Name/Title
James Langdon's Drafting Tools, ca. 1870Entry/Object ID
2025.9.2Description
Mahogany case with purple cloth interior containing 13 drafting tools that once belonged to James Langdon of Berlin and Montpelier, Vermont, ca. 1870. Inside the cover is a white label that reads: MÉDAILLE D'ARGENT / Marque de Fabrique / EXPOSITION DE PARIS 1867. Inside the cover in inscribed "James R. Langdon / of Berlin Vermont". On the bottom of the box is incribed in faint pencil "J.M. Coates / 1901 / from J.R. Langdon."Context
According to the cataloging for a similar set of tools at the Smithsonian's Museum of American History, "It is unclear which European firm won a silver medal at the 1867 Paris Exposition for the entire set or an instrument within it. This example was likely first sold soon after the fair and before the next major competition for makers of scientific instruments, such as Havre in 1869 or Vienna in 1873." (https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/object/nmah_1122136#:~:text=Description) Based on descriptions for other similar sets, our set may have had a protractor and ruler which are not present.
Joseph M. Coates was the great-grandfather of the donor, J. Paul Coates. (J. Paul Coates was the son of Norman Joseph Coates who was the son of Joseph Clifton Coates who was the son of Joseph M. Coates.)Acquisition
Accession
2025.9Source or Donor
Coates, J. Paul (Joseph Paul), 1959-Acquisition Method
GiftLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Secondary Object Term
Set, DraftingNomenclature Primary Object Term
Instrument, DraftingNomenclature Class
Drafting T&ENomenclature Category
Category 06: Tools & Equipment for CommunicationRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Langdon, James R., 1813-1895Person or Organization
Coates, Joseph M., 1865-1918
