Info On H S Crocker Co. san francisco & sacramento Surveyor

[lickurstamp]

I have a old surveyor that goes on a tripod. It came in a wood box with a leather strap. It looks to be made of brass it is marked HS Crocker co San Francisco & Sacramento. I don't have the tripod. Its at home but as soon as I can I will provide some pics. Does anyone know anything about these that can provide some info? Thank you

[regularjoe2]

Welcome to the forum , lickurstamp .

Could you post an image of your item ?

I assume you're talking about a transit , or something that looks like one ?

[KC]

It would be great for you to post a pic....

Does it look anything like the pics on this page?  http://www.surveyhistory.org/the_surveyor%27s_basic_tools.htm


Interesting...it notes that HS Crocker & Co SF was around in 1881!!!!!!  http://newberrypicturingamerica.pbworks.com/%22Landscape-and-the-American-West%22-Transcript
Here's their historical site http://www.hscrocker.com/company.html

Seems they did help with surveying but for the purpose of photography/mapping.  Although growing diverse over the years...their main business is printing!

[lickurstamp]

The WYE Level is exactly what I have. It almost looks identical. Thank you for that site. Still don't know what its worth though, can you help me? I have the box that goes with it to but no tripod. I will try and get a pic posted when I get home.

[regularjoe2]

That's a good bingo , KC !

[lickurstamp]

Here is a picture. Hope this helps. Anyone have a clue what I can get for this item? Thank you in advance to all responders.

[talesofthesevenseas]

Very cool... can't help with value, but think of all the history that passed through that lens!!!

[KC]

The company might be interested in purchasing for nostalgia purposes!

[lickurstamp]

Thank you Tales and KC and regular Joe. I have a guy that offered me $200 do you think thats a good sell? I have a thrift store and always come across some really interesting old pieces so hopefully I can get this site down. YOu will be seeing me more.

[KC]

If I was you I wouldn't rush to sell this one...do your homework....I think it is worth much more than $200!!!!!!!!  Note the difference in yours is that yours also has history connected to it...the name of the company who used it.  If you can establish the age of it...you may find valuable works (like that posted earlier 1881) which should increase the value!!!

You might want to send info to this site and say you have this and would they just give you an idea of value for insurance purposes?
http://www.surveyhistory.org/surveyor%27s_historical_society.htm

Take a look at this site and the values!!!!!
http://www.patented-antiques.com/Backpages/survey/american_transits.htm

This site may help you date yours!!!!!!!http://www.surveyhistory.org/how_old_is_my_instrument.htm

Think yours is older than this one!  http://cgi.ebay.ca/VINTAGE-W-L-E-GURLEY-WYE-LEVEL-ORIGINAL-WOOD-BOX_W0QQitemZ200421857137QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2eaa12d771 

http://www.patented-antiques.com/images/WEB-Sale-Cats/Surveying/g-wye/g-wye-box3.jpg

[syl]

In an antique store near where I live there is an English made, I believe, builders level which looks to be a bit older than yours with a price of $895 I think it was. But this is a very high dollar type store. It looked like it was all brass.

[lickurstamp]

Thank you for all the info, I will definitly look into it some more!

[sapphire]

Lickurstamp, have you checked all over the level for other markings?  I'm wondering if the Crocker engraving was done to signify ownership rather than maker?  The links posted by KC give info and further links to known manufacturers...... ...might want to get out that magnifying glass and give it a real good go over.

[D&b antiques]

I would suggest the research be done as quick as possible. since your in it too make money, A  bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. it's all about '' Money''

[D&b antiques]

Is that the box setting on the table ? the red one?