Description:

1802 DRAWING AND DESCRIPTION OF A PROPOSED STEAM ENGINE
In 1798 Nicholas Roosevelt and James Sullivan received a patent for a double steam engine. On March 24 of the same year, Robert McKean of New Castle, Delaware and a relative of Signer Thomas McKean, was issued a patent signed by President John Adams for a steam-operated sawmill, the first such sawmill in the United States. Offered here is a small grouping concerning an improved steam engine of McKean's own design, no doubt intended to be used in his sawmills. Included is a McKean's hand-drawn schematic, his 'Specification & Drawing of a newly Proposed double reciprocating Steam Engine'. drawn in ink on a 12.75 x 15.5 in. sheet, [n.p., 1802]. The sheet offers several views of a rather simple but completely effective double reciprocating steam engine which was in use into the 1950s. Also included is McKean's description of the engine, signed at the top and at the conclusion, 2pp. legal folio, Philadelphia, May, 1802. It briefly describes the parts of the engine, its operation, and closes noting that the engine 'may be applied to any machine or machinery, or to any Purpose...'. Finally, there is a 2pp. legal folio calculation of various outputs in horsepower depending on cylinder diameters, Philadelphia, Nov. 29, 1802, prepared and signed by engineer 'James Smallman'. Three pieces, very good. Smallman was a delineator at the Washington Navy Yard, working with Benjamin Latrobe. Born in England and an engineer for Boulton & Watt, he earlier hired by Nicholas Roosevelt to be in charge of the smelting works at Soho and placed in charge of building the engine for the Polacca.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, COD (cash on delivery), Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

*SEE ADITTIONAL SHIPPING ABOVE* -Shipments are sent via FedEx and DHL (for most overseas shipments) or FedEx Ground at the auctioneer's option. Due to complications from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we will ship with USPS Priority Mail only if the buyer submits their request to us in writing and accepts responsibility for delayed shipments. Signature is always required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling and shipping charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyers should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. International shipments are invoiced by DIMENSIONAL weight, not the item weight. Please contact us for an estimate before bidding NOTE: Large, heavy or bulky items may not be shipped by the auctioneer - arrangements for shipping of these items via a third-party shipper may be arranged through the auction house. Customers who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee. Please allow 2-3 weeks for shipments after receipt of payment due to the high volume of packages being shipped.

December 6, 2024 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $999,999 $10,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $50,000
$2,000,000 + $100,000