A Cased Rosenberg & Lummert Theodolite, circa 1900
10-1/4 inches (26.0 cm) (base)

PRIVATE WEST COAST COLLECTION

Theodolite. "TH. ROSENBERG Jnh: W. LUMMERT BERLIN 2656". 19 cm telescope, inverted image, stadia hairs, right angle prism with swing-away solar filter. Telescope is reversible in the trunnions. 10 cm dia. vertical circle, divided into 30' increments with vernier to read to 1' with 2 magnifiers. 12 cm dia. horizontal circle, divided into 20' increments with vernier to read to 1' with 2 magnifiers. 6 levels: 3 cm circular in center of horizontal circle, two 6.5 cm orthogonally on the frame, 5 cm on the vertical circle, 8.7 cm on the telescope and a 10 cm striding level with ebony handle. 10 cm dia. striding compass in aluminum housing with silvered dial engraved, "TH. ROSENBERG Jnh: W. LUMMERT BERLIN 2683 N O S W", 0 - 360º in 1º increments, 25º range of adjustment for magnetic declination, needle lifter. Patinated bronze finish. Accessories include: telescope objective lens cap, sun shade, screw driver (ferrule missing), bristle brush with remnant of plastic handle, corked glass bottle of oil, 3.8 cm plumb bob. Tommy bar is probably missing. Fitted wooden box with lock and key. Label in box reads (in part): "Th. Rosenberg, Inh.: W. Lummert Berlin SW 29, Am Tempelhofer Berge Nr. 7 Gegrundet 1885 - Fernsprecher: F 5 BERGMANN 7902". Box, stamped with the serial no., is of more modest construction and is in very nice condition, commensurate with its age. Probably made in the 1920's. Lummert was the retailer of the instrument. The small size could indicate its use in mine surveying, or more likely because of the solar filter, mountain use. From John B. te Pas in Holland, the catalog for the 1900 World Exhibition in Paris describes a Rosenberg theodolite-tachymeter with striding level, horizontal circle read to 20", vertical to 30", with magnifiers and trough compass.

Some rubbing and patination spotting, optics not guaranteed, age-related cracking to ivory-colored mounts, with wear commensurate with age and use.