ...

1006
Cooke, Troughton & Simms T65 & Tripod
This remarkable ensemble features a Model T65 "Tavistock" optical theodolite, precision-engineered by Cooke, Troughton & Simms of York, England, circa 1935, paired with a professional wooden surveying tripod. A masterpiece of British instrumentation,...

1007
Antique Saegmuller Brass Mining Transit
Crafted during the turn-of-the-century golden era of American precision instrument making, this early 1900s 5-inch mining transit is signed by Bausch, Lomb, Saegmuller Co. of Rochester, New York, with patent dates of September 1, 1903, and January 30...

1007
Wooden Surveyors Tripod
An excellent piece of industrial maritime and field engineering, this early 20th-century surveyor's transit tripod features heavy-duty split hardwood legs, original metal shoe tips, and a robust brass mounting collar with a 3-inch threaded ring desig...

1008
Inter-War David White Navy "NOL" Aero Theodolite
This rare WWII-era "Theodolite - Shore" (Aero-1928-USN) is a sophisticated piece of naval history manufactured by the David White Company of Milwaukee, WI. A standout feature of this unit is the "NOL" stamp on the base, identifying it as property of ...

1009
Bausch & Lomb Model 603 Theodolite & Case
This is a remarkable professional-grade Model 603 Theodolite from the prestigious Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. of Rochester, NY, dating to approximately 1916. A true "Triple Alliance" instrument, it features a 12-inch telescope equipped with a Saegmulle...

1010
Warren-Knight Model 25C Survey Transit Case/Tripod
This "Sterling" Model 25-C surveying transit was manufactured by the Warren-Knight Co. of Philadelphia on August 8, 1913. The precision instrument features a 6.25" horizontal limb, a 4.5" vertical circle, and an 11" telescope, centered by a deeply di...

1011
Vintage Dietzen Surveying Wooden Tripod
This mid-century surveyor's or engineer's tripod was manufactured by the Eugene Dietzgen Company in Chicago, Illinois. Crafted with solid hardwood legs and robust brass hardware�including top wing-nut fasteners, an upper threaded mounting head a...

1012
W. Mansfield Water Finder Kit, Case W/Tripod
A remarkably well-preserved Mansfield Patent Automatic Water Finder, manufactured by W. Mansfield & Co. in Birkenhead, England, dating to the early-to-mid 20th century. This highly specialized scientific instrument, historically used by surveyors and...

1013
Antique Troughton & Simms London Theodolite
An exceptional circa 1900 brass scientific instrument, this antique transit theodolite was manufactured by the renowned makers Troughton & Simms in London, England. Provenance labels inside the lid of the protective mahogany transit case note that th...

1014
Bausch & Lomb Saegmuller Precise Level
This highly significant engineering instrument is a Bausch & Lomb Saegmuller "Precise Level," manufactured in Rochester, N.Y., and built to U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey specifications circa 1907. A true collector's piece, the 17-inch telescope is c...

1015
Cooke Troughton & Simms Theodolite w/ Case
A remarkable example of British precision engineering, this 1935 Cooke, Troughton & Simms, Ltd. transit theodolite (Serial No. 35079) was manufactured in York, England. Featuring a 5-inch horizontal limb and a 5.25-inch vertical circle, this instrume...

1016
Antique Spears & Co. Surveyor's Compass
This exceptional mid-to-late 19th-century surveyor's dial compass reflects the fine instrument-making traditions of Dublin, Ireland. Explicitly marked "Spears & Co. 27 College Green Dublin," this scientific instrument features a beautifully engraved ...

1017
Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. Survey Transit W/Case
This professional-grade vintage survey transit, crafted by the renowned Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. of Rochester, N.Y. (Serial No. 10205), is a testament to early 20th-century American precision engineering. Research into Bausch & Lomb�s productio...

1017
Wooden Surveyor Transit Tripod
An exceptional early 20th-century wooden transit tripod crafted with open-slotted skeleton legs and a threaded brass mounting head with cast wing-nut hardware. Designed for field survey work or high-grade transit instruments, it features heavy-duty c...

1018
Vintage Dietzgen Wooden Surveyor Tripod
This is a classic piece of professional field equipment from Eugene Dietzgen Co., a titan in the engineering and drafting world. Crafted with robust oak legs and industrial-grade steel hardware, this tripod features the iconic adjustable leg design w...

1019
Antique C.L. Berger & Sons Survey Tripod
This is a remarkably well-preserved example of American precision engineering: an antique surveying tripod manufactured by the esteemed C.L. Berger & Sons of Boston, Massachusetts. Featuring the iconic "CLB" logo on the cast metal head, this piece da...

1020
Wooden Surveyors Tripod
Crafted in the early 20th century, this classic hardwood surveyor's tripod features robust brass hardware fittings, heavy-duty metal ground spikes, and a circular wooden top mounting plate. Bearing an inventory stencil mark reading "10" along one upp...

1021
Wood Surveying Transit Tripod
Crafted for rugged field utility in early surveying and engineering applications, this antique wooden tripod features split-leg construction with patinated cast metal fittings and a brass threaded top plate designed to mount a surveying transit or le...

1022
Brass & Wood Surveyor Tripod
An impressive early 20th-century field surveying tripod crafted from solid hardwood with brass fitting hardware, wing nut tensioners, and iron-shod metal tips. Designed with classic split-leg architecture and a 5.5-inch round wooden top plate bearing...

1023
Antique W. & L.E. Gurley Surveying Tripod
This classic piece of engineering history is a split-leg wooden surveying tripod crafted by the renowned W. & L.E. Gurley of Troy, N.Y., a titan in precision instruments since the mid-19th century. Featuring robust hardwood legs with a deep patina, t...

1024
Keuffel & Esser Co. NY Antique Tripod
This impressive piece of engineering is a vintage professional surveying tripod manufactured by the renowned Keuffel & Esser Co. (K&E), likely dating from the early to mid-20th century. Established in New York, with manufacturing centers in Hoboken, ...

1025
Antique Dennert & Pape Brass Theodolite
An exceptional example of late 19th to early 20th-century scientific engineering, this antique surveying transit/theodolite is beautifully engraved by the prestigious German maker "Dennert & Pape" of "Hamburg-Altona" and bears the serial number 1010....

1026
Keuffel & Esser Brass Alidade w/ Case
This exceptional Keuffel & Esser Co. high post plane table alidade, Model 5205, is an outstanding piece of late 19th-century engineering history. Produced circa 1892 in New York, NY, this instrument features a heavy brass construction with a dark bra...

1027
W.F. Stanley Antique Brass Theodolite
An exceptional turn-of-the-century scientific instrument, this antique brass surveyor's transit theodolite is a testament to British precision engineering. Produced by the renowned W.F. Stanley & Co. of London, the brass instrument features a multi-g...

1028
Troughton & Simms Transit Theodolite
An exceptional antique 6-inch transit theodolite by Troughton & Simms, Ltd. (London, England), crafted circa 1916�1921. This precision scientific survey instrument features solid brass, bronze, and optical elements, housed in its fitted mahogany...

1029
David White Co Surveying Tripod
This classic early-to-mid 20th-century surveyor's tripod was manufactured by the David White Company of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as indicated by the cast lettering around the top aluminum threaded collar. Crafted with sturdy split-leg hardwood timber co...

1030
Warren-Knight Wooden Surveyor Tripod
This professional-grade surveyor�s tripod was manufactured by the Warren-Knight Co. of Philadelphia, PA, a firm renowned since the early 20th century for precision engineering. Constructed from durable, honey-toned hardwood with robust cast-iron...

1031
WWII Ross Admiralty Binoculars Tripod
This is for the tripod only, It is for the WW II era Royal Navy Admiralty bridge binoculars made by Ross of London. Ross supplied high end binoculars to the British Navy during both world wars. It would mount on this wood leg tripod with brass and br...

1032
Vintage Dietzgen Surveyors Grade Rod Set
This is a professional-grade surveying kit featuring a heavy-duty folding leveling rod and a specialized spring-loaded sighting or mounting base. The primary rod is a classic Dietzgen 6562, crafted from durable hardwood with brass hinges and a bold, ...

1033
Antique German L. Tesdorf Surveying Level
his exceptionally fine late-19th-century scientific instrument represents a peak era of precision European engineering. Manufactured by the renowned firm L. Tesdorf in Stuttgart, Germany, this scientific surveying transit/level features a beautifully...

1034
1940 E.R. Watts & Son Brass Theodolite
This is a magnificent example of British precision engineering: a 1940-dated brass vernier theodolite manufactured by the prestigious E.R. Watts & Son of London. A true wartime instrument, it features the distinct "War Finish" stamping and the Britis...

1035
Bausch & Lomb Transit Serial No. 11309
This "Municipal" Model 063 transit, bearing Serial Number 11309, is a remarkable specimen from the Bausch & Lomb Optical Company of Rochester, NY, manufactured circa 1914�1916. This era represents the "Triple Alliance" period, a prestigious coll...

1036
Antique Keuffel & Esser Brass Level
This early 20th-century brass surveyor's level by Keuffel & Esser Co. (New York, serial number 16601) represents classic American scientific instrumentation, complete with its original fitted wooden carrying box stenciled "ENGER BROS." on the lid and...

1037
1883 Harmon Transit Level
This exceptional Victorian-era scientific instrument stands as a testament to late 19th-century American craftsmanship, custom-engraved by precision toolmaker John W. Harmon of Boston, Massachusetts. Designed as an artificer's leveling instrument, th...

1038
Antique A. Kr�ss Hamburg Spectrometer
This precision scientific instrument is a late 19th to early 20th-century spectrometer (or goniometer) manufactured by the renowned firm A. Kr�ss in Hamburg, Germany. Founded in 1796, Kr�ss became a global leader in optical engineering, win...

1039
Heath & Co. Antique Artificial Horizon
This exceptional piece of maritime history is an antique navigational artificial horizon produced by the renowned Heath & Co. of London, England. Used to provide a reliable reflective surface for sextant observations when the natural horizon was obsc...

1040
1932 Keuffel & Esser Surveying Sextant
This exceptional pre-war scientific instrument is a 1932 surveying sextant manufactured by the renowned Keuffel & Esser Co. of New York and Hoboken, New Jersey. Expertly constructed from black-finished metal and brass, the precision apparatus feature...

1041
c. 1910 Buff & Buff Surveyor's Transit
A fine early 20th-century brass and blackened metal surveyor's transit, Model 1-B, manufactured by the Buff & Buff Manufacturing Company of Boston, Massachusetts. This historic engineering instrument features a 4.25-inch silvered compass face signed ...

1042
Brass Marine Sextant in Box-Calcutta
This exceptional late 19th to early 20th-century marine sextant exemplifies the precision of British nautical engineering, featuring a handsome brass frame, an inlaid silver or ivory scale, a turned wooden handle, and multiple accompanying optical sc...

1043
Antique Bausch & Lomb Sextant Model 24
This Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. Model 24 sextant, identified as a "Triple Alliance" instrument from Rochester, NY, circa 1911, features a black-finished brass frame with a 7.5-inch radius and an inlaid silver scale. Representing the peak of maritime n...

1044
Antique Hahn Instrument Co. Mining Transit
This high-precision surveying transit is a fascinating cross-continental relic, featuring a compass dial marked for the Hahn Instrument Co. of Denver, Colorado, while explicitly noted as "Made in Germany" with a distinct manufacturer's logo and seria...

1045
Bausch & Lomb Model 50 Railroad Transit
This professional-grade "Railroad" Transit, Model 50, was manufactured by the renowned Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. of Rochester, NY, around 1909. A quintessential tool of early 20th-century American infrastructure, this instrument features a 9.75" tele...

1046
E.R. Watts 1925 Brass Theodolite Set
This sophisticated scientific instrument is a professional-grade transit theodolite manufactured by the renowned E.R. Watts & Son of London, dated June 24, 1925 (Serial No. 10570). Finished in a handsome black enamel over brass with nickel fittings, ...

1047
Bausch & Lomb Precision Level & Case
This is a museum-quality precision optical level manufactured by the Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. of Rochester, N.Y., circa 1913. Bearing serial number 9724, this instrument dates to the prestigious "Triple Alliance" era, a short-lived but significant p...

1048
WWII British Military Mark IV Theodolite
This Mark IV Tacheometer (Theodolite), manufactured by Watts, Freeman & Son (W.F.S.) around 1944, is a rugged piece of Allied field gear marked with the British Broad Arrow and pattern number B 966. Finished in a non-reflective dark charcoal gray, th...

1049
Bausch & Lomb Model 121 Wye Level
This is a professional-grade Bausch & Lomb Model 121 Wye Level, a pinnacle of early 20th-century American engineering originating from Rochester, NY. Dated approximately 1910�1912 (Serial No. 8852), this "Triple Alliance" instrument features a 2...

1050
Cooke, Troughton & Simms Theodolite W/Case
This historically significant "Mountain Theodolite," serial number 30009, was manufactured by the renowned firm of Cooke, Troughton & Simms, Ltd. of London and York. A masterclass in British optical engineering, this 1940-era precision instrument fea...

1051
Bausch & Lomb Model 90 Alidade & Case
This Bausch & Lomb Model 90 "Topographic" High Post Plane Table Alidade was manufactured in Rochester, NY, circa 1914�1916 during the "Triple Alliance" era. The instrument features an 18-inch black-finished brass blade, a telescopic sight with b...

1052
Hildebrand Strassburg Theodolite & Case
This precision surveying instrument is a remarkable artifact of early 20th-century German engineering, manufactured by the renowned Hildebrand-Wichmann-Werke of Freiberg and Berlin. The set includes its original light-wood transport case�complet...

1053
Tamaya & Co. Japanese Transit Level
This is a precision-engineered Japanese surveying transit, manufactured by the renowned Tamaya & Co. of Ginza, Tokyo, dated 1955. A true centerpiece for any collection of scientific instruments, it features a classic black-lacquered finish with polis...

1054
Dr. Kolzer-Sprenger Pilot Theodolite
This is a remarkable example of a "broken telescope" style pilot balloon theodolite, designed by Dr. Koelzer and manufactured by Edouard Sprenger in Berlin, Germany, circa 1930-1940. This precision optical instrument features a black lacquered finish...

1055
Antique C. Baker London Theodolite & Case
This is a phenomenal late 19th to early 20th-century brass scientific surveying instrument, specifically a transit theodolite, complete with its original fitted mahogany transport case. The instrument features a beautiful blackened and polished brass...

1056
E.R. Watts & Son London Transit Theodolite W/Key
This precision E.R. Watts & Son Ltd. (London) transit theodolite, serial no. 31274, is a superb example of mid-20th-century British engineering. Finished in a functional military-style olive drab, the instrument features high-quality brass and steel ...

1057
West London Surveying Transit And Case
An impressive piece of 19th-century English precision engineering manufactured by West at 92 & 93 Fleet Street, London, as hand-engraved on the base plate. Crafted from brass and oxidized metal, this surveyor's transit features a main telescope with ...

1058
1907 W.F. Stanley Transit Theodolite
This is a remarkably well-preserved October 1907 transit theodolite by the prestigious W. F. Stanley & Co. Ltd. of London. A specialized triangulation instrument (Serial No. 107205), it features a 5" beveled horizontal limb reading to 10" by filar mi...

