Object number
54/514/1-3
Creator
Description
Spirit level used by wheelwright, Braishfield, Hampshire. Made by John Rabone & Sons, Birmingham , 'Warranted Correct'. In a tin box.
This spirit level was used by a wheelwright in Braishfield, Hampshire. It is made of beech with a brass face. The name of the manufacturers, 'John Rabone + Sons // Makers // Birmingham' is marked, as well as 'Warranted Correct'. The level is kept in a two piece tin box.
Physical description
1 spirit level: wood (beech); brass, tin; good condition
Archival history
MERL 'Catalogue index' card – ‘… // DATE ACQUIRED: // GROUP: // NEGATIVE: // PERIOD: // PLACE OF ORIGIN: // NUMBER: // DESCRIPTION: …‘The spirit level is said to have been invented either by Thevenot in 1666 or by Dr. Hooke in 1680. Early in its history the spirit level was not a carpenter's tool, but was used by land surveyors. The manufacture of a spirit level was a task beyond the ability of a rural carpenter so that generally they were manufactured in factories from the start. It was, therefore, not adopted by carpenters until its manufacture had been simplified and cheapened by factories in the mid-nineteenth centuries. // The level consists of a glass tube partly filled with alcohol, set horizontally in a strip ow [sic] wood. If this piece of wood is laid against the carpenter's work it shows that it is level when the confined bubble rests at the marked place in the middle of the tube. // This spirit level was used by Mr H.J.Bown of Laurel Cottage, Braishfield, it is made of beech with a brass face. The name of the manufacturers 'John Rabone and Sons, Makers Birmingham' and 'Warranted Correct' have been marked on the spirit level. It measures 8 inches long 1.0 inches deep and 1 inch wide. The level is kept in a two piece box of tin.'
Production place
Birmingham
Production date
1954
Object name
Material
Associated subject
