Antique & Scientific Instruments U.K.

 

 

ANTIQUE SUNDIALS & COMPASSES for sale  

 

  

A late 18th or early 19th century brass Augsburg pattern equinoctial compass sun dial signed on the underside of the compass box Joh= Schrettegger im Augsburg, in its original card case . The silvered hour ring is engraved 3 –12 & 1 - 9 for the time and holds the sprung gnomon. The silvered folding latitude arc is engraved from 0 to 88 degrees. The octagonal horizontal plate is decoratively engraved and the blue iron compass needle has a brass cap and rotates above a silvered scale containing the cardinal points of the compass in Latin. The card case also contains a double sided printed paper showing the latitude of numerous cities on one side and instructions for use in German and French on the other, and is complete with brass catch, although the paper hinge to the case has long since parted. A good working example of this fine iconic pocket sundial/compass from the home of the Augsburg Dial. - £695

 

A mid 19th century, antique Compass Sun Dial, engraved on the inclining plane P.Myres, London. Philip Myres was known to work in Nottingham from 1825 to 1835, so it is likely that he either moved to London after 1835 or just used a London address for better international credibility, as many companies do today. This type of universal inclining dial, first introduced in the mid 18th century. The 3 ½ inch diameter chapter ring is engraved in  Roman Numerals, for the time and holds the sprung gnomon. The inclination scale is engraved from 0 to 60 degrees which makes the dial a universal dial able to be set for any latitude (up to 60 degrees) and is hinged to fold for transportation. The enclosed silvered compass dial is engraved with the cardinal points as well as four 0 to 90 degree quadrant scales and the jewelled iron compass needle is clamped for transport by a small brass lever. The sundial neatly folds flat for transport.550

An 18th century Augsburg pattern equinoctial compass sun dial engraved on the underside of the compass box with latitudes for several European cities, and with the makers name And Vogl, the abbreviation for Andreas Vogler, compass maker in Augsburg. The 5 cm. Diameter chapter ring is engraved in Roman numerals for the time and holds the sprung gnomon. The folding latitude arc is engraved from 0 to 90 degrees. The octagonal horizontal plate is mercurial gilded and engraved with foliate & geometric decoration. The glazed compass has a blue iron compass needle with a brass cap and rotates above a silvered scale containing the cardinal points of the compass in Latin, and the local magnetic declination (dating it to the second half of the 18th century). The whole dial folds down neatly for storage or travelling. The instrument is in good working order and is an excellent example of the 18th century German pocket compass dial - £650

  

 

 

this page was last updated 06/12/2011

 

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