Art of The Print Logo for www.artoftheprint.com
www.artoftheprint.com
Art of the Print
Home Artist Index Gallery Catalogue About Us Our Policy Contact Us Site Map Search

Buff & Buff Instrument Shops, Boston

Buff and Buff Instrument Shops Boston - Precision Theodolites Transit

Precision Theodolites (Transit)

Buff & Buff Instrument Shop's original color lithograph entitled, Precision Theodolites, was created to advertise one of America's finest nineteenth century inventions, the American Transiting Theodolite. More commonly called the Transit, it was first built by George Louis Buff (1837-1923) shortly after the end of the Civil War. Theodolites had been in use in Europe for many years but George Buff significantly improved the accuracy of the instrument by adding a transiting telescope, a central compass, double horizontal verniers and a vertical vernier. The end result was the creation of the world's most precise surveying and engineering instrument which remained unchallenged until the advent of digital technology in the 1970's.
 
Title: Precision Theodolites (Transit)
Publisher: Buff & Buff Instrument Shops, Boston
Date: c. 1898 - 1910
Medium: Original Color Lithograph
Note: The Buff & Buff Manufacturing Company: George Louis Buff (1837-1923) was born and raised in Giessen, Germany. He immigrated to New York in 1864 and invented the transiting theodolite two years later. His business partner was Christian Louis Berger and in 1871 they opened their manufacturing company in Boston. The partnership of Buff and Berger was very successful in producing transits and other instruments and remained intact until 1898. At this time the partnership was dissolved and the newly created firms of C. L. Berger & Sons Manufacturing Company and Buff & Buff Manufacturing Company went into direct competition with one another. Buff's factory was located in the Boston suburb of Jamaica Plain. The company remained in business until 1982.
  An original lithograph printed in six colors, Precision Theodolites was created to advertise one of America's finest nineteenth century inventions, the American Transiting Theodolite. More commonly called the Transit. Theodolites had been in use in Europe for many years but George Buff significantly improved the accuracy of the instrument by adding a transiting telescope, a central compass, double horizontal verniers and a vertical vernier. The end result was the creation of the world's most precise surveying and engineering instrument which remained unchallenged until the advent of digital technology in the 1970's. This original lithographic poster probably dates from the first decade of the twentieth century. It wonderfully renders both the complexity and beauty of this important surveying instrument. The Davistown Museum in Maine includes both an impression of Precision Theodolites and a Buff & Buff transit in its permanent collection.
 

The Buff and Berger transit is the subject of Milton Estabrook's article, "The Transit, an American Instrument". He writes,

"It is difficult to overstate the importance of the transit to the development of the United States. All of the large engineering projects were laid out and levelled and in fact the lands the creations were built on were surveyed with these instruments. Bridges, tunnels, skyscrapers, runways and even the building the space shuttle was built in was laid out with the use of a transit. Seldom in history has a single device had such an enormous impact on a nation. These instruments exemplify the zenith of the instrument maker's profession and are an art form in and of themselves. They required mastery of a number of disciplines such as: metallurgy, physics, optics, mathematics and extreme precision in machining metals." *

Quotation: Milton Estabrook, "The Transit: An American Instrument", www.davistownmuseum.org/bioBuff.html
  UnMatted
Size: 19 1/2 X 12 (Sizes in inches are approximate, height preceding width of plate-mark or image.)
Buy Now Price: $225.00 US
Condition: Printed on thick wove paper and with full margins as published in Boston by Buff & Buff Instrument Shops around the above date. Bearing the title and publisher's address along the lower margin. A small repaired tear (bottom margin) not intruding into the imagae, else a finely printed impression with full, unfaded colors and in excellent condition throughout. Precision Theodolites represents a striking and important original example of American instrument history.
Subject: George Louis Buff (1837-1923), original color Lithograph, Precision Theodolite (Transit), Christian Louis Berger, Buff & Buff Manufacturing Company, the American Transiting Theodolite, American instrument history, Buff & Buff Instrument Shops, surveying and engineering instruments.
Important Information:

The artist biographies, research and or information pertaining to all the original works of art posted on our pages has been written and designed by Greg & Connie Peters exclusively for our site, (www.artoftheprint.com). Please visit us regularly to view the latest artworks offered for sale. We will soon be posting an update of our most recent research and include the biographical and historical information pertaining to our next collection of original works of art created by artists throughout the centuries. We hope you found the information you were looking for and that it has been beneficial.

