RevolutionCrossroads/si_us_revolutionary_era_collections huggingface dataset:
Saint Nicholas
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Icon
date made: 18th Century
place made: Russia
Physical Description: cast (overall production method/technique)
metal, "bronze" (overall material)
gold (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 6.5 cm x 4.3 cm x .46 cm; 2 9/16 in x 1 11/16 in x 3/16 in
Topics: Religion
Orthodox Eastern Church
The Annunciation
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Icon
date made: 18th Century
place made: Russia
Physical Description: cast (overall production method/technique)
metal, "bronze" (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 5.9 cm x 4 cm x .31 cm; 2 5/16 in x 1 9/16 in x 1/8 in
Topics: Religion
Orthodox Eastern Church
The Mother Of God Of The Sign
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Icon
date made: 18th Century
place made: Russia
Physical Description: cast (overall production method/technique)
metal, "bronze" (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 6.9 cm x 5.1 cm x .3 cm; 2 23/32 in x 2 in x 1/8 in
Topics: Religion
Orthodox Eastern Church
The Nativity Of The Mother Of God
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Icon
date made: 18th Century
place made: Russia
Physical Description: metal, "bronze" (overall material)
cast (overall production method/technique)
Measurements: overall: 6 1/2 in x 4 1/2 in x 3/8 in; 16.51 cm x 11.43 cm x .9906 cm
Topics: Religion
Orthodox Eastern Church
The Mother Of God: Joy Of All Who Sorrow
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Icon
date made: 18th Century
place made: Russia
Physical Description: metal, "bronze" (overall material)
cast (overall production method/technique)
Measurements: overall: 13.6 cm x 8.1 cm x .33 cm; 5 11/32 in x 3 3/16 in x 1/8 in
Topics: Religion
Orthodox Eastern Church
Gabriel with Horn Weathervane
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: weathervane
Date made: 1800-1850
place made: United States
Physical Description: metal (overall material)
paint (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 36.5 cm x 53 cm; 14 3/8 in x 20 7/8 in
Credit line: The Eleanor and Mabel Van Alstyne American Folk Art Collection
Topics: Art
Description (Brief): Depicting Gabriel with a horn. Gilded silhouette figure of a flying cherub blowing a horn. The eye and ear are cut out. One arms supports the horn. There are two wings, two legs of which one knee is bent.
Crucifixion Of Jesus Christ
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Icon
date made: 18th century
place made: Russia
Measurements: overall: 16.7 cm x 10.3 cm x .27 cm; 6 9/16 in x 4 1/16 in x 3/32 in
Topics: Religion
Orthodox Eastern Church
Saint Antipas
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Icon
date made: 18th Century
place made: Russia
Physical Description: metal, "bronze" (overall material)
cast (overall production method/technique)
Measurements: overall: 6.5 cm x 7.3 cm x .23 cm; 2 9/16 in x 2 7/8 in x 3/32 in
Topics: Religion
Orthodox Eastern Church
Saint Julitta And Cyricus
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Icon
date made: 18th Century
place made: Russia
Physical Description: cast (overall production method/technique)
metal, "bronze" (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 5.8 cm x 4.2 cm x .36 cm; 2 9/32 in x 1 21/32 in x 5/32 in
Topics: Religion
Orthodox Eastern Church
Ruling Pen
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: pen
date made: 18th century
place made: Europe
Physical Description: steel (overall material)
Measurements: overall: .7 cm x 12 cm x .7 cm; 9/32 in x 4 23/32 in x 9/32 in
Topics: Pens and Pencils
Science
Mathematics
Drawing Instruments
Description: This 4-7/8" steel pen has twin blades whose line thickness is adjusted by a screw. The pen is not marked. Similar ruling pens first appeared in Europe at the beginning of the 18th century.
References: Maya Hambly, <i>Drawing Instruments, 1580–1980</i> (London: Sotheby's Publications, 1988), 57–58.
Sotheby & Company, Catalogue of a Collection of Scientific Instruments, the Property of the Late Henry Russel Wray, London, 1959 (a copy of the catalogue is in the accession file).
Crayon Holder and Extension Bar
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: crayon holder
date made: 18th century
place made: Europe
Physical Description: brass (overall material)
steel (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 14.2 cm x .6 cm x .6 cm; 5 19/32 in x 1/4 in x 1/4 in
Topics: Pens and Pencils
Science
Mathematics
Drawing Instruments
Description: A 3-3/8" round brass handle has an opening for inserting a crayon. It is not marked. The second object is a 3-1/2" hexagonal brass bar with hollow steel ends. One end is marked with the number 24 and the letter L. The other end is marked with the number 22 and the letter P. The bar could be inserted into a pen handle to accommodate different sizes of leads, although the ends and the openings in the ends have the same diameters.
