Planimeter - Metal, Plastic - 1970-1980 - Salmoiraghi Polar Planimeter, Model 236,
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days
08
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45
minutes
36
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Current bid
€ 2
No reserve price
Expert
Selected by Ashley Calvert
He has 15 years of experience trading 20th century glass and antiques.
Estimate € 80 - € 120
 | €2 |
|---|
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La Filotecnica Salmoiraghi Planimeter Polar Model 236, made in Italy (Milan) from metal and plastic, with dimensions 32 × 8 × 4 cm, in good used condition with minor signs of wear.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
For true collectors of scientific antiques, engineers, architects and enthusiasts of the history of technical design: we present an exceptional Salmoiraghi Polar Planimeter Model 236, a genuine jewel of high-precision Italian mechanics. Made by the renowned "La Filotecnica Salmoiraghi" of Milan, this instrument represents the apex of pre-digital analog technology, an era in which mathematics and physics fused with flawless metallurgical craftsmanship.
Founded in Milan in 1865 by Ignazio Porro and later led by Angelo Salmoiraghi, "La Filotecnica" was for over a century the absolute world reference in the production of optical, geodetic, measuring and aviation instruments. Salmoiraghi instruments traced the maps of our cities, designed Italy’s great historical infrastructures, and equipped the army and navy with millimetric targeting systems. Owning a Salmoiraghi-branded object means possessing a piece of the country’s history of industrial excellence.
Before the advent of CAD software on computers, the planimeter was the indispensable tool in engineering and surveying studies. It allows calculating the exact area of a geometrically irregular surface (such as a mountainous terrain, a basin, or a neighboring property) drawn on a map. The professional moved the instrument’s arm along the perimeter of the shape through the special optical aiming lens: a sophisticated integrated wheel recorded infinitesimal movements, translating them, thanks to the calibration scale, into real square meters or hectares with astonishing mathematical precision.
The lot is exceptionally well preserved and consists of:
- Salmoiraghi Model 236 planimeter in splendid aesthetic condition, with extremely clear graduations and scales, pristine lenses and smooth mechanics.
- Polished steel anchoring polar rod for fixed placement on the desk.
- Original calibration accessories and micrometric counterweights.
- Original rigid protective case from the period, inside which remains the intact and rare Original Salmoiraghi S.p.A. Milano Calibration Label with the calculation values printed in red and matched to the specimen’s serial number.
An object of immense charm and class, ideal to display in a modern professional study, in a loft, or inside a display case of antique instruments. An exclusive gift for a professional or a safe investment for the scientific collecting market.
Seller's Story
Welcome to our Catawiki store. Our journey in online sales began back in 2004, driven by a clear vision: creating online auctions dedicated to high-value objects.
Today, more than twenty years later, we carry forward that exact same vision. We are proud to have remained a small, family-run business, yet operating with the solidity and scale of major industry professionals: each year, we welcome more than 100 new clients, purchase over 150 lots, and select between 3,000 and 5,000 unique items to offer you.
Our commitment is reflected in everything we do, from the initial find to the final delivery to your doorstep:
• A Purchase with Social Value: Buying from us means securing a great deal while actively supporting the future of young Italian students. We collaborate closely with 3 graphic design and advertising schools in Milan, Bergamo, and Lecco.
We invest our time and expertise to teach these students the secrets of online sales, professional photography, and marketing. By choosing us, you are tangibly contributing to their education and career paths.
• Field Research and Discovery: For years, we have been personally scouting the most remote locations across Lombardy to find unique pieces, rarities, oddities, and mid-century modern design.
• We Invest Our Own Capital: We do not sell on consignment. We invest our own capital upfront to purchase and restore every single item, taking on all the risks ourselves.
• Direct Dealings with No Intermediaries: We manage every single price personally.
This allows us to eliminate third-party costs and ensure you get the best possible profit margin as a buyer or collector.
• Meticulous Restoration and Quality Control: We get our hands dirty. Every item is carefully restored and verified with an obsessive eye for detail before going up for auction.
• Secure and Eco-Friendly Shipping: To prevent inflated shipping costs and ensure indestructible packaging, my wife and I head out almost every evening, often at unusual hours, to collect heavy-duty industrial cardboard from businesses in our neighborhood.
We hand-select only pre-evaluated, ultra-resistant materials to offer you maximum protection at the lowest possible cost.