Our Gallery, (Art of the Print / www.artoftheprint.com) guarantees the authenticity of every work of art we sell 100%. Full documentation and certification is provided. We offer a wide selection of international fine art dating from the early Renaissance to the contemporary art period.

Original Color Lithograph by Buff & Buff Instrument Shops, Boston.

Precision Theodolites Transit Original Lithograph by The Buff and Buff Manufacturing Company
Precision Theodolites (Transit)

View Other Original Advertising Art.

Advertising Art
Image Last Name Title & Printer & Advertiser Medium Date Notes -
Gallerie Documents By Will Barnet Barnet Gallerie Documents By Will Barnet Original Silk-Screen Poster 1980 Exhibition Poster for Barnet's graphic art at the Galerie Documents, Paris Sold
Precision Theodolites Transit by Buff and Buff Manufacturing Company Boston Buff Precision Theodolites (Transit) by Buff & Buff Manufacturing Company, Boston Original Lithographic Poster c. 1898 - 1910 Lithographic Advertising Poster for Buff & Buff Manufacturing Co., Boston  
  Courier Captain Webb's Seal & Sea Lion Band by the Courier Company Original Lithographic Poster Printed in Colour with Letterpress 1895 Advertising for Circus Poster. Published by The Courier Company Sold
  Edwards The Century "April" by George Wharton Edwards Original Lithographic Poster with Letterpress April, 1895 From the Collection of Ned Arden Flood: Century Magazine Lithographic Poster. Sold
  Edwards The Century "May" by George Wharton Edwards Original Lithographic Poster with Letterpress May, 1895 From the Collection of Ned Arden Flood: Century Magazine Lithographic Poster. Sold
The Century Magazine For March by George Wharton Edwards Edwards The Century February Midwinter Number by George Wharton Edwards Original Lithographic Poster with Letterpress February, 1895 From the Collection of Ned Arden Flood: Century Magazine Lithographic Poster.  
The Century Magazine February Midwinter Number by George Wharton Edwards Edwards The Century For March by George Wharton Edwards Original Lithographic Poster with Letterpress March, 1895 From the Collection of Ned Arden Flood: Century Magazine Lithographic Poster.  
The Reds of the Midi An Episode of the French Revolution by Monogram FAMS AEB FAMS The Reds of the Midi: An Episode of the French Revolution by Monogram: FAMS - AEB Original Lithographic Poster Printed in Colour with Letterpress 1896 From the Collection of Ned Arden Flood: Lithographic Poster For the book, The Reds of the Midi.  
The Century Magazine Napoleon In Egypt by Eugene Grasset Grasset Napoleon in Egypt by Eugene-Samuel Grasset, 'Eugene Grasset' Original Lithographic Poster with Letterpress 1895 From the Collection of Ned Arden Flood: Century Magazine Lithographic Poster. Sold
Living Posters by Frank Hazenplug Hazenplug Living Posters by Frank Hazenplug Original Colour Lithograph 1897 Published for 'Les Maitres de l'Affiche, Paris', Imprimerie Chaix, Paris Sold
Edmund Sagot Estampes and Affiches Illustrees by Paul Cesar Hellue Paul Hellue Hellue Edmund Sagot: Estampes & Affiches Illustrees by Paul Cesar Hellue, 'Paul Hellue' Original Lithographic Poster with Letterpress 1899 Published by Edmund Sagot, Paris, and printed by Chaix, Rue Bergere No. 20, Paris Sold
Affection Original Lithograph 19th Century American Advertising by A. Hoen and Company Hoen Affection: Original 19th Century American Advertising art by A. Hoen & Company Original Lithograph Printed in Color c. 1880 Lithographic Advertising Label  
Harlequin Original Lithograph 19th Century American Advertising by A. Hoen and Company Hoen Harlequin: Original 19th Century American Advertising art by A. Hoen & Company Original Lithograph Printed in Color c. 1870 Lithographic Advertising Label Sold
Josephine Original Lithograph by A. Hoen and Company Advertising for M. and C., New York Hoen Josephine (Advertiser: M. & C., New York) by A. Hoen & Company Original Lithograph Printed in Color c. 1890 Lithographic Advertising Label  
Juno Original Lithograph by A. Hoen and Company Advertising for T. C. Williams Company Virginia Hoen Juno (Advertiser: T. C. Williams Company, Richmond, U.S.A.) by A. Hoen & Company Original Lithograph Printed in Color c. 1870 Lithographic Advertising Label  
Oneida Original Lithograph by A. Hoen and Company Advertising for Joseph D. Evans and Company Hoen Oneida (Advertiser: Joseph D. Evans & Company) by A. Hoen & Company Original Lithograph Printed in Color c. 1890 Lithographic Advertising Label  
The Imperial Ruby Original Lithograph by A. Hoen and Company Advertising for T. C. Williams, Richmond, Virginia Hoen The Imperial Ruby - Birds Eye (Advertiser: T. C. Williams, Richmond, Virginia U.S.A.) by A. Hoen & Company Original Lithograph Printed in Color c. 1890 Lithographic Advertising Label  
