CECIL E. HANSON COLLECTION
ANTIQUE SURVEYING INSTRUMENTS

AMERICAN TRANSITS

Queen & Co Maker, Philadelphia, PA - ca 1893 - 1912*

Serial Number: 6195
Telescope Length: 11-1/4"
Diameter of Horizontal Circle: 6-1/2"
Needle Length: 4-3/4"
Diameter of Vertical Arc: 4-1/2"
Height: 13-3/4"
Weight: 16 lb
Box: Yes
Condition: Good (Telescope doesn't focus)
CEH Inventory# T33

*From article below, Queen & Company sold instruments from 1893 to 1912. A number of instruments sold under its name were actually made by Gurley. This instrument is engraved "Queen & Co." so they presumably manufactured it.
 

Excerpted from “Makers of Surveying Instruments of America since 1700” by Charles Smart, 1967, Vol 1, p. 131-2:

JAMES W. QUEEN (1853 - 1860)
JAMES W. QUEEN & CO. (1860 - 1893)
QUEEN & COMPANY, INCORPORATED (1893 - 1912)
QUEEN-GRAY COMPANY (1912 - 1925)

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

James W. Queen was born in Philadelphia in 1815. He is first listed in 1839 Philadelphia directory as an optician at 48 Chestnut Street.

In 1860 he became associated with Samuel L. Fox and the firm became James W. Queen & Co.

Queen & Co. are first listed in the 1861 Philadelphia directory. For a number of years there was a branch office in New York City. Mr. Queen retired in 1870. He died July 12, 1890.

The business was continued as James W. Queen & Co. until 1893, when it was incorporated as Queen & Co., on January 11, 1893.

On August 6, 1894, the company became involved and then made a general assignment to John G. Gray for the benefit of creditors.

On March 13, 1907, an order was received by Gurley from Queen & Co. Inc., C. F. Iszard, Treasurer.

The last order to Gurley from Queen & Co. Inc., W. P. Barrows, Trustee, was dated July 3, 1912.

The first order to Gurley from Queen— Gray Co., Successors to Queen & Co. Inc., was dated March 29, 1913.

It was reorganized as the Queen— Gray Co. by John G. Gray in 1912 and continued as such until Mr. Gray’s death in 1925.

From February 1, 1860 to probably 1900, Gurley made many surveying instruments for Queen & Co.

The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, has an 18” Y Level. It is engraved Queen & Co. Warranted.

The Nebraska State Historical Society, Lincoln, Nebraska has a Surveyor’s Compass, Length 15-5/8" Needle 5-3/4". It is engraved Jas. W. Queen, Philadelphia.

In the Gurley Museum are two surveying instruments. One is a plain compass which is engraved: James W. Queen & Co., Agents Philada & New York W. & L. E. Gurley, Troy, N. Y. It is 15" with a 5" needle. Also, a transit (not made by Gurley). It has a 7" limb 5" needle and 11" telescope. It is engraved Queen & Co. Philadelphia
 
 

Vernier Transit by Queen & Co.

Auction:
2345
Lot:
107
Sold for:
$646
 
Auction:
Clocks, Watches & Scientific Instruments - 2345
Location:
Boston
Date / Time :
July 29, 2006 10:00AM

Description:

Vernier Transit by Queen & Co., Philadelphia, No. 6342, with original anodized finish and lacquered brass fittings, 4 1/2-inch dial with star at North, needle on arm with clamp, declination vernier and silvered needle ring divided 0-90-0 ° twice, plate with verniers and two vials, A-frame with 4 1/2-inch vertical wheel and screw adjustment to 13-inch telescope with graduated vial, on four-screw leveling base, ht. 14 3/4 in., on tripod. 
Estimate $800-1,200

http://www.skinnerinc.com/auctions/2345/lots/107