Universal equinoctial dial

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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: 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
  Sundial, portable / 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 
• Translations:
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