RevolutionCrossroads/si_us_revolutionary_era_collections huggingface dataset:
Surveyor's Compass
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Surveyor's Compass
maker: Hanks, Benjamin
place made: United States: Connecticut, Mansfield
Measurements: overall length: 12 5/8 in; 32.0675 cm
needle: 5 3/8 in; 13.6525 cm
overall in box: 2 7/8 in x 14 3/16 in x 6 3/4 in; 7.3025 cm x 36.03625 cm x 17.145 cm
Publisher: Smart, Charles E.. American Surveying Instruments and Their Makers, Hoopes, Penrose R.. Connecticut Clockmakers of the Eighteenth Century
Topics: Geodesy
American Revolution (1775-1783)
Surveying
Description: Benjamin Hanks (1755-1824) apprenticed with Thomas Harland, an English clock maker who had recently migrated to Norwich, Conn. By 1777 Hanks was in business on his own in Windham, Conn. Like many American mechanics of that time, Hanks applied his skills in several directions. While specializing in clocks and watches, for instance, he asked the General Assembly to supply funds so that he could construct looms for weaving stockings. Hanks moved to Litchfield in 1780, and advertised surveyor's compasses in 1785. In 1786 he began casting bells. In 1808, now living in Mansfield and working in partnership with his son Julius, Hanks was making vernier compasses or, as he advertised, “surveyor's compasses upon the Rittenhouse improved plan.”
This compass was probably made early in Hanks's career. The face reads clockwise, and the bar is narrow. The north metal brace bears the inscription “HANKS.” One unusual feature is the clinometer scale at the south end of the face, which could be used to measure vertical angles; the clinometer needle is missing.
Ref: Penrose R. Hoopes, <i>Connecticut Clockmakers of the Eighteenth Century</i> (Hartford, 1930), pp. 79-83.
Charles E. Smart, <i>American Surveying Instruments and Their Makers</i> (Troy, 1962), pp. 70-71.
Surveyor's Compass
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Surveyor's Compass
surveyor's compass
date made: around 1800
maker: Harland, Thomas
place made: United States: Connecticut, Norwich
Measurements: overall length: 9 7/8 in; 25.0825 cm
needle: 4 in; 10.16 cm
overall: 6 7/8 in x 9 7/8 in; 17.4625 cm x 25.0825 cm
Publisher: Professional Surveyor Magazine
Topics: Geodesy
Surveying
Description: The "Made by Thomas Harland Norwich" inscription on the face of this surveyor's compass refers to Thomas Harland (1735–1807), an English clockmaker who settled in Norwich, Conn., in 1773. By 1790 Harland had a dozen or so apprentices and was producing some 40 clocks and 200 watches a year. An advertisement in the <i>Norwich Courier</i> of February 10, 1802, notes that Harland made and sold "Surveyors' Compasses, with agate centre needles."
With its narrow bar holding the vertical sights, this example resembles an English instrument of much earlier date. Since the face of the compass has no direction letters, it could be read either clockwise or counterclockwise. The "I.W.B. 1800" inscription on the bottom of this compass may refer to an owner.
Ref: Silvio A. Bedini, "Thomas Harland of Norwich, Connecticut," <i>Professional Surveyor</i> (July/August 1991): 60, 67.
Surveyor's Compass
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: compass
Surveyor's Compass
surveyor's compass
owner: Ellicott, Andrew
Douglas, Henry B.
