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Theodolite used for the Principal Triangulation of Great Britain

1791

Square signed "J.Ramsden, 1757"

1757

Hydrostatic balance by Jesse Ramsden, London, 1785-1789

1785-1789

100 Link Steel Surveying Chain, 1784.

1784

silver-plated single-draw brass prospect glass with painted decorations showing classical figures

Manuscript instructions and receipt for Ramsden solar microscope, 1793

1793

Pocket brass framed sextant

1785-1795

Brass framed sextant.

1790-1800

Galilean refracting telescope on folding tripod

1785-1795

Set of drawing instruments

1762-1800

Spyglass hand telescope with brass body and braided string grip on tube

1762-1800

Brass spyglass with shagreen cover and two eyepiece powers

1700-1799

Brass spyglass decorated with shagreen and with an achromatic lens

1762-1800

Sextant by Jesse Ramsden with case

1770-1775

Metal clamp from the 3-foot geodetic theodolite

1791

Metal component from the 7-inch altazimuth theodolite

1751-1800

'day and night' refracting telescope

1795-1800

Six inch silver sector, late 18th century.

late 18th century

Gregorian reflecting telescope

1785-1795

Parts for a lucernal microscope with body tube signed "Ramsden"

1775-1800

Cassegrain reflecting telescope, 1762-1774

1762-1774

Telescope by Ramsden

Mahogany keystone box

1785-1795

Metal clamp from the 3-foot geodetic theodolite

1791

Eight brass screws from the 3-foot geodetic theodolite

1791

Screw and nut associated with the 3-foot geodetic theodolite

1791
Architect's rule by Ramsden, c. 1775

Architect's rule by Ramsden

1772-1778
Ramsden's mother-of-pearl dynameter, as made by Troughton & Simms, about 1850

Ramsden's mother-of-pearl dynameter

1850
18 inch geodetic theodolite by Ramsden, late 18th century

Geodetic theodolite, 1751-1800.

1751-1800
Adjustment handle, lamp hood and lens cover. Part of the three-foot geodetic theodolite, sometimes called the ‘great Theodolite’, used for the Principal Triangulation of Great Britain. Made by Jesse Ramsden, Piccadilly, London, 1791.

Adjustment handle, lamp hood and lens cover from the 3-foot geodetic theodolite

1791
Refracting telescope of 4.1-inch aperture on an English type equatorial mounting commissioned by Sir George Shuckburgh from Jesse Ramsden in 1781, though not completed until 1791. First installed at Shuckburgh's home at Shuckburgh Warwickshire, it was later given to the Royal Observatory, Greenwich in 1811 by Charles Jenkinson Shuckburgh's heir. The hour circle was re-divided by Troughton & Simms in 1860 but the stand proved too flimsy and was little used at Greenwich in later years.

Refracting telescope on equatorial mounting

1781-1791
Incomplete orrery without case or planets by Jesse Ramsden, London, late 18th century.

Incomplete orrery planetary model by Jesse Ramsden, 1762-1800

1762-1800
Telescope (achromatic) with double image eye piece, micrometer of the Ramsden form, said to have been the property of Lord Nelson. F.l. 43". Made by J. & W. Watkins, London

Telescope (achromatic) with double image eye piece

1785-1795
Ramsden's patent (No.1112, 1775, Dec.30) Astronomical Equatorial Instrument with glazed Sheraton case, c.1775. Refracting telescope, 2-1/4 inch aperture and 18-inch focal length (probably by Peter Dollond), on an adjustable equatorial mounting with tripod stand. The stand is equipped with 3 spirit levels, 3 levelling screws and 2 scales read by verniers. Accessories include 5 eyepieces, two diagonal mirrors, glass prism, two dark filter caps and a filar micrometer with reflector to illuminate the cross hairs.

Ramsden's patent (No.1112, 1775, Dec.30) Astronomical Equatorial Instrument, with equatorial mounting, accessories, tripod and case

1770-1780
Dynameter micrometer, Ramsden type, with mother-of-pearl line scales and eyepiece fitted with sliding cover, unsigned, English, 1785-1790.

