HENRY MARC BRUNEL (1842-1903)

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HENRY MARC BRUNEL (1842-1903)
A rare oxidised brass Metford pattern theodolite, signed on the horizontal circle "Pastorelli & Co., London" [but probably made by Husbands of Bristol], the vertical circle with silvered scale and vernier, fine tangent screw adjustment, the bubble level fitted to the spoked vertical circle with axix, the telescope limb with mounting for compass, the horizontal circle with silvered scale and 4 verniers labelled "1, 2, 3, 4" fittted for tangent screw and adjustment, the lower limb with similar adjuster and clamp, arranged on a three-screw tripod attachment, with label ("H. M. Brunel Esq., Delahay St. S.W."), contained in a truncated pyramid shaped mahogany case with leather carrying strap, containing two plumetts, a tommy bar and an eye-piece, 13½in. high.

Lot Essay

Sadly, this instrument has lost many of its original components including the vernier magnifiers, compass, various screws, clamps and object-glass dust-cap. It does, however, remain an important fragment of an unusual instrument of which the original specifications (some original drawings by Metford and correspondence by Henry Brunel), survive.

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