maker: Rittenhouse, Benjamin
associated place: United States: New Jersey, Newton
Measurements: overall length: 13 1/2 in; 34.29 cm
needle: 5 3/4 in; 14.605 cm
overall; compass: 7 3/8 in x 13 5/8 in x 6 5/8 in; 18.7325 cm x 34.6075 cm x 16.8275 cm
overall; attachment: 5 in x 2 1/4 in x 1 1/2 in; 12.7 cm x 5.715 cm x 3.81 cm
Credit line: Henry B. Douglas
Publisher: Journal of Andrew Ellicott, Late Commissioner on Behalf of the United States During Part of the Year 1796, the Years 1797, 1798, 1799 and Part of the Year 1800 For Determining the Boundary Between the United States and the Possessions of His Catholic Majesty in America
Topics: Geodesy
American Revolution (1775-1783)
Surveying
Description: This surveyor's compass inscribed "B. Rittenhouse" and "A. ELLICOTT" was owned by the noted American surveyor, Andrew Ellicott, and remained in the Ellicott family until a descendant donated it to the Smithsonian. A remarkably similar compass, with the same inscriptions, is found at Fort Necessity National Battleground. For his survey of the southern boundary of the United States in the late 1790s, Ellicott used a Benjamin Rittenhouse vernier compass.
Ref: <i>The Journal of Andrew Ellicott, Late Commissioner on Behalf of the United States During Part of the Year 1796, the Years 1797, 1798, 1799 and Part of the Year 1800 For Determining the Boundary Between the United States and the Possessions of His Catholic Majesty in America</i> (Philadelphia, 1803).
Surveyor's Compass
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Surveyor's Compass
maker: Rittenhouse, Benjamin
Measurements: overall length: 14 3/4 in; 37.465 cm
needle: 5 3/4 in; 14.605 cm
overall in case: 3 1/2 in x 7 5/8 in x 16 1/4 in; 8.89 cm x 19.3675 cm x 41.275 cm
Topics: Geodesy
American Revolution (1775-1783)
Surveying
Description: This is marked "BENJAMIN RITTENHOUSE" and seems to be a typical Benjamin Rittenhouse compass from the period 1785–1796. The face is beautifully engraved, and the graduations on the needle ring are done with great accuracy. The socket joint can be adjusted so that the compass is held rigidly in place. The signature is off–center, however, with scant room for the final E.
B. Rittenhouse Wye Level
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: level (wye)
date made: about 1785
maker: Rittenhouse, Benjamin
place made: United States: Pennsylvania
Measurements: telescope: 26 in; 66.04 cm
Credit line: Gift of Charles Ellis Ellicott, III
Publisher: Rittenhouse
Topics: Geodesy
In Pursuit of Life, Liberty, and Happiness
American Revolution (1775-1783)
Surveying
Description: This wye level, one of the earliest made in America, is marked "Made by Benjn Rittenhouse." It was made around 1785, and owned by George Gilpin, the chief surveyor for the Potowmack Canal Navigation Company. Although this Canal Company had been organized in 1772, the project was shelved during the Revolution. It was resumed in 1785, and construction began the following year. Thomas Ellicott purchased the level at the sale of Gilpin's estate in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1813, and it remained in his family until its donation to the Smithsonian in 1997. The level vial of this instrument is mounted above the telescope. In the form that would become standard in the 19th century, the level hangs below the telescope.
Ref: Silvio A. Bedini, "The Telescopic Level in Early America," <i>Rittenhouse</i> 11 (1997): 109-123.
Pocket Compass
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: pocket compass
Measurements: overall: 3 5/8 in x 3 5/8 in; 9.2329 cm x 9.2329 cm
overall: 2.4 cm x 9.3 cm x 9.3 cm; 15/16 in x 3 21/32 in x 3 21/32 in
overall: 15/16 in x 3 9/16 in x 3 5/8 in; 2.38125 cm x 9.04875 cm x 9.2075 cm
Credit line: Alice M. S. and Dr. Henry C. J. Evans
Topics: Geodesy
American Revolution (1775-1783)
Surveying
Description: This small mahogany compass has an inset paper card with 32 points that was probably made for a nautical use. The outer edge of the card is graduated every degree, and numbered every 10 degrees in quadrants from north and south. Joseph McClellan (d. 1834), a captain in the Continental Army, is said to have carried it during the Revolutionary War.
A Fruit Piece
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: print
mezzotint
Mezzotint
date made: 1781
engraver: Earlom, Richard
publisher: Boydell, John
delineator: Farington, Joseph
original artist: Huysum, Jan van
place made: United Kingdom: England, London
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
ink (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 56.5 cm x 43 cm; 22 1/4 in x 16 15/16 in
Credit line: Marsh Collection
Publisher: Gregory M. Rubinstein. Richard Earlom (1743-1822) and Boydell's Houghton Gallery
Topics: Marsh Collection
Art
Communications
Food
Description: Mezzotint from George P. Marsh's copy of The Houghton Gallery, vol. 1. Removed from the binding for framing in 1894. Companion print to A Flower Piece, also after van Huysum. In the volume's table of contents, the publisher described these two prints as surpassing, "in point of execution, every print before engraved in this manner."
The Shepherd's Offering
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Print
print
engraving
Engraving
Print; Intaglio; Stipple
date made: 1783
originator (author or composer, etc.): Reni, Guido
original artist: Reni, Guido
delineator: Boydell, Josiah
publisher: Boydell, John
engraver: Michel, Jean Baptiste
place made: United Kingdom: England, London
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
ink (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 46 cm x 41.25 cm; 18 1/8 in x 16 1/4 in
plate: 44.25 cm x 39.5 cm; 17 13/32 in x 15 9/16 in
Credit line: Marsh Collection
Topics: Marsh Collection
Art
Communications
Religion
Nativity
Holy Family
Description: Engraving, stipple and roulette, within octagonal border; after painting attributed to Guido Reni. As explained in the text below the image, this print was made from a version of the painting in the collection of the Rt Revd Thomas Newton, Lord Bishop of Bristol, because the Reni painting in the Houghton Collection had been sent to Russia before a preparatory drawing could be made. Print removed from George P. Marsh’s copy of The Houghton Gallery, vol. 2. Marsh probably wrote the numeral 48 in pencil in the lower right corner. SI Secretary's library stamp embossed at lower left below image.
The Battlefield of Brandywine
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Print
Print; Intaglio; Engraving
maker: Doughty, Thomas
Smille, James
publisher: Graham's Magazine
Topics: Art
American Revolution (1775-1783)
group of people walking to church
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Print
Wood Engraving
Print; Relief; Wood Engraving
Date made: c. 1800
graphic artist: Anderson, Alexander
place made: United States: New York, New York City
Measurements: overall: 6.9 cm x 8.9 cm; 2 11/16 in x 3 1/2 in
Christ blessing woman on a stretcher
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Print
Print; Relief; Wood Engraving
Date made: circa 1800
maker: Anderson, Alexander
place made: United States: New York, New York City
Measurements: overall: 7.4 cm x 10.2 cm; 2 15/16 in x 4 in
Description: "Alexander Anderson (1775-1870), an American artist and physician, learned the art of engraving by copying the work of Thomas Bewick (English, 1753-1828). In 1804 he engraved some 300 illustrations for the first American edition of Bewick's "Quadrupeds." Anderson trained the generation of wood engravers who made Bewick's style dominant in early nineteenth century America. " (From "Cut on Wood: The Art of American Wood Engraving, 1790-1900" - Elizabeth Harris, Graphic Art Collection, 1979)
Portrait of an Old Woman
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: print
mezzotint
Mezzotint
date made: 1777
engraver: Earlom, Richard
original artist: Rembrandt van Rijn
delineator: Farington, George
publisher: Boydell, John
place made: United Kingdom: England, London
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
ink (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 47.5 cm x 32.25 cm; 18 11/16 in x 12 11/16 in
plate: 39.5 cm x 30.5 cm; 15 9/16 in x 12 in
support: 71.5 cm x 56 cm; 28 5/32 in x 22 1/16 in
Credit line: Marsh Collection
Topics: Marsh Collection
Women
Art
Cincinnati Industrial Exposition
Communications
Portraits
Description: Mezzotint after original painting by Rembrandt once in the Common Parlour at Houghton. Now in the Pushkin Museum, Moscow, with descriptive title, Portrait of an Old Woman. Print removed from George P. Marsh's copy of The Houghton Gallery, vol. 1. Pencil note on mounting sheet indicates print was taken out for Cincinnati Exhibition, 1888.
