Pantograph

An pantograph is an instrument for copying, reducing and enlarging illustrations. This brass example was made around 1890, probably by Mathew Edwards, a scientific instrument maker based in Glasgow.

The pantograph comprises four hinged arms with two sliding, and one fixed, sockets. The arms are supported on ivory wheels. The instrument is engraved: 'M.EDWARDS. OPTICIAN. 209 SAUCHIEHALL STREET.'

In 1891, Mathew Edwards (c.1833-93) left the firm of James White, where he we was one of the two surviving partners, and set up independently as a scientific instrument maker. He died two years later, aged 60.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-102-768-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1980.179
• Date: Around 1890
  c. 1890
  
• Material: Brass. Inscription: M. EDWARDS, OPTICIAN, 209 SAUCHIEHALL ST
  
• Dimensions: 530 mm L
  
• What:
• Subject:
• Who: Arthur Frank Collection of Scottish Scientific Instruments
  Mathew Edwards, Glasgow (Maker)
  
• Where: Scotland, Lanarkshire, Glasgow
  
• Event:
• Description: 18" copying pantograph in brass, signed by Mathew Edwards, Glasgow, c. 1890
  
• 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 49,50 
  • Simpson, A.D.C. 'Brewster's Society of Arts and the Pantograph Dispute'. Book of the Old Edinburgh Club. New Series 1 (1991), pp 47-73 
  • T.N. Clarke, A.D. Morrison-Low and A.D.C. Simpson (1989): "Brass and Glass 
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