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Arthur Thomas Co. Device

Zoology

The instrument is made up of a dark metal base which supports a metal grey metal cylindical component with two handles. The base is a single piece of metal made up up of a recatangular platform (182x134x12mm). Rising out of the base is a curved metal arc that is wider at the base and narrows as it reaches its apex (aprox. 160mm tall). The top of the strucutre features a whole that allows the grey metal component to pass through the center. The top of the whole in the place metal structure is hinged to the base and a bolt and screw keep it in place on the other side.

The metal grey compenent is made up up several interlocking cylindircal pieces combined along a horizontal axis. On the one side two wingnuts are used to secure parts of the structure together. On this same side there is a handle afixed to an arm that reaches (aprox. 180mm) away from the contraption. On the other side, a wheel with 4 curved spokes is attached to the structure. One of the wheel’s spokes is perforated by a handle.

Accession Number: 2016.zoo.16

Alternative Name:

Primary Materials:

Markings:

The base of the device has the following label “from Arthur H. Thomas Co. Philadelphia, U.S.A.”

Dimensions (cm): 182x134x265

Function:

[Possibly used for crushing, grinding, or pulverizing]

Condition:

The entire instrument is dirty. The base has grey staining and there is white writing on the stem of the base. The instrument probably came with screws that attached to the base when it was purchased but has not been definitively confirmed.The handle shaft and wing nuts are scratched. There are some stains on the metal that may come off with cleaning.

Associated Instruments:

Manufacturer: Arthur H. Thomas Co.

Date of Manufacture:

Provenance:

Additional Information and References:

I did find a 1914 catalogue from Arthur H. Thomas Co. that is housed at Gerstein Library. The catalogue, unfortunately, contains no entries that resemble this instrument. The section on “Crushing, Grinding, and Pulverizing Apparatus” does have some cranks and handles that are somewhat similar to this instrument (p. 161-165).

Historical Notes:

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