CECIL E. HANSON COLLECTION
ANTIQUE SURVEYING INSTRUMENTS

AMERICAN LEVELS

Holske - New York, NY, ca 1880+/-
(Sold on EBay - 9/20/2022)

Serial Number: None - Engraved on instrument is Wm F. HOLSKE, 9 Chambers Str., New York
Type: Wye
Telescope Length: 17"
Spirit level Length: 9"
Height: 9-1/2"
Weight: 12 lb
Condition: Good - Shows typical wear from use. The telescope focus mechanism does not work, but the rest of the instrument appears to be in good condition.
Box: No
Found:
CEH Inventory# L7

From Smart, Page 214:

WILLIAM F. HOLSKE (1822 - 1881)

New York City

William Frederick Holske was born in Germany in 1822. He came to America in 1861 and is first listed in the May I, 1861 New York City directory as: brass, h. 364 Ninth.

He continues to be listed in the New York City directories to 1880 as a model mkr., machinist and models at various addresses. The May 1, 1879 directory lists Holske Machine Co., 279 Cherry. The Brooklyn May 1880 directory lists, Holske, William F., model maker, Park Row, New York City, h. 486 Herkimer St.

He died 17 May 1881 at Brooklyn.

There is privately owned at Pasadena, California a Holske Wye Level It is 17" overall, and is engraved W.F. Holske 9 Chambers Str. New York. No New York directory has Mr. Holske listed at this address. Gurley repaired a Holske level, in 1886 that came from Mt. Carroll, Illinois.