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Jason Clarke Antiques
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Eighteenth Century Waywiser or Surveyor's Wheel
An eighteenth or early nineteenth century waywiser or odometer.
This extremely rare blacksmith made artefact is made from ebonised wood with an iron bound wheel and turned spokes. To the centre is a box containing the mechanism comprised of a threaded axle which turns three wooden gears which are engineered to accurately measure miles, furlongs and yards. These are measured by means of a superb eighteenth century handwritten paper dial and three decorative iron pointers.
The odometer (also variously known as a sureyor’s wheel, a waywiser and perambulator) was used prolifically by surveyors and mapmakers during the period. One was certainly used by Major James Rennell (Surveyor General to the Honorable East India Company) during his surveying of Bengal. He is noted in “The Cyclopedia or Universal Dictionary of Arts, Sciences & Literature” in 1819 as saying that, “he measured a meridian line of three degrees with this instrument and found it to agree minutely with the observations of latitude. An Allowance however, was made for the irregularities of the ground whenever they occurred”.
Their history of course is much longer than that. It is supposed that Archimedes was the inventor of the odometer and it was further developed by Vitruvius. In the seventeenth century, waywisers were put to use in John Ogliby’s surveying of the British Isles, a slightly different model can often be seen pictured in the cartouches present on his maps.
A very similar example to this one currently forms part of the historical maps collection of Princeton University. These examples were used by the first surveyors of the United States.
A fantastically rare museum piece from the days of early surveying and map making.
SellerJason Clarke Antiques
View all stock from
Jason Clarke Antiques
Private dealer
By appointment only
Newbury
Berkshire
Tel : 07815 046645
Non UK callers : +44 7815 046645
This extremely rare blacksmith made artefact is made from ebonised wood with an iron bound wheel and turned spokes. To the centre is a box containing the mechanism comprised of a threaded axle which turns three wooden gears which are engineered to accurately measure miles, furlongs and yards. These are measured by means of a superb eighteenth century handwritten paper dial and three decorative iron pointers.
The odometer (also variously known as a sureyor’s wheel, a waywiser and perambulator) was used prolifically by surveyors and mapmakers during the period. One was certainly used by Major James Rennell (Surveyor General to the Honorable East India Company) during his surveying of Bengal. He is noted in “The Cyclopedia or Universal Dictionary of Arts, Sciences & Literature” in 1819 as saying that, “he measured a meridian line of three degrees with this instrument and found it to agree minutely with the observations of latitude. An Allowance however, was made for the irregularities of the ground whenever they occurred”.
Their history of course is much longer than that. It is supposed that Archimedes was the inventor of the odometer and it was further developed by Vitruvius. In the seventeenth century, waywisers were put to use in John Ogliby’s surveying of the British Isles, a slightly different model can often be seen pictured in the cartouches present on his maps.
A very similar example to this one currently forms part of the historical maps collection of Princeton University. These examples were used by the first surveyors of the United States.
A fantastically rare museum piece from the days of early surveying and map making.
Price The price has been listed in British Pounds.
Conversion rates as of 23/APR/2024. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer. Sold
Period Late 18th Century Antiques
Origin English
Item code as542a244 / 421
Status Sold
£0 
$0.00 
€0.00 
$
€
Conversion rates as of 23/APR/2024. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer. Sold
View all stock from
Jason Clarke Antiques
Private dealerBy appointment only
Newbury
Berkshire
Tel : 07815 046645
Non UK callers : +44 7815 046645
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