A Flower Piece
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: print
mezzotint
Mezzotint
date made: 1778
engraver: Earlom, Richard
delineator: Farington, Joseph
publisher: Boydell, John
original artist: Huysum, Jan van
place made: United Kingdom: England, London
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
ink (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 56.75 cm x 43 cm; 22 11/32 in x 16 15/16 in
Credit line: Marsh Collection
Publisher: Gregory M. Rubinstein. Richard Earlom (1743-1822) and Boydell's Houghton Gallery
Topics: Marsh Collection
Art
Cincinnati Industrial Exposition
Communications
Flowers
Description: Mezzotint from George P. Marsh's copy of The Houghton Gallery, vol. 1. Removed from the binding by curator S. R. Koehler for use in the Smithsonian exhbition at Cincinnati in 1888. Companion print to A Fruit Piece, also after van Huysum. In the volume's table of contents, the publisher described these two prints as surpassing, "in point of execution, every print before engraved in this manner."
Charles I King of Great Britain
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Print
Print; Intaglio; Engraving
Date made: 1770
engraver: Strange, Robert
original artist: Van Dyck, Anthony
Abraham's Sacrifice
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: print
mezzotint
Mezzotint
date made: 1781
original artist: Rembrandt van Rijn
publisher: Boydell, John
engraver: Murphy, John
place made: United Kingdom: England, London
Physical Description: ink (overall material)
paper (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 52.25 cm x 37.5 cm; 20 9/16 in x 14 3/4 in
plate: 50.5 cm x 35.5 cm; 19 7/8 in x 13 31/32 in
Credit line: Marsh Collection
Topics: Marsh Collection
Art
Communications
Religion
Description: Mezzotint after painting by Rembrandt once in the Gallery at Houghton Hall, Norfolk, England. Now in the State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg. Print removed from George P. Marsh’s copy of The Houghton Gallery, vol. 2. Marsh probably wrote the numeral 33 in pencil in the lower right margin. Notation on mounting sheet indicates the print was taken out for framing in 1894. SI Secretary's Library stamp embossed in lower left margin.
A Concert of Birds
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: print
mezzotint
Intaglio Processes
date made: 1778
engraver: Earlom, Richard
publisher: Boydell, John
artist attribution: dei Fiori, Mario
original artist: Snyders, Frans
place made: United Kingdom: England, London
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
ink (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 43.5 cm x 59.5 cm; 17 1/8 in x 23 7/16 in
plate: 41.75 cm x 57.5 cm; 16 7/16 in x 22 5/8 in
Credit line: Marsh Collection
Topics: Marsh Collection
Art
Animals
Music
Communications
Birds
Description: Mezzotint with etching and aquatint, after painting formerly attributed to Mario dei Fiori, once in the Small Breakfast Room at Houghton Hall, Norfolk, England. Now in the State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, attributed to Frans Snyders. Print removed from George P. Marsh’s copy of The Houghton Gallery, vol. 2.
It has been suggested that the subject may refer to Aesop’s fable of The Owl and the Birds or it may represent an allegory of Air or Hearing.
Pope Clement IX
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: print
engraving
Engraving
date made: 1780
engraver: Hall, John
original artist: Maratti, Carlo
place made: United Kingdom: England, London
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
ink (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 52.75 cm x 39.75 cm; 20 25/32 in x 15 21/32 in
plate: 51.25 cm x 38.25 cm; 20 3/16 in x 15 1/16 in
Credit line: Marsh Collection
Topics: Marsh Collection
Art
Communications
Religion
Description: Engraving with etching after painting by Carlo Maratti once in the Carlo Maratti Room at Houghton Hall, Norfolk, England. Now in the State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg. Print removed from George P. Marsh’s copy of The Houghton Gallery, vol. 2. Marsh probably wrote the numeral 24 in pencil in the lower right margin. Dedicated and signed in the plate on a folded paper shown at upper left: ... Papa Clement par Carlo Maratti.
