The ‘’Vintage Drafting’’ section contains items from my personal ‘’Vintage Land Surveying’’ collection that are generally related to the creation of final Survey Plans (technical drawings) for the period between the mid 1800’s to roughly the mid 1900’s. In the context of “Land Surveying”, ‘’Drafting” is the process of assembling & analyzing data / measurements collected “in the field” by a land survey crew or field technician / technologist, then using a variety of equipment or technology, together with mathematical calculations to convert that information into a final drawing (Survey Plan) that illustrates the results of the Land Survey.

For the period covered by my collection, drafting was primarily a manual process performed by skilled land survey technicians / technologists commonly referred to as ‘draftsmen’ (in the terminology of the time period). It was normally necessary for a ‘draftsman’ to be highly competent at performing the complex mathematical calculations required for this job, while at the same time possessing the artistic ‘flair’ needed to produce the high quality manual graphics typically represented on the final land survey plans  ……… some of the graphics on plans produced by 1800’s draftsmen, approached the level of “works of art” on their own merits .

Modern computer aided drawing (CAD) had its roots in the 1960’s, at which time it began to gradually displace manual drafting as the main form of survey plan production. From the mid-1800’s until then, the draftsman’s tool kit typically consisted of (among other things): a drafting table of some sort (the first “modern” drafting table was patented c.1905), pencils, ink bottles, freehand drawing pens, a variety of paper & linen drawing sheets, erasers, precision rulers (scales), protractors, set squares, T-squares, parallel rules, ‘French’ curves, compasses, slide rulers & books of mathematical tables (for manual calculations), etc., etc. Near the end of this era, hand-held calculators & mechanical drawing pen sets with lettering templates became common tools in the kit.

…….. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the “Vintage Drafting” items shown below are all from my personal collection (occasional pieces of related ephemera may be added to provide context & when appropriate, I will try to ensure they are suitably accredited). ……. I’ve only recently started populating this web site with vintage surveying items from my collection & the “Vintage Drafting” items listed below are just a start (there’s lots more to be added regularly). Please feel free to email me with any questions or comments related to any of my website’s content (If I have gotten an identification or description incorrect, I always welcome thoughtful corrections).

………… Just “left-click” on any image to expand it for better viewing & then “left-click” on the arrows at the right or left side of the expanded image to scroll (in order) down or up (respectively) through the list of images:

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”Pounce” Drafting Powder – ”K&E” – (c.1913 -c.1936) – 2 mostly full cans – Exceptionally Nice Graphics -1aa

 

”Pounce” Drafting Powder – ”K&E” – (c.1913 -c.1936) – 2 mostly full cans – Exceptionally Nice Graphics -1bb

 

”Pounce” Drafting Powder – ”K&E” – (c.1913 -c.1936) – 2 mostly full cans – Exceptionally Nice Graphics -1cc

 

”Pounce” Drafting Powder – ”K&E” – (c.1913 -c.1936) – 2 mostly full cans – Exceptionally Nice Graphics -1dd

 

”Pounce” Drafting Powder – ”K&E” – (c.1913 -c.1936) – 2 mostly full cans – Exceptionally Nice Graphics -1ee

 

”Pounce” Drafting Powder – ”K&E” – (c.1913 -c.1936) – 2 mostly full cans – Exceptionally Nice Graphics -1ff

 

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Trammel Points Set (brass) – Unknown Maker – c.late1800’s estimated – with fitted burgundy Shagreen Case (lined in blue velvet & silk) -1aa

 

Trammel Points Set (brass) – Unknown Maker – c.late1800’s estimated – with fitted burgundy Shagreen Case (lined in blue velvet & silk) -1bb

 

Trammel Points Set (brass) – Unknown Maker – c.late1800’s estimated – with fitted burgundy Shagreen (lined in blue velvet & silk) -1cc

 

Trammel Points Set (brass) – Unknown Maker – c.late1800’s estimated – with fitted burgundy Shagreen Case (lined in blue velvet & silk) -1dd

 

Trammel Points Set (brass) – Unknown Maker – c.late1800’s estimated – with fitted burgundy Shagreen Case (lined in blue velvet & silk) -1ee

 

Trammel Points Set (brass) – Unknown Maker – c.late1800’s estimated – with fitted burgundy Shagreen Case (lined in blue velvet & silk) -1ff

 

Trammel Points Set (brass) – Unknown Maker  – c.late1800’s estimated – with fitted burgundy Shagreen Case (lined in blue velvet & silk) -1gg

 

Trammel Points Set (brass) – Unknown Maker – c.late1800’s estimated – with fitted burgundy Shagreen Case (lined in blue velvet & silk) -1hh

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Rolling Brass Parallel Rule in Case (EXAMPLE DATED c.1890 per open-source completed auction listing is VERY SIMILAR TO THE PARALLEL RULE LISTED AFTER 1943 EXAMPLE IMMEDIATELY BELOW) -1c

 

Rolling Parallel Rule – from K&E Interim Edition 1943 War Catalog – ”DATED EXAMPLE is SIMILAR to the PARALLEL RULE LISTED IMMEDIATELY BELOW” – 1mmo

 

Rolling Parallel Rule (brass) with Wooden Case – Unknown Maker – c.1890’s-c.1940’s – 10.8 lbs. – rule 2.02’x0.24′ – case 2.1’x0.33’x0.17′ -1aa

 

Rolling Parallel Rule (brass) with Wooden Case – Unknown Maker – c.1890’s-c.1940’s – 10.8 lbs. – rule 2.02’x0.24′ – case 2.1’x0.33’x0.17′ -1cc

 

Rolling Parallel Rule (brass) with Wooden Case – Unknown Maker – c.1890’s-c.1940’s – 10.8 lbs. – rule 2.02’x0.24′ – case 2.1’x0.33’x0.17′ -1dd

 

Rolling Parallel Rule (brass) with Wooden Case – Unknown Maker – c.1890’s-c.1940’s – 10.8 lbs. – rule 2.02’x0.24′ – case 2.1’x0.33’x0.17′ -1ee

 

Rolling Parallel Rule (brass) with Wooden Case – Unknown Maker – c.1890’s-c.1940’s – 10.8 lbs. – rule 2.02’x0.24′ – case 2.1’x0.33’x0.17′ -1ff

 

Rolling Parallel Rule (brass) with Wooden Case – Unknown Maker (lettering unidentified) – c.1890’s-c.1940’s – 10.8 lbs. – rule 2.02’x0.24′ – case 2.1’x0.33’x0.17′ -1gg

 

Rolling Parallel Rule (brass) with Wooden Case – Unknown Maker – c.1890’s-c.1940’s – 10.8 lbs – rule 2.02’x0.24′ – case 2.1’x0.33’x0.17′ -1hh

 

Rolling Parallel Rule (brass) with Wooden Case – Unknown Maker – c.1890’s-c.1940’s – 10.8 lbs. – rule 2.02’x0.24′ – case 2.1’x0.33’x0.17′ -1ii

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Set Square (30×60 degree) – ”E.R. Watts & Son” (c.1886-1919) – appears to be very high quality ‘Ebony Framed Mahogany’ in ”EX ” condition – impressed with maker’s details -1aa

 

Set Square (30×60 degree) – ”E.R. Watts & Son” (c.1886-1919) – appears to be very high quality ‘Ebony Framed Mahogany’ in ”EX ” condition – impressed with maker’s details -1bb

 

Set Square (30×60 degree) – ”E.R. Watts & Son” (c.1886-1919) – appears to be very high quality ‘Ebony Framed Mahogany’ in ”EX ” condition – impressed with maker’s details -1cc

 

Set Square (30×60 degree) – ”E.R. Watts & Son” (c.1886-1919) – appears to be very high quality ‘Ebony Framed Mahogany’ in ‘‘EX ” condition – impressed with maker’s details -1dd

 

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Dietzgen 1907 – 1908 Catalog – pg.174 listings for ‘‘Flat Opposite Bevel White Edge Scales” #1562 & #1567

 

Dietzgen 1931 Catalog – pg.184 listings for ”Flat Opposite Bevel White Edge Scales” #1562 & #1567

 

Dietzgen – Flat Opposite Bevel White Edge Scale #1562 – 12” (Architect’s Style, boxwood with ivory inlay, c.1905-c.1935) + Carboard Case – (front) -1aa

 

Dietzgen – Flat Opposite Bevel White Edge Scale #1562 – 12” (Architect’s Style, boxwood with ivory inlay, c.1905-c.1935) + Carboard Case (front) -1dd

 

Dietzgen – Flat Opposite Bevel White Edge Scale #1562 – 12” (Architect’s Style, boxwood with ivory inlay, c.1905-c.1935) + Carboard Case (front detail) -1ee

 

Dietzgen – Flat Opposite Bevel White Edge Scale #1562 – 12” (Architect’s Style, boxwood with ivory inlay, c.1905-c.1935) + Carboard Case – (back) -1bb

 

Dietzgen – Flat Opposite Bevel White Edge Scale #1562 – 12” (Architect’s Style, boxwood with ivory inlay, c.1905-c.1935) + Carboard Case (back) -1ff

 

Dietzgen – Flat Opposite Bevel White Edge Scale #1562 – 12” (Architect’s Style, boxwood with ivory inlay, c.1905-c.1935) + Carboard Case (back detail) -1fff

 

Dietzgen – Flat Opposite Bevel White Edge Scale #1562 – 12” (Architect’s Style, boxwood with ivory inlay, c.1905-c.1935) + Carboard Case (view showing bevelled end) -1cc

