Antique Austrian Starke & Kammerer Theodolite. Vienna, Circa 1900

Antique Starke & Kammerer Austrian theodolite made in Vienna circa 1900, complete and in outstanding condition. The theodolite is in perfect working order and comes in its original wooden storing case which includes two leather straps that turn it into a backpack. This is a real museum piece for its quality manufacture and for its striking working order too. The theodolite is made of black-enameled cast iron with brass screw, lenses and mobile component parts. The enameled finish is finely preserved and looks shiny and even. The fact that this instrument has survived to our days in such good condition turns it into an exceptional item. The theodolites circular base bears a hand-engraved inscription with the manufacturing companys name and the serial number: Starke & Kammerer Wien Nº 11828. The serial is also stamped on the top of the wooden case, and we can see it handwritten on the door and the inner instruction leaflet. The instrument also preserves the glass capsules with the original bubbles and includes different accessories: plumb line, needle and cleaning brush. The brass knobs work perfectly and so do the rest of the mobile component parts. The theodolite can be attached to a wooden stand that makes it possible to immobilize the item while carried. The case is a solid rectangular beech-wooden box with artisanal dovetail joints and the original lock-and-key set in fine working order. Amazingly preserved, this antique Starke & Kammerer Austrian theodolite must be considered a real museum piece.Measurements: Width: 9 in / 22.5 cm. Height: 13.2 in / 33 cm.Starke & Kammerer - HistoryStarke & Kammerer was a company founded in Vienna, Austria in 1866 from the KK Polytechnisches Institut mechanic workshop (which would later become the Vienna Technical University). The workshop was constituted by the mechanic Georg Friedrich von Reichenbach: in 1824, Christoph Starke would join the company too. Essentially, the company manufactured angle-measurement and surveying instruments for the Austrian Land Registry and the KK Geographic Institute. They also produced astronomic devices for the Austrian scientific institutions and for export. In 1854 Gustav Starke, Christophs son, entered the firm; his father would die in 1865. In 1866 Gustav associated with Carl Kammerer and founded Starke & Kammerer. The firm continued working in the same facilities, but in 1873 the business had grown exponentially and they had to move to a new location. The company was active for decades and reached a remarkable success.