Description

Offered for sale we have a very interesting antique 19th century surveyor’s level/theodolite in brass by W. Watson & Son of 313 High Holborn, London carrying serial number 732 with fascinating provenance.  The instrument has an fascinating provenance as it was formerly the property of civil engineer Robert Piercy (1825-1894) with his name embossed to the outer leather case.  As you will see from the copy of Robert Piercy’s obituary as published by the Institute of Civil Engineers, he was involved in the construction of railways connected to coal mining in Wales and later overseas on the island of Sardinia where he assisted his more famous brother Benjamin Piercy.  The Piercy brothers were instrumental in opening up the mountainous interior of Sardinia, constructing railways across the island, very much as described in a recent TV documentary by Michael Portillo as part of his Railway Journeys series.  The Piercys are still very well regarded in Sardinia to this day.  Following completion of his work in Sardinia Robert Piercy later worked on railways in British India, particularly in Assam.