Accession No
6911
Brief Description
book about using the messknecht, Pressler's Messknecht, by Max Pressler (author) and Frederick Vieweg (publisher), German, March 1852
Origin
Germany
Maker
Max Pressler [author] Frederick Vieweg and sohn, Braunschweig [publisher]
Class
books
Earliest Date
1852
Latest Date
1852
Inscription Date
Material
cloth (synthetic); paper (paper, cardboard); metal (copper)
Dimensions
112mm (width) x 15mm (height) x 160mm (length)
Special Collection
Provenance
Purchased from Le Zograscope, Paris, France, in November 2025.
Inscription
Pressler's Melsknecht [middle front cover]
Description Notes
Book about using the messknecht, Pressler's Messknecht, by Max Pressler (author) and Frederick Vieweg (publisher), German, March 1852.
Small rectangular hardback book published in March 1852 in Germany. Green embossed decorated cover with gold inlaid lettering "Pressler's Melsknecht". 108 numbered pages, 117 total printed pages, written in German. Inside front page has illegible text written in pen with a signature, rear page has "(846)" written in pencil. On rear back inside cover is a card instrument in a holder, with a one pfennig coin dated with 1852.
References
Events
Description
This small rectangular book is an instructional guide for Pressler's Messknecht, written by German forester Max Robert Pressler (1815-1886). Its front page, translated from German, explains that is the "Prospectus for the "Messknecht" - an incredibly simple, handy, inexpensive, and versatile tool." Pressler invented the tool to help measure the height of trees from a distance, using mathematical calculations.
The "Messknecht" is a cardboard table which can be folded into a corner with divisions marked on it. Degrees, sine, cosine, tangens. A thin thread attached to the centre allows the user to accurately mark out the correct number when using the edge of the tool.
23/07/2026
Created by: Berengar Needham on 23/07/2026
FM:47801
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