1059
Bausch & Lomb "Gavatt" Dumpy Level W/Case
This professional-grade Engineer�s Dumpy Level, Model 114, known as the "Gavatt," was manufactured by the renowned Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. of Rochester, NY, circa 1915-1920. A staple of early 20th-century American infrastructure projects, this...

1060
Tamaya & Co. Japanese WWII Theodolite
This rare WWII-era Japanese theodolite, manufactured by the renowned Tamaya & Co. in Ginza, Tokyo (Serial No. 31), is a precision surveying instrument modeled after the German Hildebrandt design. During the 1930s and 40s, Tamaya served as a primary o...

1061
1920s Soviet Tochnaya Mekhanika Theodolite
This exceptional surveying instrument, manufactured between 1920 and 1925 by the Tochnaya Mekhanika (Precision Mechanics) trust in Moscow, represents a fascinating era of early Soviet industrialization. The compass face bears the markings H.K.Z.C. U....

1062
Stanley "Eltham" 1949 British Theodolite
This is a remarkable example of post-WWII British precision engineering: a Stanley "Eltham" theodolite, instrument No. 5143, dated to approximately September 1949. Manufactured by W.F. Stanley & Co. Ltd. in New Eltham, London, this transit instrument...

1063
WWI Bausch & Lomb M1915 B.C. Telescope
This genuine U.S. military B.C. (Battery Commander) Telescope, Model of 1915 A1, was manufactured by the Bausch & Lomb Optical Company of Rochester, New York, in 1918. This trench periscope features a robust brass body with its original black-finishe...

1064
Keuffel & Esser DARAD Bubble Sextant
This remarkable mid-century precision instrument is a Keuffel & Esser "DARAD" model bubble sextant, specifically designed for U.S. Army and Navy aerial and marine navigation. Manufactured in Hoboken, New Jersey, this "Type A" instrument (Serial No. 8...

1065
Keuffel & Esser Surveying Aneroid
This professional-grade "Improved Surveying Aneroid" barometer, manufactured for the renowned firm Keuffel & Esser Co. of New York and crafted in England, likely dates to the early 20th century (c. 1905�1920). Representing the pinnacle of early ...

1066
Keuffel & Esser Co Trough Compass Instrument
Keuffel & Esser Co Trough Compass Instrument, a prominent American manufacturer of drafting and surveying instruments, likely a clinometer, barometer or gauge, features a graduated scale, a central pointer needle, and a glass-fronted metal casing, us...

1067
Keuffel & Esser Surveying Aneroid W/Case
This sophisticated "Improved Surveying Aneroid" barometer was manufactured in England for the renowned American firm Keuffel & Esser Co. A vital tool for early 20th-century geologists and engineers, it features a compensated movement for temperature ...

1068
Vintage USGS Short & Mason Altimeter
Vintage USGS Short & Mason Altimeter This professional-grade surveying aneroid altimeter was manufactured by the renowned firm Short & Mason of London, a name synonymous with high-precision meteorological instruments since the 19th century. Stamped w...

1069
Large-Format Prismatic Surveying Compass W/Case
A high-precision, professional-grade Prismatic Surveying Compass (Schmalcalder-type), likely of British or American manufacture circa 1890-1920 This large-format instrument was designed for topographical mapping, civil engineering, or military reconn...

1070
Antique Brass Prismatic Surveyor's Compass W/Case
This 19th-century scientific instrument is a high-quality, professional-grade brass prismatic surveyor's compass, likely of British or American manufacture. The device features a silvered dial with cardinal points, an integrated clinometer for measur...

1071
Bausch & Lomb Optical Collection & Lens
This comprehensive collection features vintage scientific optics and accessories from the Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. of Rochester, N.Y. The centerpiece is a large, telescoping clear lens (Serial No. 2186015) measuring nearly 5" in length, likely an ob...

1072
Warren Knight Station Pointer 1940 WWII Navy
WWII US Navy 3-Arm Metal Protractor This is an exceptional World War II-era U.S. Navy Bureau of Ships 3-arm metal protractor, also known as a station pointer, precision-engineered by the Warren-Knight Co. of Philadelphia, U.S.A. Dated 1940, this vita...

1073
Keuffel & Esser 4286 Planimeter
An exceptional find for the precision instrument collector, this early 20th-century rolling sphere planimeter was manufactured by the premier Keuffel & Esser Co. of New York and Hoboken, New Jersey. Bearing model number 4286 and serial number 918, th...

1074
Antique Wooden Cased Trigonometer Drafting Tool
Housed in its original mahogany case, this late 19th or early 20th-century precision drafting instrument is an exceptional piece of engineering history. The "Trigonometer," as indicated by the intact instruction paper pasted inside the lid, features ...

1075
Antique Brass Three-Arm Station Pointer
This exquisite maritime navigation instrument is an antique brass three-arm station pointer, also known as a station pointer or protractor, resting securely inside its original fitted wooden velvet-lined case. Popularized in the late 19th and early 2...

1076
Vintage K&E Planimeter & USGS Station Pointer
This lot consists of two precision mid-century engineering and drafting instruments: a Keuffel & Esser Co. No. N4220 Compensating Polar Planimeter (Serial No. 1432, manufactured in Germany) housed in its original plush, blue velvet-lined black leathe...

1077
Vintage Hand Level Survey Instrument
Vintage Surveying Hand Level used by surveyors to determine horizontal alignment and measure grade, features a telescoping metal tube containing an internal bubble level mechanism, includes a sturdy, stitched brown leather case, marked with a "3", 5....

1078
Antique Brass Topographic Leveling Survey Device
Antique Brass Topographic Leveling Survey Device, a miniature alidade or expedition level used for topographic surveying and mapping, designed for portability includes the telescopic sight with spirit levels and adjustment knobs, separate piece at th...

1079
2 Antique Surveyor Compasses J W Queen
This fine pair of 19th-century scientific surveying instruments highlights exceptional American craft and engineering, featuring a square mahogany-cased surveyor's compass with an integrated tubular spirit level alongside an octagonal cased pocket cl...

1080
2 Antique Brass Spirit Levels Casartelli
An exceptional pair of 19th-century scientific surveying instruments, featuring precision brass tube spirit levels housing original graduated glass vials and housed in custom velvet-lined and plain mahogany fitted wooden storage cases with brass hook...

1081
Antique Abney Level Clinometer Survey Instrument
Antique Abney Level Clinometer, a handheld instrument used by surveyors, engineers and foresters to measure vertical angles and slopes, features a sighting tube with a fixed graduated arc, a movable arm, crafted from brass with a dark, aged patina, i...

1082
Antique Brass Abney Level F.W. & R. King
An exceptional piece of mid-to-late 19th-century American surveying history, this solid brass Abney level/clinometer was manufactured by F.W. & R. King of 226 Baltimore St., Baltimore, Maryland. Featuring an integrated spirit level vial and a vernier...

1083
Vintage Maritime Binnacle Compass
Vintage Maritime Binnacle Compass, used on ships and boats to house and protect a magnetic compass, brass helmet-shaped dome protects internal compass card from harsh weather, flip up glass port at the top, compass sits on a gimbaled suspension mecha...

1084
1910 HMS Worcester Station Pointer Set-Named
An exceptional, historically significant maritime find, this brass station pointer (three-arm protractor) navigational instrument is housed in its original brass-bound mahogany case with a vibrant green felt-lined interior. This superb Edwardian-era ...

1085
1938 US General Land Office Wall Map
An impressive 1938 wall map of the United States, including territories and insular possessions, issued by the United States Department of the Interior, General Land Office under Secretary Harold L. Ickes and Commissioner Fred W. Johnson. Engraved by...

