Universal equinoctial dial

This universal portable equinoctial dial, a type of sundial, was made around 1820. It was sold by W. & S. Jones, scientific instrument retailers based in London.

The brass instrument is fitted with two levels and three levelling screws. It is inscribed 'W & S JONES/ 50 HOLBORN/ LONDON'. It is universal in the sense that it can be set up to any latitude on the hinged altitude arc.

Although this instrument would have been more expensive and less portable than a pocket watch, it was sufficiently beautiful and complicated to impress its owner's friends of his wealth and mathematical abilities.

Record details

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Online ID:	000-100-102-669-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland T.1923.25
Date:	Around 1820 c. 1820
Material:	Brass / shagreen box
Dimensions:	5.00" D (dial ring)
What:	Sundial, portable / box
Subject:	20. TIME MEASUREMENT, Sundials (Departmental Classification)
Who:	W. and S. Jones, 30 Holborn, London (Sundial maker)
Where:	England, London
Event:
Description:	Portable sundial of brass, in a shagreen box, by W. and S. Jones of Holborn, London, c. 1820
References:	For the development of different forms of sundial, see Turner, Anthony, Early Scientific Instruments 1400-1800. London: 1987, pp 174-81
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