made in London

Astronomical compendium (detail)

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 detail shows the hour circle of the universal equatorial sundial.

The hour circle is mounted on a crescent-shaped support so that it can be rotated. This side of the circle is for use in winter and is marked for 12 hours, numbered VI-XII-VI and divided into half-hours. It is engraved 'Humfrey Cole 1575'.

The entire sundial structure folds up into the compendium when it is closed, for protection when not in use.

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Online ID:	000-190-001-907-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: 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
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
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