CECIL E. HANSON COLLECTION
ANTIQUE SURVEYING INSTRUMENTS

AMERICAN LEVELS

James E. Moody - Boston, MA ca.1880's

Serial Number:
Telescope Length: 16"
Spirit level Length: 8"
Height: 7"
Weight: Instrument - 9.4 lb; Case + instrument - 14.2 lb
Condition: Very good
Case: Mahagony, 18" x 9" x 5-1/2"
Found: Bought from Buff & Buff, Boston, October 21, 1966
CEH Inventory# L

James E. Moody (1848–1913) was a independent scientific instrument maker in Boston, Massachusetts during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He originally worked under John H. Temple (1812-1877), who was widely considered one of the finest mathematical instrument makers in the United States.

From: Smart, Charles E. The Makers Of Surveying Instruments In America Since 1700  Troy, New York. Regal Art Press. 1962 

"...James E. Moody (1848-1913) who was employed by Temple assembled the incomplete instruments after Temple's death and sold them locally.  Moody also repaired transits, levels and alidades.  He is reputed to have been a very skillful instrument maker."

There is a Wye Level make by Moody in the Harvard University Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments shown in a picture above that appears to be identical to this instrument. It is dated ca.1880 so this instrument was also likely made in this time frame. (https://chsi.emuseum.com/objects/17138/moody-y-level?ctx=16d0457d7f01f4263bc08663e291b59900841646&idx=1)