Beschreibung:

A lacquered and patinated brass transit theodolite Adie and Son, Edinburgh, mid 19th century The circular base with three adjustable feet and threaded plate for mounting on a tripod beneath rotating trunnion table with twin fine silver Vernier scales calibrated to five second divisions and with pivoted viewing lens, the upper superstructure centred with glazed compass incorporating recessed silvered centre annotated N, NW, W, SW, S, SE, E, NE within degree circle, the circumference mounted with spirit level and ‘A’ frame supports for the reversible telescope with screw focus adjustment, cross wire and incorporating vertical circle calibrated in degrees with twin verniers and further spirit level, the compass centre engraved Adie & Son, Princes St., Edinburgh, 33.5cm (13.25ins) high; with a hardwood box 33.5cm (13.25ins) wide. Alexander Adie is recorded in Banfield, Edwin BAROMETER MAKERS AND RETAILERS 1660-1900 as born 1775 and dying in 1858. Adie was the nephew of John Miller one of the leading Scottish makers of Scientific Instruments in the 18th century and was apprenticed to him in 1789. In 1804 they formed the partnership of Miller and Adie which continued until the death of John Miller in 1815. Adie continued the business alone specialising in meteorological instruments obtaining a patent in 1818 for his air barometer or sympiesometer. In recognition of this invention he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1819. He was appointed optician to William IV and later Queen Victoria after forming a partnership with his son, John, in 1835 to form Adie & Son. Father and Son worked together from Princess Street, Edinburgh until 1857 when the business was continued under Richard Adie who relocated the firm to Hanover Street in 1877.