#1562 scale above

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#1567 scale below

 

Dietzgen – Flat Opposite Bevel White Edge Scale #1567 – 12” (Architect’s Style, boxwood with ivory inlay, c.1905-c.1935) + Carboard Case – (front) -1aa

 

Dietzgen – Flat Opposite Bevel White Edge Scale #1567 – 12” (Architect’s Style, boxwood with ivory inlay, c.1905-c.1935) + Carboard Case – (front) -1dd

 

Dietzgen – Flat Opposite Bevel White Edge Scale #1567 – 12” (Architect’s Style, boxwood with ivory inlay, c.1905-c.1935) + Carboard Case – (front detail) -1ee

 

Dietzgen – Flat Opposite Bevel White Edge Scale #1567 – 12” (Architect’s Style, boxwood with ivory inlay, c.1905-c.1935) + Carboard Case – (back) -1bb

 

Dietzgen – Flat Opposite Bevel White Edge Scale #1567 – 12” (Architect’s Style, boxwood with ivory inlay, c.1905-c.1935) + Carboard Case – (back) -1ff

 

Dietzgen – Flat Opposite Bevel White Edge Scale #1567 – 12” (Architect’s Style, boxwood with ivory inlay, c.1905-c.1935) + Carboard Case – (back detail) -1fff

 

Dietzgen – Flat Opposite Bevel White Edge Scale #1567 – 12” (Architect’s Style, boxwood with ivory inlay, c.1905-c.1935) + Carboard Case – (view showing bevelled end) -1cc

 

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Ink Bottle Holder /Paperweight + Ink Bottle (K&E Model # 2707) as shown on above pgs. 273 & 266 of K&E’s 1906 & 1909 (respectively) Catalogs -1aa

 

Ink Bottle Holder/Paperweight + Ink Bottle – c.1909 matched set – Black Enameled Iron – about 2lbs. nominal (K&E Model # 2707 per pg. 266 of K&E’s 1909 Catalog) -1a

 

Ink Bottle Holder/Paperweight + Ink Bottle – c.1909 matched set – Black Enameled Iron – about 2lbs. nominal (K&E Model # 2707 per pg. 266 of K&E’s 1909 Catalog) -1b

 

Ink Bottle Holder /Paperweight + Ink Bottle – c.1909 matched set – Black Enameled Iron – about 2lbs. nominal (K&E Model # 2707 per pg. 266 of K&E’s 1909 Catalog) -1c

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Bruning – ”Circular Slide Rule (aka ‘Gilson Binary’)” 21.1cm dia. (copy of listing from on-line ”Slide Rule Museum”)

 

 

Bruning – ”Circular Slide Rule (aka ‘Gilson Binary’)” – 8.31” dia. (c.1940-c.1960) c/w Original Fabrikoid Case & Instruction Booklet – TOUGH COMBO to FIND -1aa

 

Bruning – ”Circular Slide Rule (aka ‘Gilson Binary’)” – 8.31” dia. (c.1940-c.1960) c/w Original Fabrikoid Case & Instruction Booklet – TOUGH COMBO to FIND -1bb (front)

 

Bruning – ”Circular Slide Rule (aka ‘Gilson Binary’)” – 8.31” dia. (c.1940-c.1960) c/w Original Fabrikoid Case & Instruction Booklet – TOUGH COMBO to FIND -1cc (front)

 

Bruning – ”Circular Slide Rule (aka ‘Gilson Binary’)” – 8.31” dia. (c.1940-c.1960) c/w Original Fabrikoid Case & Instruction Booklet – TOUGH COMBO to FIND -1dd (back)

 

Bruning – ”Circular Slide Rule (aka ‘Gilson Binary’)” – 8.31” dia. (c.1940-c.1960) c/w Original Fabrikoid Case & Instruction Booklet – TOUGH COMBO to FIND -1ee (back)

 

Bruning – ”CIRCULAR SLIDE RULE (aka ‘Gilson Binary’)” 8.31” dia. (c.1940-c.1960) -1ff (Original Instruction Booklet, front & back covers)

 

Bruning – ”CIRCULAR SLIDE RULE (aka ‘Gilson Binary’)” 8.31” dia. (c.1940-c.1960) -1gg (Original Instruction Booklet, pgs. 1 & 2)

 

Bruning – ”CIRCULAR SLIDE RULE (aka ‘Gilson Binary’)” 8.31” dia. (c.1940-c.1960) -1mm (Original Instruction Booklet, pg. 13)

 

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Survey Calculations Reference Texts for the 1950’s-1960’s Survey Draftsman and/or Party Chief (”Trig Tables”, ”Curves”, ”Highway Curves”, ”Route Location & Design” -1aa