1836 Handwritten CIPHER BOOK Arithmetic, Surveying, Compass-Lancaster County, PA


1836 Handwritten CIPHER BOOK Arithmetic, Surveying, Compass-Lancaster County, PA

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1836 Handwritten CIPHER BOOK Arithmetic, Surveying, Compass-Lancaster County, PA:
$215.00


1836-1839 Manuscript Cipher Book by John Seldomridge of Intercourse, Leacock Township, Lancaster County, PA
Covering Arithmetic, Land Surveying, Compass Reading, To Enlarge and Diminish Maps, and more.
This is an extremely uncommon handwritten Cipher Book, also known as a Cypher (or Cyphering) Book, written between 1836 and 1838, with some additional entries from 1846. Book was written by John Seldomridge (1817-1898), a prominent merchant and justice of the peace, and who was elected Prothonotary of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania in 1863. Seldomridge was 19 years old when he began his \"cyphering book.\" He was the son of John Seldomridge Sr. (1782-c1849), who became the owner of the Crosskeys Tavern, one of the first structures in Lancaster County. The Seldomridges were among the earliest and most prominent settlers of the county. 16 pages + [2] blank + [42] pgs + 16 pgs added at end [8 written, 8 blank]. 76 pages total, 66 of which are written, 10 of which are blank. Illustrated (printed) front wrap. Measures approx. 7.75 inches by 12.5 inches.
In the 18th and early 19th centuries, when paper was still expensive and textbooks were not always available, students who learned arithmetic and related subjects would sometimes write out their own texts by hand. Some, like this one, were quite elaborate, featuring calligraphy chapter titles, extremely complex calculations and diagrams. It must have been a massive feat to complete this impressive and complex work.
The Cipher Book begins on January 22, 1836, and continues off and on until February 8, 1839. Seldomridge would return to this important book in 1846 to enter stock purchases. There are the additional pages (mentioned above) that are of a slightly smaller size, that appear to have been stitched onto the end of the book, and hence there is no rear wrap. Chapters and topics include the Reduction/Addition/Subtraction of Vulgar Fractions, a detailed land indenture, Laying Out and Dividing Land, Variations of the Compass, To Enlarge and Diminish Maps, To Survey With A Chain Only, Miscellaneous Questions, and more.An extremely uncommon and fascinating look at mathematics and land surveying as it was being taught in America about 180 years ago.
CONDITION: Good condition. Front wrap is worn and soiled, with some spotting and minor creasing. Rear wrap is missing. Some wear to the corners and edges. Contents have scattered soiling spots and minor creasing, with normal age-toning. This remains a sound and desirable example of a Cipher Book.
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1836 Handwritten CIPHER BOOK Arithmetic, Surveying, Compass-Lancaster County, PA:
$215.00

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