W. & L.E. Gurley Great Level in perfect working order. USA, XIX CENTURY. Original Case

This amazing bubble level is a surveying instrument, made by the prestigious North American brand W. & L.E.Gurley in the late 19th century (1880-90). It is an impressive device, big in size and in excellent condition and working order. The level preserves all its original pieces and component parts: lenses, bubbles and screws, so it can be used just like new. It comes in its original case, made of solid mahogany wood and also very well preserved. In the center of the piece that supports the level and attaches it to the mobile foot we can see the following inscription: D. NORRIS W. & L.E.GURLEY, TROY N.Y. engraved in the metal. This inscription and the one we can see in the printed label inside the case tell us that the instrument was manufactured by the American brand of the same name. The firm was founded by William and Lewis Ephraim Gurley in 1845 to manufacture precision measuring instruments, and was a true a leader in its field. In 1862 the company was established in a big building located in Troy, New York, currently known as the Gurley Building. This building is a great historic sample of industrial architecture of the 19th century. Nowadays Gurley is still active under the name of Gurley Precision Instruments. The level is composed of multiple metal pieces, lenses and bubbles that have undergone successfully the trace of time. The telescope can be detached in order to be used separately from the mobile foot. The solid mahogany case where the level can be stored is made with nice dovetail joints, strong and full of artisanal beauty. The case comes with the original key and contains two printed paper sheets: a label with the manufacturers name and the instruments serial number (7376) and a leaflet with instructions for shipping. The impressive presence of this great level and its perfect working order turn it into a piece worthy of a museum of technical antiques. Measurements: Width: 17.3 in/44 cm. Height: 7.8 in/20 cm.