Surveyors' level

Add to album

This surveyors' level was made around 1775, probably by John Yeaman, a scientific instrument maker based in Edinburgh. It is made of brass.

The level has a telescope tube for sighting and a bubble level, partially filled with coloured spirit, which can be adjusted by means of a screw.

John Yeaman developed a reputation for the quality of his levels. These were supplied to the rapidly growing number of land surveyors employed in the division of Scotland's common grazing land in the 1750s and 1760s.

Record details

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-100-102-739-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1977.133
• Date: Around 1775
  c. 1775
  
• Material: Brass. Inscription: J. Yeaman Edinr.
  Level, surveying
  
• Dimensions: 430 mm x 130 mm x 50 mm W
  
• What: Level, surveying
  
• Subject:
• Who: J. Yeaman, Edinburgh (Maker)
  
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: Brass surveying level, signed by J. Yeaman of Edinburgh, c. 1775
  
• 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 25-6, 53 
• Translations:
• Related Records: