W. F. Stanley & Co. was a precision instrument maker founded in 1847 by William Frederick Stanley in London. The company specialized in the production of surveying instruments, such as theodolites, levels, and compasses. Stanley instruments were known for their high quality and precision. In the early 20th century, Stanley of London expanded its product line to include microscopes, telescopes, and barometers. The company also began to manufacture optical instruments, such as binoculars and telescopes.

The company continued to be a leading manufacturer of precision instruments until the mid-20th century. However W. F. Stanley & Co. faced increasing competition from Japanese and German manufacturers and in 1967, the company was acquired by the British engineering company, Smiths Industries.

Smiths Industries continued to produce Stanley instruments for a few years, but the company eventually discontinued the brand. A new company named Stanley of London founded on the reputation of W. more...

19 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

Antique wood cased brass theodolite, marked for W.F. Stanley,…

Antique wood cased brass theodolite, marked for W.F. Stanley, London, and E.Esdaile, hunter Street, Sydney. In original fitted wooden case.

A Prismatic brass surveyor's compass, by Stanley, London, circa…

Stanley Prismatic Brass Surveyor's Compass (London, circa 1900)

A Prismatic brass surveyor's compass, by Stanley, London, circa 1900, with leather carrying case and shoulder strap, 7 cm diameter (approx.)

Victorian cased Negretti & Zambra brass pocket compensated…

Victorian Brass Barometer by Negretti & Zambra

Victorian cased Negretti & Zambra brass pocket compensated barometer with silvered dial, #8508 with another by Stanley

A brass and liquid mercury surveyor's level No.10656z, by W. F.…

Antique Surveyor's Level by W.F. Stanley & Co

A brass and liquid mercury surveyor's level No.10656z, by W. F. Stanley & Co Ltd., London circa 1907, the inlaid brass label on case reading 'H T Tudsberry', with original paper trade label to lid of case, 17.5 cm high

A boxed brass elliptical drawing gauge by W. F. Stanley, London…

Brass Drawing Gauge and Compass Set

A boxed brass elliptical drawing gauge by W. F. Stanley, London accompanied by a boxed compass, early 20th century, largest box 35.5 cm long

A brass surveyors level by W.F. Stanley, London, with fitted…

W.F. Stanley Brass Surveyors Level with Case

A brass surveyors level by W.F. Stanley, London, with fitted hard wood case, 16 cm high, 25 cm long

A Stanley of London cased telescope, in brass with a stitched…

Stanley London Telescope, 1885

A Stanley of London cased telescope, in brass with a stitched leather finish. Inscribed Stanley London 1885 to telescope. Wooden case with brass fixings and manufacturers plate to the lid. Extended length 46.5 cm, closed length 18 cm

A Stanley Fuller's slide rule calculator, no. 7009. With…

Stanley Fuller's Slide Rule Calculator in Mahogany Case

A Stanley Fuller's slide rule calculator, no. 7009. With printed sliding drum scales, central inscribed brass bar, mahogany caps and handle, in fitted mahogany case with holding bracket, retailed by E. Esdaile & Sons, also bearing the Stanley label,…

Fuller's spiral slide rule Calculator, by W. F. Stanley, London,…

Vintage Calculator Set with Accessories

Fuller's spiral slide rule Calculator, by W. F. Stanley, London, in wooden case, together with a barograph, a Hockley Abbey John Rabone & Sons tape measure and a metronome (4), length 43 cm. Provenance: The Estate of Neville Grace, Sydney

An early 20th century Stanley 'Surveying Aneroid Compensated'…

Stanley Pocket Barometer/Altimeter with Leather Case

An early 20th century Stanley 'Surveying Aneroid Compensated' pocket barometer/altimeter, ebonised brass case, the dial with scales detailed in inches and feet, in original stitched leather case, the small viewing magnifying glass absent. Diameter of case…

Vintage Stanley brass surveyors theodolite, stamped…

Stanley Brass Theodolite on Adjustable Stand

Vintage Stanley brass surveyors theodolite, stamped 'Stanley/London/107420.' On adjustable stand. Length 36 cm

Original mahogany cased surveyors calculator by 'Stanley & Co.,…

Vintage Surveyor's Calculator by Stanley & Co. London

Original mahogany cased surveyors calculator by 'Stanley & Co., London'

A Fullers spiral slide Rule Calculator by W. F. Stanley, great…

Fullers Spiral Slide Rule Calculator with Mahogany Box

A Fullers spiral slide Rule Calculator by W. F. Stanley, great Turnstile, Holborn c.1900 with fitted mahogany box and makers instruction guides case length 45 cm

Theodolite by Stanley of London called 'The Eltham' model…

Precision Theodolite Set with Accessories and Glass Dome

Theodolite by Stanley of London called 'The Eltham' model housed in 19th century glass dome. A precision instrument in excellent working condition. Together with a 14 foot telescopic staff plus a 100 foot standard steel tape measure by E.R.Watts of London…

A vintage Stanley brass miners or Clinometer compass. in solid…

Vintage Stanley Brass Clinometer Compass

A vintage Stanley brass miners or Clinometer compass. in solid brass with a mirror, spirit level and slit sighting mirror. Diameter 8 cm

Fuller's spiral cylindrical slide rule by W.F. Stanley…

Fuller's Spiral Cylindrical Slide Rule

Fuller's spiral cylindrical slide rule by W.F. Stanley consisting of an outer wooden cylinder that slides up & down & rotates. Two brass rings lined with felt are inside this cylinder. the cylinder is covered with paper marked with a single spiral…

Stanley, London dumpy level on compass base no. 7758 all brass…

London Dumpy Level with Compass Base (Damaged Glass)

Stanley, London dumpy level on compass base no. 7758 all brass (compass glass damaged)

Stanley theodolite surveyors tool c1895 in fitted mahogany box…

Antique Stanley Theodolite in Mahogany Box

Stanley theodolite surveyors tool c1895 in fitted mahogany box with paper label. 19th century patina. Good condition

An old Victorian patinated brass surveyors sight compass with…

Victorian Surveyor's Sight Compass with Leather Case

An old Victorian patinated brass surveyors sight compass with fitted leather case. Made by Stanley, London. Length 17 cm