1085
Polished Onyx-Style Globe W/Stand
An impressive contemporary tabletop world globe featuring a polished black onyx-style matrix ocean inlaid with colorful semi-precious stone and mother-of-pearl landmasses delineating individual nations. The sphere is mounted within a brushed nickel-f...

1086
Framed 1770 French Coromandel Coast Map
This is a rare, authentic 1770 French copperplate engraving by M.B.C.T. (attributed to chief French military engineer Jean Bourcet) and engraved by P. Croisey in Paris. Titled Theatre de la Guerre dans l'Inde sur la Coste de Coromandel (Theater of Wa...

1087
Framed Cleartype County-Town US Map
This vintage commercial Cleartype County-Town map of the United States was published by the American Map Company, Inc. of New York. Printed on heavy paper stock with hand-colored regional highlights in shades of blue, green, orange, and purple, it di...

1088
Geneva Lens Measure Optical Gauge
This late 19th-century scientific gauge is a classic Geneva Lens Measure (spherometer), designed to determine the dioptric curvature of optical lenses. Housed in a brass casing with a silvered dial face, the instrument displays multi-country patent d...

1089
Antique Machinist Precision Inclinometer Pair
This exceptional pair of antique precision machinist spirit levels, complete with their protective metal covers, showcases 19th to early 20th-century American craftsmanship. Both instruments feature brass top plates over heavy ebony or darkened hardw...

1089
Elliott Bros London Artificial Horizon
This 19th-century scientific instrument by renowned maker Elliott Bros of London is a classic brass and black glass artificial horizon, historically used for navigational and surveying observations when a natural horizon was obscured. Crafted from la...

1090
Antique Max Kohl Optical Apparatus
An exceptional early 20th-century German scientific optical demonstration apparatus manufactured by the renowned Max Kohl A.G. of Chemnitz, Germany, perfect for collectors of historic laboratory instruments and precision engineering. Expertly crafted...

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Inventions & Technology - LIVE
 Live Auction w/Online Bidding
Sale Date(s)
Saturday Sep 26,
Sale Location
8512 S. Union Rd.
Union, IL 60180
Listing Terms and Conditions
INTRODUCTION These Terms and Conditions of Sale govern all auctions conducted by Donley Auction Services ("Donley Auctions"), including those conducted online, via absentee bid, by phone, and in person. Donley Auction Services acts solely as an agent for consignors. Any announcements made by the auctioneer on the day of the auction take precedence over any printed, digital, or online information. 1. BINDING CONTRACT By registering and bidding, you enter into a legally binding contract and agree to accept all terms and conditions outlined herein. " COMMUNICATION CONSENT: Registration grants Donley Auction Services permission to contact you via email or text message regarding invoices, upcoming auctions, and company updates. " MEDIA RELEASE: By entering the auction premises, all attendees, bidders, and guests consent to being photographed, filmed, and/or audio-recorded. Registration and/or attendance constitutes irrevocable permission for Donley Auction Services to use your likeness, voice, and image in any promotional, marketing, digital, or broadcast media worldwide without compensation. 2. BUYER'S PREMIUM & FEES A standard base Buyer's Premium is added to the hammer price of every lot. If you use an online bidding platform, a platform fee is added to your total based on the system you choose: Base Buyer's Premium " Credit Card Payment: 22.5% " Cash, Check, or Wire Transfer: 18.0% (reflects a 4.5% cash discount) Online Platform Fees Added to your base Buyer's Premium: " In-House or Phone Bidding: o No additional platform fee. " Donley Auctions Online Platform (bid.donleyauctions.com): o Add 3% platform fee. " Third-Party Online Platforms (e.g. LiveAuctioneers, AuctionZip, Proxibid, HiBid): o Add 5% external platform fee. " Invaluable Online Bidding Platform Invaluable manages its own sliding-scale platform fees independently. (Note: Invaluable's exact fee is displayed on your bidding screen before you confirm your bid.) Your total cost is your base Buyer's premium plus Invaluable's platform fee: " Invaluable Platform Fee Structure: o Lots priced at $200.00 and under: Flat s$10.00 fee o Lots priced from $200.01 to $9,999.99: 5% fee o Lots priced at $10,000.00 and over: Capped at $500.00 3. DISCLAIMER: MULTIPLE BIDDING PLATFORMS Donley Auctions utilizes multiple synchronized bidding platforms. To ensure fairness, bidders must acknowledge the following: " COMPETING BIDS: Absentee bids placed on one platform will compete actively with live bids and pre-bids from other platforms. " REAL-TIME DELAYS: Electronic platforms are subject to internet latency. Even if your screen indicates you are the high bidder, the auctioneer may have already accepted a competing bid from the floor, phone, or an alternate platform. " TIE BIDS: In the event of a tie bid or identical bid amounts, the Auctioneer retains sole discretion to accept the first bid recognized by the clerk. This includes pre-bids or absentee bids placed days or weeks in advance; early electronic submission timestamps do not grant automatic priority or preference over other active bids. " RECOMMENDATION: To secure your items, bidders are strongly encouraged to bid LIVE or enter a true maximum absentee bid amount. 4. ITEM DESCRIPTIONS & CONDITION ("AS IS") " ALL SALES FINAL: All property is sold AS IS, WHERE IS. There are absolutely no refunds, exchanges, or returns for any reason. " NO WARRANTIES: Donley Auctions makes no representations or warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. The bidder is the sole judge of value, condition, age, authenticity, and origin. The absence of a condition report does not imply that a lot is free from wear, imperfections, or the effects of aging. " INSPECTIONS & REPORTS: Descriptions and photos are courtesy estimates. Items valued under $1,000 are collated only upon explicit request. We strongly encourage in-person inspection during previews. Off-site bidders assume responsibility for requesting a formal condition report via email (Info@DonleyAuctions.com) prior to bidding. Donley Auctions is not responsible for errors or omissions in catalog descriptions. " COPYRIGHTS & IMAGE USE: o NO TRANSFER OF RIGHTS: Buying a physical item does not transfer any copyright or reproduction rights to the purchaser. o OUR PHOTOS ARE PROTECTED: All photographs, graphics, and descriptions in our catalogs are the exclusive intellectual property of Donley Auction Services and our photographers. 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" PASSING OF TITLE: The highest bidder acknowledged by the auctioneer shall be the purchaser. Title passes immediately upon the fall of the auctioneer's hammer, at which point the buyer assumes full risk, liability, and responsibility for the lot. " DISPUTES: The auctioneer has final, absolute discretion to resolve active bidding disputes or re-offer a lot. In all post-sale disputes, the Tie Bid policy outlined in Section 3 applies, and Donley Auction Services' official sale record is definitive. 6. PAYMENT POLICY " INVOICING TIMELINES: o DONLEY PLATFORM, IN-HOUSE, & MOST THIRD-PARTY PLATFORMS: Invoices are transmitted via email shortly after the sale concludes, typically within one hour of the auction's conclusion. o LIVEAUCTIONEERS DELAYS: Due to additional manual steps required by LiveAuctioneers' "LiveShipping" program, these invoices cannot be sent the night of the sale. Bidders utilizing LiveAuctioneers will receive their invoices via email, typically within 1 to 2 business days following the auction. " PAYMENT DEADLINES: Payment or payment confirmation is due within 24 hours of receiving your invoice. " CASH/CHECK DISCOUNT VERIFICATION: To qualify for the discounted cash buyer's premium, you must contact our office at 815-923-7000 within 24 hours of receiving your invoice to confirm your intent to pay via Cash, Cashier's Check, Money Order, or Wire Transfer. Wire Transfers incur a $15 fee. Cashier's Checks and Money Orders must be sent via Priority or Express Mail with tracking. " AUTOPAY & PRE-AUTHORIZATION: For platforms utilizing automated payment systems (e.g., LiveAuctioneers, Proxibid), the card provided at registration may be automatically charged 72 hours post-auction if alternative payment has not been finalized. Bidders grant Donley Auction Services irrevocable pre-authorization to charge the card on file for the full invoice amount, including premiums, taxes, and fees. " SALES TAX: A 7.5% Union, IL sales tax applies to all Illinois residents and all in-person pick-ups. Applicable state sales taxes will be collected for out-of-state online buyers as required by law, unless a valid, signed resale certificate is filed with our office before the auction begins. " HIGH-VALUE PURCHASES: All invoices exceeding $10,000, or any invoice containing Coins and Currency, must be settled exclusively via Wire Transfer, Cash, or Certified Funds. " FIREARM LICENSE COMPLIANCE: A signed Federal Firearms License (FFL) is required for all firearm purchases within 2 days of the auction conclusion, regardless of the vintage (excluding most antiques and verified Curios & Relics eligible items). If a valid C&R license is not held, a standard FFL must be provided. Email all licenses directly to Shipping@DonleyAuctions.com with the customer's full name in the message body. " DECLINES & CHARGEBACKS: If a credit card is declined, an alternative valid payment method must be provided immediately. Disputing a valid credit card charge for auction purchases constitutes a material breach of contract. The bidder will be held liable for all legal, collection, and administrative fees incurred by Donley Auction Services in resolving the matter. 7. NON-PAYMENT & REMEDIES If an invoice is not settled in full with cleared funds within 5 business days of the auction date, Donley Auction Services reserves the right to exercise any or all of the following remedies: " LATE FEES: Assess a late fee of 1.5% per 15 days on the outstanding balance. " ACCOUNT DISPUTES: File a "Non-Paying Bidder" dispute with the respective bidding platforms, which may result in a permanent blacklist across global auction networks. " RESALE & DEFICIENCY: Cancel the sale or resell the property at public or private auction. The original defaulting buyer remains liable for any financial deficiency, plus handling charges and commissions from both sales. " LEGAL ACTION: Initiate legal proceedings for the recovery of the total balance due, including accumulated interest, court costs, and reasonable attorney fees. " SECURITY INTEREST: The purchaser grants Donley Auction Services a security interest in any of their property currently in our possession, which may be retained as collateral until all debts are satisfied. 8. SHIPPING POLICY CRITICAL: Donley Auctions In-House Shipping costs are not included in your auction invoice. Shipping is handled as a separate transaction through our fulfillment partner, Shipping Saint. " LIVEAUCTIONEERS OPT-OUT REQUIRED: If you are bidding via LiveAuctioneers, you must select "Arrange Your Own Shipping" or "Local Pickup" during their checkout process. 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Featuring premier selections from the distinguished Dale Beeks, Allen Koenigsberg, and Howard Hazelcorn collections, this curated auction presents a captivating journey across the frontiers of early science, visual culture, and vintage entertainment. Physical expansion began on the frontier, where precision instruments mapped untamed landscapes. Central to this story is The Dale Beeks Collection, reflecting the life�s work of a nationally recognized authority, master restorer, and museum consultant who developed a passion for precision tools while surveying in Idaho. Highlights include 19th- and early 20th-century brass theodolites, transit levels, maritime sextants, and research microscopes from master makers like Bausch & Lomb, Cooke, Troughton & Simms, and Keuffel & Esser. Simultaneously, visual media and pre-cinema wonders tore down geographic walls: cased daguerreotypes, daguerrian tokens, ambrotypes, tintypes, magic lantern slides, zoetropes, and stereoview collections transported families to distant lands. Sound and industry bridged physical divides, as telegraph sounders tapped out Morse code, oak magneto telephones carried voices across continents, early light bulbs illuminated growing cities, and railroad lanterns guided engines linking communities. In laboratories, early electrotherapeutic cabinets and quack medicine devices pushed human vision and health past natural limits. Finally, this era culminated in pure wonder. Grand movie palaces offered cathedrals of escape through historic architectural elements, lobby relics, and theater seating, while antique Seeburg and Wurlitzer coin pianos brought automated music to parlor halls.