Ramsden type dynameter micrometer

1785-1795
20 foot standard by Ramsden, 1784

20 foot standard by Ramsden, 1784

1784
7-inch altazimuth theodolite, by Jesse Ramsden, England, 1751-1800

7 inch altazimuth theodolite

1751-1800
Key from refracting telescope by John Miller of Edinburgh, brass and ivory.

Ivory Key from Refracting Telescope

1769
Ramsden electrical machine

Ramsden electrical machine

1800-1899
Brass eyepiece, Ramsden type, with sectioned draw-tube barrel, by Wiliam Ladd, London, 1870-1872.

Sectioned Ramsden type eyepiece

1870-1872
Ten-inch brass circular protractor by Ramsden in mahogany case, 10 1/4" x 10 1/4" x 1", divided to 1/2 degrees, reading by vernier to one minute, engraved "Ramsden, London", and "R.S.61 ", paper label on lid, "Royal Society 61"

Ten-inch brass circular protractor by Ramsden in mahogany case

1762-1800
7-inch altazimuth theodolite with metal component, by Jesse Ramsden, England, 1751-1800

7-inch altazimuth theodolite with metal component

1751-1800
Various accessories and components, including eyepieces and an object glass, for refracting telescope of 4.1-inch aperture on an English type equatorial mounting commissioned by Sir George Shuckburgh from Jesse Ramsden in 1781, though not completed until 1791

Accessories and components for refracting telescope on equatorial mounting

1781-1791
2 levels. Part of the three-foot geodetic theodolite, sometimes called the ‘great Theodolite’, used for the Principal Triangulation of Great Britain. Made by Jesse Ramsden, Piccadilly, London, 1791.

2 levels from the 3-foot geodetic theodolite

1791
Pocket brass framed sextant, with mahogany keystone box, made by Jesse Ramsden, Piccadilly, London, England, 1785-1795. Polished brass frame and limb, no handle. Signed on the crossbar: ‘Ramsden London’. Brass scale from -2° to 145° every 30', measuring to 125° (digits read from the pivot). Brass vernier to 1', zero at the left. The tangent screw is on the front of the index arm; the clamping screw is on the back. Two shades (both red); no horizon shades. Index-glass adjustment by screw; adjustment of the horizon glass by fixed milled screw and by Dollond's extended lever and clamp, operated from beneath the telescope bracket. Detached telescope bracket, to be fit to the frame by a dovetail mount; perpendicular adjustment by rising-piece and a milled screw. Detached magnifier on a 35-mm swivelling arm. Telescope (62 mm) erect image. Shaded eyepiece (red).

Pocket brass framed sextant

1785-1795
Refracting telescope of 2 inch aperture and 30 inch focal length, engraved, 'Ramsden London' on an equatorial stand by John Miller, Edinburgh with wooden case. A label in the transit box states that the telescope was made by Peter Dollond for Jesse Ramsden. The telescope may have been used by Dr Lind F.R.S. to observe the 1769 Transit of Venus.

Refracting telescope on stand by Ramsden, Dollond and Miller, 1769

1769
Prospect glass, by Ramsden, in case

Prospect glass, by Ramsden, in case

2 horizontal circle covers. Part of the three-foot geodetic theodolite, sometimes called the ‘great Theodolite’, used for the Principal Triangulation of Great Britain. Made by Jesse Ramsden, Piccadilly, London, 1791.

2 horizontal circle covers from the 3-foot geodetic theodolite

1791
Components from the three-foot geodetic theodolite, sometimes called the ‘great Theodolite’, used for the Principal Triangulation of Great Britain. Made by Jesse Ramsden, Piccadilly, London, 1791. Components consist of: 3 lamp microscope housings; 2 oil lamps with condensing lens; small oil lamp (without case); oil lamp brackets plus 2 lamp covers; clamp and sector clamp; telescope dust cap with apertures; 2 curved double bracket pieces; 1 single bracket piece; flange disc; 7 eyepieces; 1 filter; 1 right-angled eyepiece; dust cap; brush; 4 microscope illuminating mirrors and an assortment of bolts and fittings.

Components from the 3-foot geodetic theodolite

1791
Key from refracting telescope by John Miller of Edinburgh, brass and ivory.

Ivory Key from Refracting Telescope

1769