Foster level

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Photograph of John McLatchie
Illustration of an "Engineer's level"
Diagram of Leveling Applications

Dublin Core

Title

Foster level

Subject

Canadian surveying instruments

Description

This is a surveying level produced by James Foster, an instrument maker based in Toronto, Canada. The apparatus also includes a wooden tripod, upon which the level was placed when taking measurements. This artifact was in the possession of John McLatchie, a well-established professional land surveyor in nineteenth-century Canada, and was passed down through his family descendants to a relative residing in Ottawa, Canada.

Physically, this level appears to be made almost entirely of brass, which has been painted either to a dark brown or gold color. The object also includes a telescope and a 'bubble tube,' both of which were integral to the surveying process.

The level's connection with McLatchie suggests possible implications for its past use in notable surveys across Canada (i.e.: Ottawa valley, Manitoba, British Columbia, etc.)

Creator

James Foster

Source

John McLatchie Collection (780715-780753), Canadian Science and Technology Museum.

Date

Unknown (likely produced between 1870 and 1910)

[source: Randall C. Brooks and William J. Daniels, “Surveying Instrument Makers of Central Canada” ]
August 8th, 1978: Acquired by Canadian Science and Technology Museum

Contributor

Mrs. N.F. Kettles (1978)

Format

Physical artifact; photographic representation

Type

Museum Artifact