Winner Plug Tobacco Original Lithograph by A. Hoen and Company Advertising for the British American Tobacco Company, Petersburg, Virginia Hoen Winner Plug Tobacco (Advertiser: British-American Tobacco Company, Petersburg, Virginia) by A. Hoen & Company Original Lithograph Printed in Color c. 1890 Lithographic Advertising Label  
Black Russian Cigarettes by Violeta Janes Janes Black Russian Cigarettes by Violeta Janes Original Oil Watercolour c. 1935 Advertising Art Sold
Hints for Holidays, 1938 by Violeta Janes Janes Hints for Holidays, 1938 by Violeta Janes Original Pastel 1938 Travel Advertising Art Sold
A Medical Wonder by Joseph Philip Kneisel Kneisel A Medical Wonder by Joseph Philip Kneisel Original Watercolor and Gouache Drawing June, 15 1940 Advertising Art for King Features Syndicate Sold
A Book of Progressive Prints Being a Lithographic Reproduction in Nine Printings of a Painting by Joseph Christian Leyendecker Lithographed by A. J. Jonas of the Staff of Latham Litho and Printing Company Leyendecker A Book of Progressive Prints: Being a Lithographic Reproduction in Nine Printings of a Painting by J. C. Leyendecker, Lithographed by A. J. Jonas of the Staff of Latham Litho & Printing Company by Leyendecker, Joseph Christian 'J. C. Leyendecker A Complete Set of 18 Original Lithographs From the Initial Separation Proof to the Final, Full Color Poster. April-May, 1918 Latham Litho & Printing Co., Brooklyn, New York., Lithographer: A. J. Jonas  
Maclin Zimmer McGill Tobacco Company by Maclin Zimmer McGill Petersburg Virgina Maclin Maclin-Zimmer-McGill Tobacco Company by Maclin-Zimmer-McGill, Petersburg, Virgina Original Lithograph Printed in Colour c. 1870 Lithographic Advertising Label Sold
Mme. Mantelli Late Prima Donna of the Metropolitan Opera House New York Direction of J. Saunders Gordon  1905 1906 American Tour for Mme. Eugenia Mantelli Mantelli Mme. Mantelli, Late Prima Donna of (the) Metropolitan Opera House, New York. Direction of J. Saunders Gordon, 1905 - 1906 American Tour for Mme. Eugenia Mantelli Original Watercolor c. 1905 Lithographic Opera House Advertising Art  
Olympic by Marcia Marcus Marcus Olympic by Marcia Marcus Original Lithograph 1974 Advertising Poster commissioned for the 1974 Olympic Games  
British Navy Chewing Tobacco Leads the World by the McAlpin Tobacco Company Toronto Ontario McAlpin British Navy Chewing Tobacco Leads the World by the McAlpin Tobacco Company, Toronto, Ontario Original Colour Lithograph (Chromolithograph) on Board c. 1911 - 1912 McAlpin Tobacco Company, Toronto, Ontario, printed by The Hough Lithographic Company, Toronto  
Georges Besancon Ingenieur Aeronaute by Misti Ferdinand Mifliez Misti Georges Besancon: Ingenieur-Aeronaute by Misti (Ferdinand Mifliez) Original Lithographic Poster Printed in Colour 1898 Published by La Critique and printed by Paillard & Cie., Paris  
At Low Tide Pears Soap Company London by Sir Edward Poynter Poynter At Low Tide (Pears Soap Company, London) by Sir Edward Poynter Original Lithograph Printed in Colours 1914 Advertising Poster for the Pears Soap Company, London Sold
At The Window for The American Red Cross Red Cross At The Window for The American Red Cross Original Watercolour c. 1945 - 1950 Advertising Art for the American Red Cross Sold
The Century Magazine Christmas Number by Louis Rhead Rhead The Century Christmas Number by Louis John Rhead, 'Louis Rhead' Original Lithographic Poster Printed in Colour with Letterpress 1894 From the Collection of Ned Arden Flood: Century Magazine Lithographic Poster.  
Bieres Laubenheimer Laubenheimer Beer by Georges Ripart Ripart Bieres Laubenheimer (Laubenheimer Beer) by Georges Ripart Original Art Nouveau Lithographic Poster with Letterpress c. 1900 - 1925 Lithographic Advertising Poster for the French brewery, Brasserie Laubenheimer  
New Books by William Emile Schumacher William Schumacher Schumacher New Books by William Emile Schumacher, 'William Schumacher' Original Lithographic Poster Printed in Colour with Letterpress 1896 From the Collection of Ned Arden Flood: Century Magazine Lithographic Poster.  
Art 81 Washington by Marjorie Tomchuk Tomchuk Art 81 Washington by Marjorie Tomchuk Original Embossed Colour Screen Print 1981 Poster for Washington's 1981 Exhibition of Art  
L'Enfant Prodigue by Adolphe Willette Willette L'Enfant Prodigue by Adolphe-Leon Willette 'Adolphe Willette' Original Lithographic Poster 1890 Lithographic Advertising Theater Poster  
Satin Skin Powder by Albert F. Wood, Detroit Michigan Wood Satin Skin Powder by Albert F. Wood, Detroit, Michigan Original Lithographic Poster with Letterpress 1903 Early 20th century lithographic advertising poster published by Calvert Lithographing Company, Detroit, Michigan. Sold