Choosing our lots means relying on the historic expertise of a family that has lived this passion since 2004, while investing in the next generation. Our schools and students thank you deeply for your trust.
Happy bidding!
Translated by Google TranslateFor true collectors of scientific antiques, engineers, architects and enthusiasts of the history of technical design: we present an exceptional Salmoiraghi Polar Planimeter Model 236, a genuine jewel of high-precision Italian mechanics. Made by the renowned "La Filotecnica Salmoiraghi" of Milan, this instrument represents the apex of pre-digital analog technology, an era in which mathematics and physics fused with flawless metallurgical craftsmanship.
Founded in Milan in 1865 by Ignazio Porro and later led by Angelo Salmoiraghi, "La Filotecnica" was for over a century the absolute world reference in the production of optical, geodetic, measuring and aviation instruments. Salmoiraghi instruments traced the maps of our cities, designed Italy’s great historical infrastructures, and equipped the army and navy with millimetric targeting systems. Owning a Salmoiraghi-branded object means possessing a piece of the country’s history of industrial excellence.
Before the advent of CAD software on computers, the planimeter was the indispensable tool in engineering and surveying studies. It allows calculating the exact area of a geometrically irregular surface (such as a mountainous terrain, a basin, or a neighboring property) drawn on a map. The professional moved the instrument’s arm along the perimeter of the shape through the special optical aiming lens: a sophisticated integrated wheel recorded infinitesimal movements, translating them, thanks to the calibration scale, into real square meters or hectares with astonishing mathematical precision.
The lot is exceptionally well preserved and consists of:
- Salmoiraghi Model 236 planimeter in splendid aesthetic condition, with extremely clear graduations and scales, pristine lenses and smooth mechanics.
- Polished steel anchoring polar rod for fixed placement on the desk.
- Original calibration accessories and micrometric counterweights.
- Original rigid protective case from the period, inside which remains the intact and rare Original Salmoiraghi S.p.A. Milano Calibration Label with the calculation values printed in red and matched to the specimen’s serial number.
An object of immense charm and class, ideal to display in a modern professional study, in a loft, or inside a display case of antique instruments. An exclusive gift for a professional or a safe investment for the scientific collecting market.
Seller's Story
Welcome to our Catawiki store. Our journey in online sales began back in 2004, driven by a clear vision: creating online auctions dedicated to high-value objects.
Today, more than twenty years later, we carry forward that exact same vision. We are proud to have remained a small, family-run business, yet operating with the solidity and scale of major industry professionals: each year, we welcome more than 100 new clients, purchase over 150 lots, and select between 3,000 and 5,000 unique items to offer you.
Our commitment is reflected in everything we do, from the initial find to the final delivery to your doorstep:
• A Purchase with Social Value: Buying from us means securing a great deal while actively supporting the future of young Italian students. We collaborate closely with 3 graphic design and advertising schools in Milan, Bergamo, and Lecco.
We invest our time and expertise to teach these students the secrets of online sales, professional photography, and marketing. By choosing us, you are tangibly contributing to their education and career paths.
• Field Research and Discovery: For years, we have been personally scouting the most remote locations across Lombardy to find unique pieces, rarities, oddities, and mid-century modern design.
• We Invest Our Own Capital: We do not sell on consignment. We invest our own capital upfront to purchase and restore every single item, taking on all the risks ourselves.
• Direct Dealings with No Intermediaries: We manage every single price personally.
This allows us to eliminate third-party costs and ensure you get the best possible profit margin as a buyer or collector.
• Meticulous Restoration and Quality Control: We get our hands dirty. Every item is carefully restored and verified with an obsessive eye for detail before going up for auction.
• Secure and Eco-Friendly Shipping: To prevent inflated shipping costs and ensure indestructible packaging, my wife and I head out almost every evening, often at unusual hours, to collect heavy-duty industrial cardboard from businesses in our neighborhood.
We hand-select only pre-evaluated, ultra-resistant materials to offer you maximum protection at the lowest possible cost.
Choosing our lots means relying on the historic expertise of a family that has lived this passion since 2004, while investing in the next generation. Our schools and students thank you deeply for your trust.
Happy bidding!
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Era
1900-2000
Title additional information
Salmoiraghi Polar Planimeter, Model 236,
Country of origin
Italy
Material
Metal, Plastic
Condition
Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes
Height
4 cm
Width
32 cm
Depth
8 cm
Estimated period
1970-1980
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