The center of the silvered dial is signed and dated BENJAMIN , RITTENHOUSE ; FECIT * 1786 *; other elements such as the vanes, casing, and bubble levels are of brass. With the compass are a surveyors' iron chain of fifty 7-1/2 in. rods and a wooden staff with brass mounts to support the compass in the field. A mid-20th century custom pinewood stand made for storing all of the above items is included here.

Compass with vanes 8-1/4 x 14 x 6-3/4 in.; staff 51-1/2 in.; storage box 39-1/2 x 21-1/4 x 13-1/2 in.

Private High Point Collection

Benjamin Rittenhouse of Pennsylvania was a master builder of precision instruments and clocks. His surveying compasses set the standard for excellence. During the 1960s the present compass came to the attention of the Smithsonian Institution via the North Carolina Department of Archives and History. This correspondence was fortunately saved and is included with the compass.

Minor dings to the brass elements as expected; glass intact; functionality unknown, however all elements appear to be present.