Astronomical compendium (base)

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This astronomical compendium - a nocturnal, a latitude list, a pocket sun-dial, compass and calendar combined - was made in London in 1575 by Humphrey Cole, a notable instrument maker. This picture shows the lower leaf of the compendium.

The outside of the bottom leaf has a perpetual calender with Saints' days, Christian feasts, Dominical Letters, Golden Numbers and Epacts. It consists of seven circles and is inscribed in the centre 'THIS TABLE BEGINNETH AT 1572 AND SO FOR EVER'.

The perpetual calendar enables the user, knowing the Dominical Letter for the particular year, to calculate the days of the week for any arbitrary month in any year.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-001-910-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.NL 18
• Date: 1575
  
• Material: Gilt brass. Inscription: THIS TABLE BEGINNETH AT 1572 AND SO FOREVER ETC
  Compendium dial, pocket / sundial / compass / calendar
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Compendium dial, pocket / sundial / compass / calendar
  
• Subject: Jewellery: clocks, watches (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who: Humphrey Cole, London (Maker)
  
• Where: England, London
  
• Event:
• Description: Pocket compendium dial of gilt-brass, with sundial, compass and calendar combined, made by Humphrey Cole, London, 1575
  
• References:
  • Gunther, R.T. The Great Astrolabe and Other Scientific Instruments of Humphrey Cole. Archaeologia 76 (1926), pp 273-317, esp. p 289 
• Translations:
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