The two writing instruments are made from brass of different colors, so the pieces may not belong together. The dates of objects purchased with these writing instruments suggest they were made in the 18th century. Crayon holders and double-ended pencil holders were known in Europe by the 17th century and widespread by the 18th century.
References: Maya Hambly, <i>Drawing Instruments, 1580–1980</i> (London: Sotheby's Publications, 1988), 65–66.
Sotheby & Company, Catalogue of a Collection of Scientific Instruments, the Property of the Late Henry Russel Wray, London, 1959 (a copy of the catalogue is in the accession file).
Group of 3 Crayon Holders
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: crayon holders
date made: 18th century
place made: Europe
Physical Description: brass (overall material)
steel (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 17.5 cm x 1.1 cm x 1.1 cm; 6 7/8 in x 7/16 in x 7/16 in
Topics: Pens and Pencils
Science
Mathematics
Drawing Instruments
Description: An octagonal brass tube with a round handle has a slide that extends its length to 8-5/8". The handle unscrews and can be removed to function as 4-3/8" brass and steel dividers. The other end has an unnumbered one-inch scale divided to twelfths.
The other two tubes are made of steel and have rings or sleeves that slide up and down to move the crayon and allow the user to grasp the crayon. The 6-1/4" crayon holder is not marked. The 5-1/16" crayon holder has a four-inch scale divided to 1/4" and numbered by ones from 1 to 4. Its top is engraved with a drawing of a bearded man.
The dates of objects purchased with these writing instruments suggest they were made in the 18th century. Holders for wax crayons, chalk, or charcoal sticks were known in Europe by the 17th century and widespread by the 18th century. They were employed by artists and draftsmen.
References: Maya Hambly, <i>Drawing Instruments, 1580–1980</i> (London: Sotheby's Publications, 1988), 65–66; Jacob Simon, "The Artist's Porte-Crayon," National Portrait Gallery, London, http://www.npg.org.uk/research/programmes/artists-their-materials-and-suppliers/the-artists-porte-crayon.php.
Reference:
Sotheby & Company, Catalogue of a Collection of Scientific Instruments, the Property of the Late Henry Russel Wray, London, 1959 (a copy of the catalogue is in the accession file).
Drawing Compass
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: compass, drawing
drawing compass
date made: 18th century
place made: Europe
Physical Description: brass (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 10.2 cm x 1.1 cm x .8 cm; 4 1/32 in x 7/16 in x 5/16 in
Topics: Science
Dividers and Compasses
Mathematics
Drawing Instruments
Description: This 18th-century brass drawing instrument appears to be mostly handcrafted. The needle point is relatively broad, and the pen point is shaped like a spade. Both legs are decorated with four horizontal lines, and the leg with the needle point is engraved with a horseshoe. Both sides of both legs have an apparently intentional gouge shaped like a triangle. The joint is round with a ridge around the bottom.
Reference:
Sotheby & Company, Catalogue of a Collection of Scientific Instruments, the Property of the Late Henry Russel Wray, London, 1959 (a copy of the catalogue is in the accession file).
Group of Two Dividers
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: dividers
date made: 18th century
place made: Europe
Physical Description: steel (overall material)
brass (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 1 cm x 9.5 cm x .8 cm; 3/8 in x 3 3/4 in x 5/16 in
Topics: Science
Dividers and Compasses
Mathematics
Description: Early modern European draftsmen used dividers to transfer distances from measuring instruments to architectural, topographical, mechanical, and engineering drawings. They also employed dividers in reading off distances on a sector, so that a numerical calculation could be made. The first pair of dividers has metal needle points inserted into brass legs. Decorative horizontal lines are engraved into the brass. The instrument is almost 4" long.
The second pair of dividers is entirely made of brass. Two sets of three horizontal lines are engraved into the outside of the legs. On one leg, a wheel is engraved below the lines. The instrument is 3-1/4" long.
References: J. F. Heather, <i>Mathematical Instruments: Their Construction, Adjustment, Testing, and Use</i>, rev. ed. (London: Crosby Lockwood and Co., 1870), i:13, 42.