1001
W. F. Stanley Surveying Compass W/Case & Tripod
This is a remarkable 19th-century brass surveying instrument�specifically a dial/compass featuring a clinometer scale reading "Diff. of Hypo. & Base"�crafted by the renowned maker W. F. Stanley at Great Turnstile, Holborn, London. The set f...

1002
Vintage French Brass Surveyor Compass Set
An impressive vintage French brass surveyor's compass set, housing a finely detailed brass compass dial marked "FRANCE" alongside black folding sighting vanes and a removable brass mounting spindle, all neatly fitted within its original green felt-li...

1003
Gustav Heyde Dresden Transit & Tripod
An exceptional late 19th- to early 20th-century scientific surveying instrument by renowned precision maker Gustav Heyde of Dresden, Germany, bearing serial/model number 815. Crafted from painted brass, gunmetal gray housings, fine level vials, and d...

1004
Antique K&E Theodolite & Tripod Set
This exceptional early to mid-20th-century surveying set features a vintage Municipal Triangulation Theodolite (Model No. 5086V, Serial No. 60603) crafted by the renowned Keuffel & Esser Co. in Hoboken, New Jersey. A premier instrument of its era, it...

1005
Bausch & Lomb No. 55 Engineer's Transit
This is an exceptional "Engineers" Model No. 55 transit/tachymeter produced by the Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. of Rochester, NY, dating to approximately 1915. This precision instrument features a 5.5-inch horizontal limb, a 5-inch vertical circle, and ...

1006
Cooke, Troughton & Simms T65 & Tripod
This remarkable ensemble features a Model T65 "Tavistock" optical theodolite, precision-engineered by Cooke, Troughton & Simms of York, England, circa 1935, paired with a professional wooden surveying tripod. A masterpiece of British instrumentation,...

1007
Antique Saegmuller Brass Mining Transit
Crafted during the turn-of-the-century golden era of American precision instrument making, this early 1900s 5-inch mining transit is signed by Bausch, Lomb, Saegmuller Co. of Rochester, New York, with patent dates of September 1, 1903, and January 30...

1007
Wooden Surveyors Tripod
An excellent piece of industrial maritime and field engineering, this early 20th-century surveyor's transit tripod features heavy-duty split hardwood legs, original metal shoe tips, and a robust brass mounting collar with a 3-inch threaded ring desig...

1008
Inter-War David White Navy "NOL" Aero Theodolite
This rare WWII-era "Theodolite - Shore" (Aero-1928-USN) is a sophisticated piece of naval history manufactured by the David White Company of Milwaukee, WI. A standout feature of this unit is the "NOL" stamp on the base, identifying it as property of ...

1009
Bausch & Lomb Model 603 Theodolite & Case
This is a remarkable professional-grade Model 603 Theodolite from the prestigious Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. of Rochester, NY, dating to approximately 1916. A true "Triple Alliance" instrument, it features a 12-inch telescope equipped with a Saegmulle...

1010
Warren-Knight Model 25C Survey Transit Case/Tripod
This "Sterling" Model 25-C surveying transit was manufactured by the Warren-Knight Co. of Philadelphia on August 8, 1913. The precision instrument features a 6.25" horizontal limb, a 4.5" vertical circle, and an 11" telescope, centered by a deeply di...

1011
Vintage Dietzen Surveying Wooden Tripod
This mid-century surveyor's or engineer's tripod was manufactured by the Eugene Dietzgen Company in Chicago, Illinois. Crafted with solid hardwood legs and robust brass hardware�including top wing-nut fasteners, an upper threaded mounting head a...

