Surveyors Transit
I have an antique surveyors transit, I’m having trouble finding information out on it and I wondered if you could help. It’s from the L. Beckmann Co. of Toledo, OH. I’m not necessarily trying to sell it, but I would like to know its value. I’m useing it decoratively in my house right now and got a comment on it’s possible worth. There is also a name inside the lid, a Robert Sullivan from Bowling Green, OH. I don’t know if you can help me with this sort of thing, but any response at all would be greatly appreciated.
— Thank you kindly, J.L.
Does the surveyor’s transit look like a small telescope? I once had a similar item in my shop and a geologist bought it for his collection of antique tools. With the Bowling Green reference, perhaps your item belonged to a geology student used for field study. (BGSU has a great geology dept.)
How to tell if it is an antique: Is there a patent date near the manufacturer’s mark? Does it have a case and is it made of wood, metal or plastic? The age of the item will help determine its value.
— Thanks for your inquiry, Joyce
