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Nice American mountain size (smaller) transit made by the rarely seenfirm of William Stieren dating to about 1875.It is in good working condition and has a9 1/2\" long scope,6inch plate and a4 1/2inch long compass needle. The optics andcross hairs are good, the motions turn well, thistransit is in nice working condition. There isa tripod and the original box. This transit has a neat and unusual form of north arrow,a neat and unusual form of detachable base, and the horizontal verners are angled which is also neat and unusual. This transit is from the time when the makers will still developing a standard, sostill tryingnew things to see what worked best. Postage is $45.00 (in 2 boxes)if within the US, more if you are outside the USA; no charge for careful packing. NOTE if you are outside the US I might not be able to ship the tripod since it is a stiff leg and will not collapse (I can ship the tripod head at least), please check before offerding. Also do not trust the shipping calculator, since this is 2 pieces I will have to get the overseasshipping cost.
Here is some information on theStieren firm:
WilliamStieren
1836-1884
William Stieren was born on May 27 1836 to Edward and Amalia Stieren inSalsgitter, Germany (Prussia). His early education wasin Germany, and he moved with his family to America in 1850. He finished his education in Philadelphia andBaltimore in advanced studies in the field of optician which he had alreadylearned in Germany. In Baltimore he turned his attention to the practicalmaking of scientific instruments.
After working severalyears in Baltimore he moved to Pittsburgh in 1861. In 1861 he married Helene Schenck, daughter toFrederick Gotthold Schenck Jr. William and Helene had two daughters and foursons. The sons included William Morgan, Harry, Frederick G., and Edward. Theirson Edward died in 1946. One of their daughters was named Helen and married aMr. Camp.
In 1863 he founded thefirm of William E. Stieren, Optician and Scientific Instrument Manufacturer andDealer on 6th street. This company also made surveyor\'s and astronomicalinstruments. Through industriousness and thrift he succeeded in expanding hisbusiness to such an extent that the rooms on 6th street became too small and hehad to enlarge them several times, until he brought the business to Smithfield Street.The Smithfield Street business block between Virgin Alley (laternamed Oliver Ave.) and 6th Ave. was cleared in 1908-1909 forerection of the 25 story Oliver Building.The William E. Stieren Company was the original home of the Mellon Bankat 145 (later 541) Smithfield in 1869; it was the largest optician shop in Pittsburgh at the time. He wasthe first in Pittsburgh to grind the newly discovered cylinder lenses tocorrect astigmatism. William E. was also director of the Fifth Avenue NationalBank and belonged to several clubs. He was a member of the Smithfield StreetGerman Reformed Lutheran Church.
William E. died of anattack (probably heart) on a trip to Philadelphia on Friday, May 6, 1884. Thefuneral was held at the family home on 5th Avenue, Oakland (part ofPittsburgh). He had a wide circle of friends. His mother, Amalia Stieren, dieda year before William.
William Morgan was born July24, 1866 in Pittsburgh, the sonof William Edward and Helene Schenck Stieren, he died in 1942. William Morganworked for and learned his father\'s optical and instrument business. After hisfather died, William Morgan and his brother Frederick G. Stieren took charge ofthe company. The partners ran the company until 1907 when it was incorporated asthe William M. Stieren Optical Company, optometrists and dealers in scientificand meteorological instruments, cameras, supplies, and kindred lines.
William served on theChamber of Commerce, was a member of the Christ Methodist Episcopal Church, andwas enrolled in the Men\'s Club. William married Clara J. Squires, daughter ofHenry G. and Charlotta (Jeffers) Squires in 1894. Together they had one son,William Morgan Stieren Jr., born in April, 1895. William Jr. worked in hisfather\'s business as an adult. He was still single and living at home in 1920.
Noteworthyis the fact that the prestige which the establishment acquired under theleadership of the father has been maintained and increased under that of theson.
