sixteen-piece set of drawing instruments in wooden box
Date: circa 1915
Inventory Number: 1989-4-0011
Classification: Drawing Instruments
Dimensions:case: 5.1 × 21.3 × 10.8 cm (2 × 8 3/8 × 4 1/4 in.)
Accessories: double shelved mahogany case
DescriptionThe drawing instruments are stored in a rectangular mahogany box. There is a brass plaque centered on the top of the lid. There is a brass button on the front of the bottom of the box that, when pressed, releases the two brass hooks that hold the lid and bottom together, permitting the user to open the box. The button is centered on a square brass plate held in place by a screw in each corner. The sides of the box are thatched together, such that square grooves cut into the edges of the box panels fit into one another. The inside of the lid of the box is lined with padded, royal blue silk.
There are two shelves of instruments in the box. Both shelves are rectangular, and extend to the edges of the box on all sides. The top shelf lifts out of the box. Each shelf is partitioned into a number of differently sized and shaped grooves and impressions; each designed to hold one of the instruments. Both shelves are lined with dark royal blue felt designed to protect the instruments. There is a tab at the bottom of the blue silk panel inside the lid of the case. It pulls back the panel revealing an ivory scale and ruler, held in place by a rotating strip of brass and a wooden insert.
The top shelf that lifts out holds nine instruments. There are two ruling pens, each with two curved, sharp steel tips of adjustable width and a white handle. They are used in conjunction with ink or another writing fluid into which the pens are dipped prior to use. There is a steel lengthening bar that can be attached to various instruments, lengthening the handle. There are two small brass compasses, one with a holder for lead inserts and the other with a ruling pen tip for drawing, one large steel compass with lead attachment, one large brass divider, and two small steel attachments.
There are seven instruments on the bottom shelf that is fixed in the box. There is a small steel compass with lead drawing point, a small steel compass with ruling pen drawing point and a small steel divider. There are four steel discs with a triangular section from the center to the circumference cut out and folded down to act as a kind of pin. The discs are stuck into a block of cork to keep them in place. There is a rectangular compartment at the front of the shelf for storing small lead bars for use with the compasses, three wooden pencils, a small adjustment screwdriver, and a piece of chalk.
Signedengraved on inlaid brass plaque on box lid: HOUGHTON-BUTCHER / MFG CO. LTD. / 1916
etched on a divider handle in black lettering: 117.79 STANLEY 1918
etched on instrument handle in black lettering: ASTON 1918
etched on instrument handle in black lettering: ASTON & MANDER LTD 1915
etched on instrument in black lettering: ASTON & MANDER 1917 LTD
etched on instrument handle in black lettering: II THORNTON 1918
etched on instrument handle in black lettering: 9026 1917, W. HORWOOD
etched on instrument handle in black lettering: III 6504, W. HORWOOD 1917
etched on instrument handle in black lettering: 11906, W. HORWOOD 1918
engraved on the steel disc pins: A. W. FABER
FunctionThe set of drawing instruments is equipped for drawing and dividing lines, circles, and curves of various kinds. A set of this kind would be useful to draftsmen, architects, navigators, cartographers, engineers, mathematicians, and even artists. The rule pens permit the user to draw consistent inked lines of adjustable thickness. The compasses permit the drawing of circles and arc sections. The lengthening bar can be attached, by loosening and tightening a screw holder at one end, to various instruments to elongate them. Dividers are used to translate proportionate figures.
ProvenanceEdson Jewell, the former owner of this set, was a friend of David Wheatland from the Harvard class of 1922. The set was donated to the Collection from Jewell's estate by Steve Williams, Peabody Museum, Harvard University.