Drafting Set

Drafting Set Case
English or French
ca. 1770 – 1820

This small navigational drafting set case held a sector, parallel rule, divider, stylus, ruling pens, and a rule.

Shagreen. H 17.2, W 7.4, T 2.9 cm
The George C. Neumann Collection,
Valley Forge National Historical Park, VAFO 1433

Divider
ca. 1770 – 1820

This device was used for measuring distances when reading or creating maps.

Brass. L 13, W 3.5, H 0.9 cm
The George C. Neumann Collection,
Valley Forge National Historical Park, VAFO 1809

Ruling Pen
ca. 1770 – 1820

After the tips were dipped in ink, these pens were used to create maps and to draw detailed lines.

Brass. L 7.8, Dia 0.9 cm
The George C. Neumann Collection,
Valley Forge National Historical Park, VAFO 1810

Ruling Pen
ca. 1770 – 1820

Brass. L 9.3, Dia 1 cm
Valley Forge National Historical Park, VAFO 1811

Stylus
ca. 1770 – 1820

A stylus was used to copy maps. By placing the point of a stylus on a map and tracing it, the stylus would cut a line and make a stencil of the map to be copied.

Iron, brass. L 5.6, Dia 0.5 cm
The George C. Neumann Collection,
Valley Forge National Historical Park, VAFO 1812

Parallel Rule
ca. 1770 – 1820

This instrument consists of two straight rules joined together with two swinging brass hinges. It is designed so that the two rules move apart in a parallel manner for measuring.

Ivory, brass. L 15.2, W 3.4 cm
The George C. Neumann Collection,
Valley Forge National Historical Park, VAFO 1816