1012
W. Mansfield Water Finder Kit, Case W/Tripod
A remarkably well-preserved Mansfield Patent Automatic Water Finder, manufactured by W. Mansfield & Co. in Birkenhead, England, dating to the early-to-mid 20th century. This highly specialized scientific instrument, historically used by surveyors and...

1013
Antique Troughton & Simms London Theodolite
An exceptional circa 1900 brass scientific instrument, this antique transit theodolite was manufactured by the renowned makers Troughton & Simms in London, England. Provenance labels inside the lid of the protective mahogany transit case note that th...

1014
Bausch & Lomb Saegmuller Precise Level
This highly significant engineering instrument is a Bausch & Lomb Saegmuller "Precise Level," manufactured in Rochester, N.Y., and built to U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey specifications circa 1907. A true collector's piece, the 17-inch telescope is c...

1015
Cooke Troughton & Simms Theodolite w/ Case
A remarkable example of British precision engineering, this 1935 Cooke, Troughton & Simms, Ltd. transit theodolite (Serial No. 35079) was manufactured in York, England. Featuring a 5-inch horizontal limb and a 5.25-inch vertical circle, this instrume...

1016
Antique Spears & Co. Surveyor's Compass
This exceptional mid-to-late 19th-century surveyor's dial compass reflects the fine instrument-making traditions of Dublin, Ireland. Explicitly marked "Spears & Co. 27 College Green Dublin," this scientific instrument features a beautifully engraved ...

1017
Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. Survey Transit W/Case
This professional-grade vintage survey transit, crafted by the renowned Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. of Rochester, N.Y. (Serial No. 10205), is a testament to early 20th-century American precision engineering. Research into Bausch & Lomb�s productio...

1017
Wooden Surveyor Transit Tripod
An exceptional early 20th-century wooden transit tripod crafted with open-slotted skeleton legs and a threaded brass mounting head with cast wing-nut hardware. Designed for field survey work or high-grade transit instruments, it features heavy-duty c...

1018
Vintage Dietzgen Wooden Surveyor Tripod
This is a classic piece of professional field equipment from Eugene Dietzgen Co., a titan in the engineering and drafting world. Crafted with robust oak legs and industrial-grade steel hardware, this tripod features the iconic adjustable leg design w...

1019
Antique C.L. Berger & Sons Survey Tripod
This is a remarkably well-preserved example of American precision engineering: an antique surveying tripod manufactured by the esteemed C.L. Berger & Sons of Boston, Massachusetts. Featuring the iconic "CLB" logo on the cast metal head, this piece da...

1020
Wooden Surveyors Tripod
Crafted in the early 20th century, this classic hardwood surveyor's tripod features robust brass hardware fittings, heavy-duty metal ground spikes, and a circular wooden top mounting plate. Bearing an inventory stencil mark reading "10" along one upp...

1021
Wood Surveying Transit Tripod
Crafted for rugged field utility in early surveying and engineering applications, this antique wooden tripod features split-leg construction with patinated cast metal fittings and a brass threaded top plate designed to mount a surveying transit or le...

1022
Brass & Wood Surveyor Tripod
An impressive early 20th-century field surveying tripod crafted from solid hardwood with brass fitting hardware, wing nut tensioners, and iron-shod metal tips. Designed with classic split-leg architecture and a 5.5-inch round wooden top plate bearing...

1023
Antique W. & L.E. Gurley Surveying Tripod
This classic piece of engineering history is a split-leg wooden surveying tripod crafted by the renowned W. & L.E. Gurley of Troy, N.Y., a titan in precision instruments since the mid-19th century. Featuring robust hardwood legs with a deep patina, t...

1024
Keuffel & Esser Co. NY Antique Tripod
This impressive piece of engineering is a vintage professional surveying tripod manufactured by the renowned Keuffel & Esser Co. (K&E), likely dating from the early to mid-20th century. Established in New York, with manufacturing centers in Hoboken, ...

1025
Antique Dennert & Pape Brass Theodolite
An exceptional example of late 19th to early 20th-century scientific engineering, this antique surveying transit/theodolite is beautifully engraved by the prestigious German maker "Dennert & Pape" of "Hamburg-Altona" and bears the serial number 1010....

1026
Keuffel & Esser Brass Alidade w/ Case
This exceptional Keuffel & Esser Co. high post plane table alidade, Model 5205, is an outstanding piece of late 19th-century engineering history. Produced circa 1892 in New York, NY, this instrument features a heavy brass construction with a dark bra...

1027
W.F. Stanley Antique Brass Theodolite
An exceptional turn-of-the-century scientific instrument, this antique brass surveyor's transit theodolite is a testament to British precision engineering. Produced by the renowned W.F. Stanley & Co. of London, the brass instrument features a multi-g...

1028
Troughton & Simms Transit Theodolite
An exceptional antique 6-inch transit theodolite by Troughton & Simms, Ltd. (London, England), crafted circa 1916�1921. This precision scientific survey instrument features solid brass, bronze, and optical elements, housed in its fitted mahogany...

1029
David White Co Surveying Tripod
This classic early-to-mid 20th-century surveyor's tripod was manufactured by the David White Company of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as indicated by the cast lettering around the top aluminum threaded collar. Crafted with sturdy split-leg hardwood timber co...

1030
Warren-Knight Wooden Surveyor Tripod
This professional-grade surveyor�s tripod was manufactured by the Warren-Knight Co. of Philadelphia, PA, a firm renowned since the early 20th century for precision engineering. Constructed from durable, honey-toned hardwood with robust cast-iron...

1031
WWII Ross Admiralty Binoculars Tripod
This is for the tripod only, It is for the WW II era Royal Navy Admiralty bridge binoculars made by Ross of London. Ross supplied high end binoculars to the British Navy during both world wars. It would mount on this wood leg tripod with brass and br...

1032
Vintage Dietzgen Surveyors Grade Rod Set
This is a professional-grade surveying kit featuring a heavy-duty folding leveling rod and a specialized spring-loaded sighting or mounting base. The primary rod is a classic Dietzgen 6562, crafted from durable hardwood with brass hinges and a bold, ...

1033
Antique German L. Tesdorf Surveying Level
his exceptionally fine late-19th-century scientific instrument represents a peak era of precision European engineering. Manufactured by the renowned firm L. Tesdorf in Stuttgart, Germany, this scientific surveying transit/level features a beautifully...

1034
1940 E.R. Watts & Son Brass Theodolite
This is a magnificent example of British precision engineering: a 1940-dated brass vernier theodolite manufactured by the prestigious E.R. Watts & Son of London. A true wartime instrument, it features the distinct "War Finish" stamping and the Britis...

1035
Bausch & Lomb Transit Serial No. 11309
This "Municipal" Model 063 transit, bearing Serial Number 11309, is a remarkable specimen from the Bausch & Lomb Optical Company of Rochester, NY, manufactured circa 1914�1916. This era represents the "Triple Alliance" period, a prestigious coll...

1036
Antique Keuffel & Esser Brass Level
This early 20th-century brass surveyor's level by Keuffel & Esser Co. (New York, serial number 16601) represents classic American scientific instrumentation, complete with its original fitted wooden carrying box stenciled "ENGER BROS." on the lid and...

1037
1883 Harmon Transit Level
This exceptional Victorian-era scientific instrument stands as a testament to late 19th-century American craftsmanship, custom-engraved by precision toolmaker John W. Harmon of Boston, Massachusetts. Designed as an artificer's leveling instrument, th...

