Mid 19th Century Surveyor’s Vernier Compass By Gennert & Holzke
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:144373 | Maker: Gennert & Holzke |
SCI-1Mid 19thCentury Surveyor’s Vernier Compass by Gennert & Holzke.The compass, 15 ½” long, has a nicely silveredand engraved face in excellent condition. The compass needle works freely asdoes the vernier tangent screw. The original finish is free from oxidation andretains its coat of lacquer. The sight vanes are 7 5/8” tall. The compass has abrass protective dial cover that has done its job and has some minor dings init. The compass comes in a 16 ½” long fitted, doveta...iled Cherry case.This brass Surveyor’s Vernier Compass is quiterare. It was made by Gennert & Holzke (Holske?) of New York, probably in Troy.Smart’s “The Makers of Surveying Instruments in Americasince 1700” has no listing for the pair. However, David Garcelon, researcher, instrumentexpert, collector and dealer extraordinaire has given me permission to use someof the research information that he has uncovered regarding Gennert &Holzke.David has concluded that the Gennert in “Gennert& Holzke” was Ernest Theodore Gennert (1824-18?), one of four Gennertbrothers. He immigrated to the United States, arriving in New York City on the steamship “Mile”on May 30, 1849. The passenger manifest lists him as a“Mechanician” which also meant instrument maker. William Frederick Holske (1823-1981) was born inHanover, Germanyand immigrated to Americain 1840. In 1853 there were severaladvertisements in New York Cityfor the firm of “Gennert & Holzke”, which was the partnership of ErnstTheodore Gennert and William F. Holske. One reads “Mathematical, Nautical andPhilosophical Instrument Maker” at 10 N. Water Street.A second ad reads “Opticians” at 9 Chamber Street and a third one reads“Manufacturers of Scientific Instruments” at 9 Chamber Street. Mr. Garcelon has beenable to document three surveying instruments made by Gennert & Holzke; allare signed “Gennert & Holzke, New York”. None of thesignatures include a street address, serial number or date. Two are wye levelsand one is a Vernier compass, now up for sale.Mr. Garcelon provided me with 10 pages ofresearch data for Gennert & Holzke. It appears that Holzke went on to makemore instruments on his own without Gennert. I heard a rumor to the effect that Mr. Garcelonwas doing much research in preparation of writing a much more comprehensivecataloging of American instrument makers than currently exists with “Smart”. I knowthat Mr. Garcelon has several hundred makers in his files that are notmentioned in Smarts. If you are having problems with an instrument or itsmaker, give David a call. He is a walking encyclopedia on the subject. I forone look forward to any book(s) he may publish.