Reference:
Sotheby & Company, Catalogue of a Collection of Scientific Instruments, the Property of the Late Henry Russel Wray, London, 1959 (a copy of the catalogue is in the accession file).
Dod Protractor and Parallel Rule
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: protractor
protractor and parallel rule
protractor; Semi-Circular, with Parallel Rule
date made: late 1700s
maker: Dod, Lebbeus
place made: United States: New Jersey, Newark
Physical Description: leather (overall material)
wood (overall material)
brass (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 2.9 cm x 33.5 cm x 14 cm; 1 5/32 in x 13 3/16 in x 5 1/2 in
Credit line: Gift of Ruth A. Ming
Topics: Parallel Rules
Science
American Revolution (1775-1783)
Mathematics
Dividers
Drawing Instruments
Protractors
Description: This brass semicircular protractor is divided by single degrees and marked by tens from 10° to 90° to 10°. It is attached with metal screws to a set of brass parallel rules. Brass S-shaped hinges connect the rules to each other. The bottom left screw on the parallel rules does not attach to the bottom piece. A rectangular brass arm is screwed to the center of the protractor. A thin brass piece screwed to the arm is marked with a small arrow for pointing to the angle markings. The protractor is stored in a wooden case, which also contains a pair of metal dividers (5-1/4" long).
The base of the protractor is signed: L. Dod, Newark. Lebbeus Dod (1739–1816) manufactured mathematical instruments in New Jersey and is credited with inventing the parallel rule protractor. He served as a captain of artillery during the Revolutionary War and made muskets. His three sons, Stephen (1770–1855), Abner (1772–1847), and Daniel (1778–1823), were also noted instrument and clock makers. The family was most associated with Mendham, N.J. (where a historic marker on N.J. Route 24 indicates Dod's house), but Dod is known to have also lived at various times in Newark.
ID number MA.310890 is a similar protractor and parallel rule. Compare also to a Dod instrument owned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/5535.
References: Bethuel Lewis Dodd and John Robertson Burnet, "Biographical Sketch of Lebbeus Dod," in <i>Genealogies of the Male Descendants of Daniel Dod . . . 1646–1863</i> (Newark, N.J., 1864), 144–147; Alexander Farnham, "More Information About New Jersey Toolmakers," <i>The Tool Shed</i>, no. 120 (February 2002), http://www.craftsofnj.org/Newjerseytools/Alex%20Farnham%20more%20Jeraey%20Tools/Alex%20Farnham.htm; Deborah J. Warner, “Surveyor's Compass,” <i>National Museum of American History Physical Sciences Collection: Surveying and Geodesy</i>, http://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/surveying/object.cfm?recordnumber=747113; Peggy A. Kidwell, "American Parallel Rules: Invention on the Fringes of Industry," <i>Rittenhouse</i> 10, no. 39 (1996): 90–96.
Metric Set Square
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: set square
date made: ca 1800
place made: France
Physical Description: brass (overall material)
Measurements: overall, folded: 16.2 cm x 2 cm x .4 cm; 6 3/8 in x 25/32 in x 5/32 in
Credit line: Gift of Mrs. Albert Haertlein
Topics: Science
Mathematics
Squares and Triangles
Metric System
Drawing Instruments
Description: This 6-3/8" brass rule unfolds to form a set square. The outer edge of one leg has a centimeter scale numbered by ones from 1 to 16. It is marked: N<sup>elle</sup> Mesure. The outer edge of the other leg has a scale for French inches (approximately 1-1/16") numbered by ones from 1 to 5. The first unit is divided into twelfths. The scale is marked: 6 Pouces. This leg has a pinhole for hanging a plumb bob and a rectangular hole with a rounded end (approximately 15/16" long) for viewing the plumb bob. The square has no maker's mark.
For a brief history of squares, see MA.316929. Typically, the legs were marked with scales for measuring lengths. What is unusual about this square is that it has both a traditional French measure and a unit from the newly introduced metric system, which is denoted as a "nouvelle mesure," or "new measure." The metric system was created in France in the 1790s, after the French Revolution of 1789. This suggests a date of about 1800 for the instrument.
Albert Haertlein (1895–1960), who collected this square, graduated with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1918. He served in the engineering corps of the U.S. Army during World War I and taught engineering at Harvard from 1919 until 1959. Haertlein was prominent in the American Society of Civil Engineers.
References: "News From the Classes," <i>Technology Review</i> 21 (1919): 645; Albert Haertlein, Papers, HUG4444, Harvard University Archives, Cambridge, Mass.
