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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There are all kinds of different collectibles out there, including rare collectibles and more common collectibles for example. If you are interested in collecting rare collectibles, then knowing how to identify them, find them, price them, display them and sell them are all very important considerations to make. Here is a basic guide to collecting rare collectibles and the least that you need to know when it comes to getting the most that you can out of this collecting hobby and the rare collectibles and antiques that you buy and sell.

Rare collectibles are items that are difficult to find, and as a result are generally worth more on the behalf of their desirability as well as their rarity. Any item that has a particular quality behind its craftsmanship, is relatively old in nature and also sports features reflecting the past are all considered to be rare collectibles by a wide variety of today’s collectors.

One common denominator of all of these items is that they are considered to be rare collectibles despite their age or what they are. Many rare collectibles have become so old that they are perceived to be antiques as well as rare collectibles. It is also possible for rare collectibles to be more recent in origin, such as when it comes to collectible toils, sports memorabilia and so on and so forth. Due to the appeal and the scarcity of rare collectibles, these collectibles, despite not being antiques, are still quite valuable. No matter what their value is, rare collectibles can be vitally essential to certain collections and certain collectors.

There is no real definitive definition that goes with the concept of rare collectibles, meaning that a rare collectible to one person may not be a rare collectible to another person. The concept of collectibles has two different definitions depending on if you are looking to make money on your collection or just to collect for personal value. Understanding how the concept of rare collectibles works really makes a difference depending on how you intend to collect items that are rare. The item must not only be rare, but to someone it must be considered to be collectible or otherwise worth collecting as well.

There is no one single place where these rare collectibles come from, nor is there a single time frame where they hail from. There is no one single category of rare collectibles, because rare collectibles can be found in all types of collections, including stamp collections, antique collections, memorabilia collections and so much more. Rare collectibles may be rare ornate vases from a Chinese dynasty long past, or an autographed football from a deceased star. Rare collectibles encompass tiny limited edition stamps and rare minted but unreleased coins. Rare collectibles are really all about what you make them, and what you make out of them, so let your rare collectibles and rare collection be anything that you want for it to be.

Photo Credits: JOE WU

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