1038
Antique A. Kr�ss Hamburg Spectrometer
This precision scientific instrument is a late 19th to early 20th-century spectrometer (or goniometer) manufactured by the renowned firm A. Kr�ss in Hamburg, Germany. Founded in 1796, Kr�ss became a global leader in optical engineering, win...

1039
Heath & Co. Antique Artificial Horizon
This exceptional piece of maritime history is an antique navigational artificial horizon produced by the renowned Heath & Co. of London, England. Used to provide a reliable reflective surface for sextant observations when the natural horizon was obsc...

1040
1932 Keuffel & Esser Surveying Sextant
This exceptional pre-war scientific instrument is a 1932 surveying sextant manufactured by the renowned Keuffel & Esser Co. of New York and Hoboken, New Jersey. Expertly constructed from black-finished metal and brass, the precision apparatus feature...

1041
c. 1910 Buff & Buff Surveyor's Transit
A fine early 20th-century brass and blackened metal surveyor's transit, Model 1-B, manufactured by the Buff & Buff Manufacturing Company of Boston, Massachusetts. This historic engineering instrument features a 4.25-inch silvered compass face signed ...

1042
Brass Marine Sextant in Box-Calcutta
This exceptional late 19th to early 20th-century marine sextant exemplifies the precision of British nautical engineering, featuring a handsome brass frame, an inlaid silver or ivory scale, a turned wooden handle, and multiple accompanying optical sc...

1043
Antique Bausch & Lomb Sextant Model 24
This Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. Model 24 sextant, identified as a "Triple Alliance" instrument from Rochester, NY, circa 1911, features a black-finished brass frame with a 7.5-inch radius and an inlaid silver scale. Representing the peak of maritime n...

1044
Antique Hahn Instrument Co. Mining Transit
This high-precision surveying transit is a fascinating cross-continental relic, featuring a compass dial marked for the Hahn Instrument Co. of Denver, Colorado, while explicitly noted as "Made in Germany" with a distinct manufacturer's logo and seria...

1045
Bausch & Lomb Model 50 Railroad Transit
This professional-grade "Railroad" Transit, Model 50, was manufactured by the renowned Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. of Rochester, NY, around 1909. A quintessential tool of early 20th-century American infrastructure, this instrument features a 9.75" tele...

1046
E.R. Watts 1925 Brass Theodolite Set
This sophisticated scientific instrument is a professional-grade transit theodolite manufactured by the renowned E.R. Watts & Son of London, dated June 24, 1925 (Serial No. 10570). Finished in a handsome black enamel over brass with nickel fittings, ...

1047
Bausch & Lomb Precision Level & Case
This is a museum-quality precision optical level manufactured by the Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. of Rochester, N.Y., circa 1913. Bearing serial number 9724, this instrument dates to the prestigious "Triple Alliance" era, a short-lived but significant p...

1048
WWII British Military Mark IV Theodolite
This Mark IV Tacheometer (Theodolite), manufactured by Watts, Freeman & Son (W.F.S.) around 1944, is a rugged piece of Allied field gear marked with the British Broad Arrow and pattern number B 966. Finished in a non-reflective dark charcoal gray, th...

1049
Bausch & Lomb Model 121 Wye Level
This is a professional-grade Bausch & Lomb Model 121 Wye Level, a pinnacle of early 20th-century American engineering originating from Rochester, NY. Dated approximately 1910�1912 (Serial No. 8852), this "Triple Alliance" instrument features a 2...

1050
Cooke, Troughton & Simms Theodolite W/Case
This historically significant "Mountain Theodolite," serial number 30009, was manufactured by the renowned firm of Cooke, Troughton & Simms, Ltd. of London and York. A masterclass in British optical engineering, this 1940-era precision instrument fea...

1051
Bausch & Lomb Model 90 Alidade & Case
This Bausch & Lomb Model 90 "Topographic" High Post Plane Table Alidade was manufactured in Rochester, NY, circa 1914�1916 during the "Triple Alliance" era. The instrument features an 18-inch black-finished brass blade, a telescopic sight with b...

1052
Hildebrand Strassburg Theodolite & Case
This precision surveying instrument is a remarkable artifact of early 20th-century German engineering, manufactured by the renowned Hildebrand-Wichmann-Werke of Freiberg and Berlin. The set includes its original light-wood transport case�complet...

1053
Tamaya & Co. Japanese Transit Level
This is a precision-engineered Japanese surveying transit, manufactured by the renowned Tamaya & Co. of Ginza, Tokyo, dated 1955. A true centerpiece for any collection of scientific instruments, it features a classic black-lacquered finish with polis...

1054
Dr. Kolzer-Sprenger Pilot Theodolite
This is a remarkable example of a "broken telescope" style pilot balloon theodolite, designed by Dr. Koelzer and manufactured by Edouard Sprenger in Berlin, Germany, circa 1930-1940. This precision optical instrument features a black lacquered finish...

1055
Antique C. Baker London Theodolite & Case
This is a phenomenal late 19th to early 20th-century brass scientific surveying instrument, specifically a transit theodolite, complete with its original fitted mahogany transport case. The instrument features a beautiful blackened and polished brass...

1056
E.R. Watts & Son London Transit Theodolite W/Key
This precision E.R. Watts & Son Ltd. (London) transit theodolite, serial no. 31274, is a superb example of mid-20th-century British engineering. Finished in a functional military-style olive drab, the instrument features high-quality brass and steel ...

1057
West London Surveying Transit And Case
An impressive piece of 19th-century English precision engineering manufactured by West at 92 & 93 Fleet Street, London, as hand-engraved on the base plate. Crafted from brass and oxidized metal, this surveyor's transit features a main telescope with ...

1058
1907 W.F. Stanley Transit Theodolite
This is a remarkably well-preserved October 1907 transit theodolite by the prestigious W. F. Stanley & Co. Ltd. of London. A specialized triangulation instrument (Serial No. 107205), it features a 5" beveled horizontal limb reading to 10" by filar mi...

1059
Bausch & Lomb "Gavatt" Dumpy Level W/Case
This professional-grade Engineer�s Dumpy Level, Model 114, known as the "Gavatt," was manufactured by the renowned Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. of Rochester, NY, circa 1915-1920. A staple of early 20th-century American infrastructure projects, this...

1060
Tamaya & Co. Japanese WWII Theodolite
This rare WWII-era Japanese theodolite, manufactured by the renowned Tamaya & Co. in Ginza, Tokyo (Serial No. 31), is a precision surveying instrument modeled after the German Hildebrandt design. During the 1930s and 40s, Tamaya served as a primary o...

1061
1920s Soviet Tochnaya Mekhanika Theodolite
This exceptional surveying instrument, manufactured between 1920 and 1925 by the Tochnaya Mekhanika (Precision Mechanics) trust in Moscow, represents a fascinating era of early Soviet industrialization. The compass face bears the markings H.K.Z.C. U....

1062
Stanley "Eltham" 1949 British Theodolite
This is a remarkable example of post-WWII British precision engineering: a Stanley "Eltham" theodolite, instrument No. 5143, dated to approximately September 1949. Manufactured by W.F. Stanley & Co. Ltd. in New Eltham, London, this transit instrument...

1063
WWI Bausch & Lomb M1915 B.C. Telescope
This genuine U.S. military B.C. (Battery Commander) Telescope, Model of 1915 A1, was manufactured by the Bausch & Lomb Optical Company of Rochester, New York, in 1918. This trench periscope features a robust brass body with its original black-finishe...

1064
Keuffel & Esser DARAD Bubble Sextant
This remarkable mid-century precision instrument is a Keuffel & Esser "DARAD" model bubble sextant, specifically designed for U.S. Army and Navy aerial and marine navigation. Manufactured in Hoboken, New Jersey, this "Type A" instrument (Serial No. 8...