Entry 1985.0580.05.
Folding Yardstick with Comparative Measures
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: rule, folding
scale rule, folding
date made: 18th century
place made: Europe
Physical Description: brass (overall material)
Measurements: overall: .1 cm x 105 cm x 1.1 cm; 1/32 in x 41 11/32 in x 7/16 in
Credit line: Gift of Hermon W. Farwell
Topics: Rule, Measuring
Scale Rules
Science
Mathematics
Description: This European brass rule consists of twelve segments, ten that are 10.5 cm (4-1/4") long and two that are 9.6 cm (3-3/4") long. The segments are riveted together end to end to form a rule about 104 cm (41") long. On one side the rule has scales for Paris and London inches, numbered by ones from 1 to 36. The other side has scales for Venice and Vienna inches, numbered by ones from 1 to 36. On each of the four scales, the first inch is divided to 1/12" and the rest are divided to 1/2".
According to the rule, the Paris inch was 1-3/32" long, the London inch was 1", the Venice inch was 1-1/8", and the Vienna inch was 1-1/32". These lengths are within range of the pre-metric system national standards reported by contemporary arithmetic textbooks and modern historians.
References: Charles Hutton, <i>A Philosophical and Mathematical Dictionary</i>, new ed. (London, 1815), ii:35–36; Philip E. Stanley, <i>A Source Book for Rule Collectors</i> (Mendham, N.J.: Astragal Press, 2003), 242–252.
Pantograph in Case by Cary of London
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Pantograph
date made: from 1789
1789-1891
maker: Cary, William
place made: United Kingdom: England, London
Physical Description: brass (overall material)
hardwood (overall material)
metal (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 9.5 cm x 70.2 cm x 14 cm; 3 3/4 in x 27 5/8 in x 5 1/2 in
Topics: Science
Mathematics
Pantographs
Description: This pantograph has four linked brass bars with rectangular cross section. The longer bars on the outside are 26 ½ inches long, the shorter bars on the inside 13 ¼ inches long. Two arms on the pantograph are marked for reducing and enlarging, both having with one scale ranging from ½ down to 1/12 and a second scale going from 11/12 down to 2/3. Once the wheels are screwed in, the pantograph slides along a table. This example has a tracer point but no pencil point and no weight. A mark on one arm reads: Cary London. It fits in a shaped wooden case.
Compare MA.317868, MA.327891, MA.334888, and 2005.0182.8.
According to Gloria Clifton, William Cary, his descendants and their associates in London sold instruments, including a pantograph, under the name Cary from 1789 until 1891.
Reference:
Gloria Clifton, <I>Directory of British Scientific Instrument Makers 1550-1851</I>, Zwemmer, 1995, p. 51.
Pantograph in Case by Cary of London
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Pantograph
date made: from 1789
1789-1891
maker: Cary, William
place made: United Kingdom: England, London
Physical Description: stone (overall material)
brass (overall material)
steel (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 9.6 cm x 53.5 cm x 14 cm; 3 25/32 in x 21 1/16 in x 5 1/2 in
Credit line: Gift of Museum of Science and Industry
Topics: Science
Mathematics
Pantographs
Description: This brass pantograph consists of four linked rods with rectangular cross section. The two longer rods are about 49.5 cm. (19 ½ inches) long. The two shorter rods are about 9 inches and ten inches long. Marks near the ends of the rods away from the fulcrum read: B; D; [nothing]; C. Two adjacent rods (those marked B and D) are marked from 11:12 to 2:3 near one end and from 1:2 to 1:12 further up. Slides on these rods carry round holders. A round stone disc placed into the fixed outermost holder anchors the pantograph. A tube with a cup at one end fits into either of the two remaining round holders (the tube would hold a pencil point; the cup would hold pebbles, shot, or some other weight to keep the pencil on the paper). The tracer point which would go in the other holder is missing. The pantograph moves over the paper on four ivory wheels. A mark on the top of one arm reads: Cary London. The instrument fits in a shaped wooden case.
According to Gloria Clifton, from 1789 until 1891 William Cary, his descendants, and their associates in London sold instruments, including a pantograph, under the name Cary.
This instrument was once at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago.
Compare MA.317868, MA.327891, MA.334888, and 2005.0182.8.
Reference:
Gloria Clifton, <I>Directory of British Scientific Instrument Makers 1550-1851</I>, Zwemmer, 1995, p. 51.
