Spirit Levels – William Marples and Sons, Ltd.

It is apparent that MARPLES were involved in the manufacture of Spirit Levels very early on, since the first reference I can find is in the broadsheet of 1846:

By 1861 the range has expanded somewhat:

And has increased substantially by 1873:

Next are the 1888 catalogue entries:

The 1897 Catalogue entries are here:

Next is the 1909 Catalogue:

Next are the 1921 truncated catalogue offerings:

And then to the again expanded 1928 listings:

Those 1938 listings are here:

The 1959 issue catalogue shows a slight decrease in availability:

But by the time the 1965 Catalogue was issued, things have changed:

The 1972 and Supplemental Catalogue show these levels:

Below is a table that I have constructed to show the Levels available from 1909 onwards and of necessity I have had to use short forms. Please understand that when, for example, a date of 38 [1938] is shown and nothing else, this indicates that the level is seen in the 1938 Catalogue but I have no information as to when it was introduced or discontinued as it obviously does not show in the 1928 or 1959 Catalogues.

Short Forms:
Adj. = Adjustable
Al = Aluminium
Box = Boxwood
Br = Brass
c = with
Hdwd = Hardwood
Mahog = Mahogany
N21 = Not listed in the 1921 Catalogue
P = Plated
Pl = Plumb
Rswd = Rosewood
S = Shockproof
SE = Straight Edge
TE = Tipped Ends

Here I can present to you some good examples of Spirit Levels:

It should be noted that the ‘Plate’ is the Brass plate affixed to the top of the Spirit Level and that the ‘Tips’ are the Brass plates affixed to the bottom of the Level at the ends.

#442 . You have to go back to 1873 to find this rarity. It is described as ‘End and Side view Spirit Level’, but clearly has an Early Field sight. I cannot find it in 1888, so cannot even guestimate start and end production dates. This level came as 8″; 9″; 10″ and 12 “. This one is 10″. A similar Level is shown in 1861 but that one is plated on the bottom as well. Rosewood and is Heavy plated:

#443. This pattern below appears in the 1873 Cat. and the example below is c.1880. They were manufactured as 8″;9″;10″ and 12″ and described as ‘Horizontal and Plumb Spirit Levels“.

#452 . Ebony Scotch Pattern Spirit level. First seen in 1861 it was numbered #452 in 1873 and renumbered #604 in 1888. Re-numbered again to #2286 in 1909 when it was available in 8″; 9″; 10″ and 12″. After that it is not to be found so maybe was phased out c.1914.

#453 [1873] Ebony Spirit Level with raised tube. Later renumbered in 1888 to #605. Not seen in the 1897 Cat.[ Listed as 10″ but actually 9.1/2″]:

#2270 Narrow Hardwood ‘Shockproof’:

#2277 Narrow Ebony plated Spirit Level was available up to c.1930. It was introduced in 1873 as #450, became #602 in 1888 and #2277 in 1909. It is seen with a thick plate and tips:

#2280 Best Rosewood, Strong Plated [but not ‘tipped’] Noted for its’ square ends it is first seen in the 1862 catalogue, became #440 in 1873, #591 in 1888 and finally #2280 in 1909 and lasted up to c.1928. The rounded side porthole would indicate a very early issue. The 6 inch size was added in 1873 and at that time sizes available were: 6; 8; 9; 10; 12; 14; 16; and 18 inch. In 1909 the range has depleted to just 8; 9; 10 and 12 inch

The two shown below are both 10″ and the earliest one is at the front:

Below is a 6″ #591 c.1870 with brass screws holding the strong brass plate.

#2285 Rosewood Scotch Pattern Spirit Level. This level is hard to distinguish from #2272 which was made of Walnut. In the photo below the middle level could be #2272.

#2286 Ebony Scotch Pattern with Brass Mounts, this one is 8″ :

#2290 This is the level with the brass slide over the glass tube. Ebony based.
c.1909 to c.1928

#2301 Walnut with Plumb tube and end tipped. Was available as 8;9;10;12;14;16 and 18 inch lengths. 1″ wide and 1.1/2″ deep this one is 8″ long:

#2306 Best Walnut with Plumb and Field Sight:

#2317 Thin Mahogany Boat shaped level. Quite a common level which became ‘Shockproof‘ c.1935. First seen and numbered #620 in 1888 it became forever #2317 in 1909 and until 1972.[ The ‘Shockproof‘ Patent was numbered 423896 and was stamped on the plate on all levels so equipped and they all had coloured liquid {1928<} in the vials.] In the photo below both the front and back levels are not Shockproof and the front level is the oldest of the group. Presently I am unable to explain why some levels have a brass cross-piece in the plate , whereas others do not!!

#2318 Narrow Hardwood with Plumb Tube, Brass Tipped, Shockproof:

#2320 Easy View Pocket Level:

This 9 inch level had a Patent number of 1147981 which was granted on 10th April 1969. It may have neen introduced earlier but it first appears in the 1972 Catalogue. The horizontal level was completely of clear plastic and was virtually indestructible. It was available for a very short time and does not show in 1977.

Another 2320 level..but with the small level inserted from below?:

#2321 Cast Aluminium ‘Boatshape’ with Plumb and Mitre Tubes:

#2327 Narrow Boxwood [3/4″] Rule marked and available in 1928 as 6;8;9;10 and 12 inch lengths. Later issues were ‘Shockproof’. The 1959 Cat. indicates that these had tipped ends and available as 8;9;10 and 12 inch.
Available 28-12/63: