Collector

Collectibles -> Science-Medical -> Surveying Equipment

While many people collect cat figurines, dolls, books, sports memorabilia and almost anything you can think of, fewer people collect things like surveying equipment, medical instruments, mining tools and things of that nature. But those who do collect them are enthusiastic about their hobby, and usually quite well-versed on the history of the things they collect.

A piece of antique surveying equipment isn’t just something old and valuable, it’s part of our scientific history. Finding this equipment intact is a real thrill for most collectors, because it represents the ingenuity, creativity and inventiveness of us as a people. Our ability to calculate, think logically and create sets us apart from other living creatures on this planet, and antique scientific equipment of all kinds are representations of our development into the society we are today, and the technological advances yet to come.

An early piece of surveying equipment, one of the earliest in fact, was first mentioned in a writing by Thomas Digges in 1571. The device, called a theodolite, looked like a small tripod-mounted telescope. The surveyor would look through the scope and calculate distance between two points with the help of mirrors and etched glass. This was the hallmark device of surveyors for over 200 years.

Surveying, though, dates back to 1400 BC, when the ancient Egyptians began dividing plots of land to better tax people. It was given new purpose in 120 BC when the Greeks, using their newly developed science of geometry, surveyed for the purpose of dividing land much more precisely than it had been done before. The Greeks were the first to come up with a general set of procedures for surveying land. They also invented the first real piece of surveying equipment, the diopter, which served the same purpose as the theodolite.

With the industrial revolution of the 1800s came the need to find exact boundaries of land plots. Surveying equipment became more intricate and accurate, and the use of geodetic and plane surveying began. Geodetic surveying was the most accurate surveying ever done, as it followed the shape of the land precisely over long distances. While plane surveying, the most common method of surveying used still today, assumed that the distance between two points was a flat plane.

In the 70s, the total station replaced the long-standing theodolite as the surveying equipment of choice. Today’s total stations use lasers to calculate distance, and trigonometry is used instead of geometry to make calculations. Digital levels have replaced bubble levels, and all pieces of vintage surveying equipment have been replaced with new and improved digital, electric and computerized versions. Some surveyors even use GPS systems, though not exclusively.

When shopping for vintage surveying equipment online, there are some stores that do nothing but sell, buy, trade, repair and restore such equipment. These are good resources for history and background, and even for finding that rare piece you’re after. Online auctions are great sources, too, but be sure to search for “vintage” or “antique” surveying equipment to avoid modern equipment listings.

Originally posted 2008-10-15 14:00:12. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Dolls-and-Bears -> Bears -> Boyds

Boyds Bears are the creation of Gary Lowenthal and his wife, Justina Unger. Before they were married, they owned an antique shop together in 1979, and found that they couldn’t afford the types of antiques they wanted to carry. So in 1982 they started making and selling antique reproductions, beginning with their line of duck decoys. They began making miniature reproduction houses out of resin which they called Gnomes Homes. Business was good—they even sold wholesale to other retailers.

Then in 1984, they designed a 12” jointed bear, inspired by a line of Merino wool bears from China, and named it Matthew after their infant son. Boyds Bears were born. In 1993, they began making resign bear statues, as well as other items. Their catalogue of products is large with a variety of different things to choose from. But the soft bears are still one of their most popular items, with collectors clamoring to get them all.

Many of their products, including Boyds Bears, have won doll and toy industry awards, and their line is highly popular with teddy bear collectors. The bears can be found in chain and independent stores like Hallmark and other shops, and through many online stores, as well as eBay. They have a party plan that allows a party hostess to earn free merchandise by hosting a bear party to sell the plush bears, as well as a collector and fan club called the Loyal Order of Friends of Boyds, whose fee entitles you to special members-only versions of some items, as well as other perks.

As with most collector lines like Boyds Bears, the older and retired bears are more valuable and more difficult to find. When a bear is retired that means it’s no longer being manufactured, so the number is limited to how many have already been produced. These are hot items for collectors, so if you’re looking for a retired bear, you might have a lot of searching to do before you’re lucky enough to find it at a price you find acceptable.

Unless you just want every one of the Boyds Bears you can possibly find (and some people do!) then it’s best if you narrow down your idea of what your collection should be about. You can choose between plush bears and resin, or you can have a mixture. Even if you choose one or the other, you’ll want to further plan your collection, because there are so many, with new ones being produced all the time.

You can narrow your collection theme by holiday—there are several both plush and resin designs for every holiday you can think of. Just Christmas bears alone in both plush and resin could have you happily searching for new items for quite some time, but the other holidays are well-represented, too. You can choose ornaments, bears wearing different hats, bears made to represent the seasons, Boyds Bears themed Victorian or country, or almost any other kind of classification you can think of.

Originally posted 2008-12-29 14:00:04. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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