Universal equinoctial dial

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This universal portable equinoctial dial, a type of sundial, was made around 1840. It was sold by John Davis, a scientific instrument retailer who had a shop in Edinburgh's Princes Street in the 1840s.

The brass instrument is inscribed on the chapter ring 'J. Davies, Edinburgh'. It is universal in the sense that it can be set up to any latitude on the hinged altitude arc.

The dial bears a very close resemblance to examples bearing the name of W. & S. Jones of London, Dollond of London and Abraham & Co. of Liverpool and Glasgow.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-102-763-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1980.166
• Date: Around 1840
  c. 1840
  
• Material: Brass. Inscription: J. Davis, Edinburgh
  Sundial, portable
  
• Dimensions: 109 mm D
  
• What: Sundial, portable
  
• Subject:
• Who: Arthur Frank Collection of Scottish Scientific Instruments
  J. Davis, Edinburgh (Engraved on sundial)
  John Davies, Edinburgh, Midlothian (Maker)
  
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: Folding universal equinoctial dial in brass, with silvered scales and fitted leather-covered case, signed by John Davies, Edinburgh, c. 1840
  
• References:
  • Clarke, T.N., Morrison-Low, A.D. & Simpson, A.D.C., Brass & glass scientific instrument making workshops in Scotland as illustrated by instruments from the Arthur Frank Collection at the Royal Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh: NMS, 1989, pp 99-101 
  • T.N. Clarke, A.D. Morrison-Low and A.D.C. Simpson (1989): "Brass and Glass 
• Translations:
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