Jacob Burying Laban's Images
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: print
mezzotint with etching
Mezzotint
date made: 1785
engraver: Earlom, Richard
original artist: Bourdon, Sebastien
publisher: Boydell, John
Physical Description: ink (overall material)
paper (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 43.5 cm x 52 cm; 17 1/8 in x 20 15/32 in
plate: 41.75 cm x 50.25 cm; 16 7/16 in x 19 25/32 in
Credit line: Marsh Collection
Topics: Marsh Collection
Art
Animals
Communications
Religion
Description: Mezzotint with etching and stipple engraving after painting by Sebastien Bourdon once in the Cabinet at Houghton Hall, Norfolk, England. Now in the State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg. Print removed from George P. Marsh’s copy of The Houghton Gallery, vol. 2. Marsh probably wrote the numeral 42 in pencil in the lower left margin.
A Lioness and Two Lions
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: print
engraving
Engraving
date made: 1782
engraver: Walker, William
artist attribution: Rubens, Peter Paul
Snyders, Frans
publisher: Boydell, John
delineator: Earlom, Richard
place made: United Kingdom: England, London
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
ink (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 44.25 cm x 53.25 cm; 17 13/32 in x 20 31/32 in
Credit line: Marsh Collection
Topics: Marsh Collection
Art
Animals
Communications
Description: Engraving with etching after painting formerly attributed to Peter Paul Rubens once in the Gallery at Houghton Hall, Norfolk, England. Now in the State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, attributed to the school of Frans Snyders, as A Lioness and Two Lions. Print removed from George P. Marsh’s copy of The Houghton Gallery, vol. 2. Marsh probably wrote the numeral 37 in pencil in the lower left margin.
The Prodigal Son
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: print
engraving
date made: 1781
publisher: Boydell, John
engraver: Ravenet, Simon Francois
original artist: Rosa, Salvator
delineator: Earlom, Richard
place made: United Kingdom: England, London
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
ink (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 53.25 cm x 39.5 cm; 20 31/32 in x 15 9/16 in
plate: 51.75 cm x 38.25 cm; 20 3/8 in x 15 1/16 in
Credit line: Marsh Collection
Topics: Marsh Collection
Art
Animals
Communications
Religion
Description: Engraving from original painting by Salvator Rosa once in the Gallery at Houghton, Now in State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg. Print removed from George P. Marsh’s copy of The Houghton Gallery, vol. 2. This is the larger of two engravings after Rosa's painting included in the Houghton Gallery set. Claiming that the print included in volume one was “too small for such a capital picture,” the publisher introduced another larger version for volume two, engraved by Simon Ravenet. It had first appeared in Boydell’s series, A Collection of Prints Engraved after the Most Capital Paintings in England, begun in 1769.
The Continence of Scipio
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: print
engraving
Engraving
date made: 1784
original artist: Poussin, Nicolas
publisher: Boydell, John
engraver: Legat, Francis
place made: United Kingdom: England, London
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
ink (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 48.5 cm x 60.5 cm; 19 3/32 in x 23 13/16 in
Credit line: Marsh Collection
Topics: Marsh Collection
Art
Communications
Roman history
Description: Engraving after painting by Nicolas Poussin once in the Gallery at Houghton Hall, Norfolk, England. Now in the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, Moscow. Print removed from George P. Marsh’s copy of The Houghton Gallery, vol. 2. Marsh probably wrote the numeral 52 in pencil in the lower left margin.
In the scene depicted, the Roman general Scipio returns to her fiancé a young woman captured in combat. The title is sometimes rendered as "Scipio's Noble Deed," and the subject was popular in art and literature.