Selected Directories in our Gallery (Art of The Print / www.artoftheprint.com), with a focus on the area of interest for this original work of art.
Art of the Print / www.artoftheprint.com sells international fine art. Our collection consists of original paintings, watercolors, drawings, and original prints, such as etchings, engravings, lithographs, woodcuts, silk-screens, aquatints, mezzotints, linocuts, monoprints, and other mediums of original art. All of these works of art have been created by prominent and established painters, illustrators, watercolour artists and printmakers from around the world. The art in our gallery ranges from the early Renaissance period to the modern and contemporary art period. You can view other original artworks similar to the subject under discussion on this page listed in the following art directories.
Century:
Fine 19th Century Artist Index The 'Fine 19th Century Art' directory contains a selection original works of art created by international painters, illustrators and graphic artists. These original works date from 1800 to 1899.
Fine 20th Century Artist Index The '20th Century artist' directory contains a listing of original works of art created by watercolor artists, painters, illustrators and graphic artists from around the world. These original works date from 1900 to the present day.
Country:
American Artist Index The 'American Artist' directory contains a listing of original works of art created by artists from the United States of America, and or art with an American theme. These artworks date from the 17th century to the 20th century.
Subject:
Posters & Advertising Art The 'Posters & Advertising Art' directory contains a list of original drawings, watercolors, paintings, lithographs and chromolithographic advertising art, such as fine art posters, cigar labels and trimmings, trade cards, post cards, die-cuts and other interesting forms of advertising. These original works of art were created by international painters, illustrators, watercolor artists and or original printmakers dating as far back as the 19th century and throughout the 20th century.
Exploration Portrayed in Art Index Our 'Exploration In Art' directory contains original artworks concentrating upon depictions of explores and exploratory artists from the past to the present.
Exploration Portrayed in Art Index Our 'Exploration In Art' directory contains original artworks concentrating upon depictions of explores and exploratory artists from the past to the present.


www.artoftheprint.com - Art of The Print Gallery

Customer inquiries: Contact us E-mail Address for www.artoftheprint.com or phone Greg & Connie (905) 957-6666

www.artoftheprint.com - Home | About Us | Artist Index | Gallery | Catalogue | Our Policy | Contact Us | Site Map

© copyrighted by Art of The Print / www.artoftheprint.com / Greg & Connie Peters. All Rights Reserved.