Special & Rare E.A. DODGE Patent Inclinometer Level – c. 1835
$8,995.00
Considered the holy grail of inclinometers, an extremely rare and important inclinometer made by Edwin A. Dodge of Saratoga Springs, NY. It is believed the level was patented before the patent office fire of 1836, and is considered the first known inclinometer patented in America. This fully functional 20 inch example remains in excellent original condition retaining original red wash finish, and with its original glass covering the original paper label and indicator scale. Fancy German silver diamonds are the pivot points of the indicator arms. Note that plumb and level are indicated completely independently. See page 151 of Sandor Nagyszalanczy’s excellent book, Tools Rare and Ingenious for another example. The ends are marked, “G. DODGE”, indicating this example was kept for some time in the family of the maker.
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