Moses Striking the Rock
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: print
stipple engraving
Engraving
date made: 1788
original artist: Poussin, Nicolas
publisher: Boydell, John
Boydell, Josiah
engraver: Michel, Jean Baptiste
place made: United Kingdom: England, London
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
ink (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 48.5 cm x 61 cm; 19 3/32 in x 24 1/32 in
Credit line: Marsh Collection
Topics: Marsh Collection
Art
Bible
Communications
Description: Stipple engraving after painting by Nicolas Poussin once in the Gallery at Houghton Hall, Norfolk, England. Now in the State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg. Print removed from George P. Marsh’s copy of The Houghton Gallery, vol. 2. Marsh probably wrote the numeral 53 in pencil in the lower left margin.
The Cyclops at Their Forge
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: print
mezzotint
Mezzotint
date made: 1788
publisher: Boydell, John
Boydell, Josiah
original artist: Giordano, Luca
engraver: Murphy, John
place made: United Kingdom: England, London
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
ink (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 52.75 cm x 38.25 cm; 20 25/32 in x 15 1/16 in
plate: 50.25 cm x 35.5 cm; 19 25/32 in x 13 31/32 in
Credit line: Marsh Collection
Topics: Marsh Collection
Art
Communications
Mythology
Description: Mezzotint after painting by Luca Giordano once in the Salon at Houghton Hall, Norfolk, England. Now in the State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, as Vulcan’s Forge. Print removed from George P. Marsh’s copy of The Houghton Gallery, vol. 2. Marsh probably wrote the numeral 66 in pencil in the lower right corner. Notation on mounting sheet indicates the print was taken out for framing in 1894. SI Secretary's Library stamp embossed in lower margin over publisher's name.
A Fish Market
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: print
mezzotint
Mezzotint
date made: 1782
engraver: Earlom, Richard
publisher: Boydell, John
artist attribution: Boeckhorst, Jan
original artist: Snyders, Frans
delineator: Farington, George
place made: United Kingdom: England, London
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
ink (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 44.25 cm x 60.75 cm; 17 13/32 in x 23 29/32 in
plate: 41.5 cm x 57.75 cm; 16 11/32 in x 22 3/4 in
Credit line: Marsh Collection
Topics: Marsh Collection
Art
Fishes
Communications
Markets
Description: Mezzotint after painting by Frans Snyders and formerly attributed to Jan Boeckhorst, known as Long John, once in the Gallery at Houghton Hall, Norfolk, England. Now in the State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg with the background landscape attributed to Jan Wildens. Print removed from George P. Marsh’s copy of The Houghton Gallery, vol. 2. SI Secretary's library stamp embossed in lower margin to the left of the title.
Helena Fourment
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: print
stipple engraving
Engraving
date made: 1783
delineator: Farington, George
publisher: Boydell, John
engraver: Sailliar, Louis
original artist: Rubens, Peter Paul
place made: United Kingdom: England, London
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
ink (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 58.5 cm x 39 cm; 23 1/32 in x 15 11/32 in
Credit line: Marsh Collection
Topics: Marsh Collection
Women
Art
Communications
Description: Stipple engraving after painting formerly attributed to Anthony van Dyck, now considered to be by Peter Paul Rubens, once in the Cabinet at Houghton Hall, Norfolk, England. Originally in the Hermitage Palace, the painting was sold about 1930 and is now in the Gulbenkian Foundation in Lisbon. Print removed from George P. Marsh’s copy of The Houghton Gallery, vol. 2. SI Secretary's Library stamp embossed below image (trimmed; only partial stamp remains).
Pencil inscription on verso reads: "Should be Helena Fourment by Rubens," possibly in Jacob Kainen's hand.
Full-length portrait long considered to be of Rubens' second wife Helena Fourment (1614-1673), although the identity of the sitter is now in some dispute.