1065
Keuffel & Esser Surveying Aneroid
This professional-grade "Improved Surveying Aneroid" barometer, manufactured for the renowned firm Keuffel & Esser Co. of New York and crafted in England, likely dates to the early 20th century (c. 1905�1920). Representing the pinnacle of early ...

1066
Keuffel & Esser Co Trough Compass Instrument
Keuffel & Esser Co Trough Compass Instrument, a prominent American manufacturer of drafting and surveying instruments, likely a clinometer, barometer or gauge, features a graduated scale, a central pointer needle, and a glass-fronted metal casing, us...

1067
Keuffel & Esser Surveying Aneroid W/Case
This sophisticated "Improved Surveying Aneroid" barometer was manufactured in England for the renowned American firm Keuffel & Esser Co. A vital tool for early 20th-century geologists and engineers, it features a compensated movement for temperature ...

1068
Vintage USGS Short & Mason Altimeter
Vintage USGS Short & Mason Altimeter This professional-grade surveying aneroid altimeter was manufactured by the renowned firm Short & Mason of London, a name synonymous with high-precision meteorological instruments since the 19th century. Stamped w...

1069
Large-Format Prismatic Surveying Compass W/Case
A high-precision, professional-grade Prismatic Surveying Compass (Schmalcalder-type), likely of British or American manufacture circa 1890-1920 This large-format instrument was designed for topographical mapping, civil engineering, or military reconn...

1070
Antique Brass Prismatic Surveyor's Compass W/Case
This 19th-century scientific instrument is a high-quality, professional-grade brass prismatic surveyor's compass, likely of British or American manufacture. The device features a silvered dial with cardinal points, an integrated clinometer for measur...

1071
Bausch & Lomb Optical Collection & Lens
This comprehensive collection features vintage scientific optics and accessories from the Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. of Rochester, N.Y. The centerpiece is a large, telescoping clear lens (Serial No. 2186015) measuring nearly 5" in length, likely an ob...

1072
Warren Knight Station Pointer 1940 WWII Navy
WWII US Navy 3-Arm Metal Protractor This is an exceptional World War II-era U.S. Navy Bureau of Ships 3-arm metal protractor, also known as a station pointer, precision-engineered by the Warren-Knight Co. of Philadelphia, U.S.A. Dated 1940, this vita...

1073
Keuffel & Esser 4286 Planimeter
An exceptional find for the precision instrument collector, this early 20th-century rolling sphere planimeter was manufactured by the premier Keuffel & Esser Co. of New York and Hoboken, New Jersey. Bearing model number 4286 and serial number 918, th...

1074
Antique Wooden Cased Trigonometer Drafting Tool
Housed in its original mahogany case, this late 19th or early 20th-century precision drafting instrument is an exceptional piece of engineering history. The "Trigonometer," as indicated by the intact instruction paper pasted inside the lid, features ...

1075
Antique Brass Three-Arm Station Pointer
This exquisite maritime navigation instrument is an antique brass three-arm station pointer, also known as a station pointer or protractor, resting securely inside its original fitted wooden velvet-lined case. Popularized in the late 19th and early 2...

1076
Vintage K&E Planimeter & USGS Station Pointer
This lot consists of two precision mid-century engineering and drafting instruments: a Keuffel & Esser Co. No. N4220 Compensating Polar Planimeter (Serial No. 1432, manufactured in Germany) housed in its original plush, blue velvet-lined black leathe...

1077
Vintage Hand Level Survey Instrument
Vintage Surveying Hand Level used by surveyors to determine horizontal alignment and measure grade, features a telescoping metal tube containing an internal bubble level mechanism, includes a sturdy, stitched brown leather case, marked with a "3", 5....

1078
Antique Brass Topographic Leveling Survey Device
Antique Brass Topographic Leveling Survey Device, a miniature alidade or expedition level used for topographic surveying and mapping, designed for portability includes the telescopic sight with spirit levels and adjustment knobs, separate piece at th...

1079
2 Antique Surveyor Compasses J W Queen
This fine pair of 19th-century scientific surveying instruments highlights exceptional American craft and engineering, featuring a square mahogany-cased surveyor's compass with an integrated tubular spirit level alongside an octagonal cased pocket cl...

1080
2 Antique Brass Spirit Levels Casartelli
An exceptional pair of 19th-century scientific surveying instruments, featuring precision brass tube spirit levels housing original graduated glass vials and housed in custom velvet-lined and plain mahogany fitted wooden storage cases with brass hook...

1081
Antique Abney Level Clinometer Survey Instrument
Antique Abney Level Clinometer, a handheld instrument used by surveyors, engineers and foresters to measure vertical angles and slopes, features a sighting tube with a fixed graduated arc, a movable arm, crafted from brass with a dark, aged patina, i...

1082
Antique Brass Abney Level F.W. & R. King
An exceptional piece of mid-to-late 19th-century American surveying history, this solid brass Abney level/clinometer was manufactured by F.W. & R. King of 226 Baltimore St., Baltimore, Maryland. Featuring an integrated spirit level vial and a vernier...

1083
Vintage Maritime Binnacle Compass
Vintage Maritime Binnacle Compass, used on ships and boats to house and protect a magnetic compass, brass helmet-shaped dome protects internal compass card from harsh weather, flip up glass port at the top, compass sits on a gimbaled suspension mecha...

1084
1910 HMS Worcester Station Pointer Set-Named
An exceptional, historically significant maritime find, this brass station pointer (three-arm protractor) navigational instrument is housed in its original brass-bound mahogany case with a vibrant green felt-lined interior. This superb Edwardian-era ...

1085
1938 US General Land Office Wall Map
An impressive 1938 wall map of the United States, including territories and insular possessions, issued by the United States Department of the Interior, General Land Office under Secretary Harold L. Ickes and Commissioner Fred W. Johnson. Engraved by...

1085
Polished Onyx-Style Globe W/Stand
An impressive contemporary tabletop world globe featuring a polished black onyx-style matrix ocean inlaid with colorful semi-precious stone and mother-of-pearl landmasses delineating individual nations. The sphere is mounted within a brushed nickel-f...

1086
Framed 1770 French Coromandel Coast Map
This is a rare, authentic 1770 French copperplate engraving by M.B.C.T. (attributed to chief French military engineer Jean Bourcet) and engraved by P. Croisey in Paris. Titled Theatre de la Guerre dans l'Inde sur la Coste de Coromandel (Theater of Wa...

1087
Framed Cleartype County-Town US Map
This vintage commercial Cleartype County-Town map of the United States was published by the American Map Company, Inc. of New York. Printed on heavy paper stock with hand-colored regional highlights in shades of blue, green, orange, and purple, it di...

1088
Geneva Lens Measure Optical Gauge
This late 19th-century scientific gauge is a classic Geneva Lens Measure (spherometer), designed to determine the dioptric curvature of optical lenses. Housed in a brass casing with a silvered dial face, the instrument displays multi-country patent d...

1089
Antique Machinist Precision Inclinometer Pair
This exceptional pair of antique precision machinist spirit levels, complete with their protective metal covers, showcases 19th to early 20th-century American craftsmanship. Both instruments feature brass top plates over heavy ebony or darkened hardw...

1089
Elliott Bros London Artificial Horizon
This 19th-century scientific instrument by renowned maker Elliott Bros of London is a classic brass and black glass artificial horizon, historically used for navigational and surveying observations when a natural horizon was obscured. Crafted from la...

1090
Antique Max Kohl Optical Apparatus
An exceptional early 20th-century German scientific optical demonstration apparatus manufactured by the renowned Max Kohl A.G. of Chemnitz, Germany, perfect for collectors of historic laboratory instruments and precision engineering. Expertly crafted...