Sheets, Attempt of a History of Calculating Machines
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Sheets, Set Of
date made: 1804
maker: Bischoff, Johann Paul
place made: Germany: Bavaria, Ansbach
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
Measurements: overall: .5 cm x 22 cm x 28.5 cm; 3/16 in x 8 21/32 in x 11 7/32 in
Credit line: Gift of Victor Comptometer Corporation
Topics: Mathematics
Calculating Machines
Description: This typescript is a translation from German of part of an 1804 book (or manuscript) by the Bavarian Johann Paul Bischoff. His title was <I>Versuch einer Geschichte der Rechenmaschine</I> (<I>Attempt of a History of Calculating Machines</I>). The document is from the library of Felt & Tarrant.
For related accessions see 305775 and 250163.
Photographs, Drawings and Tables to the Attempt of a History of Calculating Machines
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Photographs, Set Of
date made: 1804
maker: Bischoff, Johann Paul
Physical Description: alligator skin (overall material)
paper (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 2.3 cm x 32.3 cm x 24.2 cm; 29/32 in x 12 23/32 in x 9 17/32 in
Credit line: Gift of Victor Comptometer Corporation
Topics: Mathematics
Calculating Machines
Description: These photographs are mounted in an album, separated from each other by interleaved sheets of paper. For a related object, see 1991.3107.03 (a typescript of an English translation of a book by Johann Bischoff, for which these are drawings and tables).
The materials are from the library of Felt & Tarrant.
In addition to 1991.3107.03, see accessions 305775 and 250163.
Surgical Set
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Surgeon's Kit
surgical set
date made: 18th century
Measurements: overall: 6.4 cm x 54 cm x 23 cm; 2 17/32 in x 21 1/4 in x 9 1/16 in
Credit line: Gift of Rosalie F. Bailey
Topics: American Revolution (1775-1783)
Description: This surgical set belonged to Charles McKnight (1750-1791), a physician who served in the Continental Army during the American Revolution, and then practiced medicine in New York City. Most if not all of the instruments in the set came from the shop of William Hasledine Pepys (1748-1856), a surgical instrument maker in London.
[None]
Shepherd with Lamb from Traditional Nativity Group
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Santo
Date made: 18th century
Physical Description: wood (overall material)
paint (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 30.5 cm x 20 cm x 22 cm; 12 in x 7 7/8 in x 8 21/32 in
Credit line: Stapleton Foundation of Latin American Colonial Art
Topics: Nativity
Our Lady of Quito
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Santo
Date made: 18th century
place made: Ecuador
Physical Description: wood (overall material)
paint (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 28.5 cm x 14 cm x 8 cm; 11 7/32 in x 5 1/2 in x 3 5/32 in
Credit line: Stapleton Foundation of Latin American Colonial Art
Spring into Position Balance
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Coin Balance
Measurements: overall: 1 in x 6 in; 2.54 cm x 15.24 cm
1 Penny
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: coin
Date made: 1797
head of government: George III King of Great Britain
Credit line: Benjamin, Harvey G., and Norman Stack
1 Cent / 1/2 Cent
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: coin, modified
date made: 1804
associated date: 1804
maker: United States Mint
place made: United States
associated place: United States
Physical Description: bronze (overall material)
struck (overall production method)
Credit line: Ellis H. Robison
Battle at Aboukir medal, uniface trial impression, France, 1798
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Impression
Impression; Trial
Date made: 1798
associated place: France
Physical Description: white metal (uniface material)
Measurements: impression: 4.85 cm; x 1 15/16 in
Credit line: Mr. and Mrs. Kent Packard
1 Cash
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Coin
Date made: 1803
Physical Description: metal, bronze (overall material)
20 Cash
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Coin
Date made: 1807
Physical Description: metal, bronze (overall material)
5 Cash
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Coin
Date made: 1807
Physical Description: metal, bronze (overall material)
2.50 Cash
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Coin
Date made: 1807
Physical Description: metal, bronze (overall material)
5 Cash
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Coin
Date made: 1803
Physical Description: metal, bronze (overall material)
5 Cash
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Coin
Date made: 1791
Physical Description: metal, bronze (overall material)
15 Cash
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Coin
Date made: 1791
Physical Description: metal, bronze (overall material)
20 Cash
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Coin
Date made: 1791
Physical Description: metal, bronze (overall material)
20 Cash
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Coin
Date made: 1803
Physical Description: metal, bronze (overall material)
20 Cash
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Coin
Date made: 1808
Physical Description: metal, bronze (overall material)