Surveyors' level

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This surveyors' level was made around 1890, probably by James White, a scientific instrument maker based in Glasgow. It is made of brass.

The level has a bubble tube over the telescope, and rack-and-pinion focusing. Engraved on the telescope tube is 'J. WHITE/ GLASGOW'.

James White became famous for the electrical and navigational instruments developed and patented in collaboration with William Thomson, Lord Kelvin. However, White also produced a range of optical goods, such as this conventional surveyors' level.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-102-757-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1980.132
• Date: Around 1890
  c. 1890
  
• Material: Oxidised brass. Inscription: J. WHITE / GLASGOW
  Level
  
• Dimensions: 248 mm L
  
• What: Level
  
• Subject:
• Who: Arthur Frank Collection of Scottish Scientific Instruments
  James White, Glasgow (Maker)
  
• Where: Scotland, Lanarkshire, Glasgow
  
• Event:
• Description: 10" level in oxidised brass, with bubble tube above the telescope and 4-screw head, signed by James White of Glasgow, c. 1890
  
• References:
  • Clarke, T.N., Morrison-Low, A.D. & Simpson, A.D.C. Brass & glass scientific instrument making workshops in Scotland as illustrated by instruments from the Arthur Frank Collection at the Royal Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh: NMS, 1989. pp 170,267 
  • T.N. Clarke, A.D. Morrison-Low and A.D.C. Simpson (1989): "Brass and Glass 
• Translations:
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