160 160. A BRASS SUNDIAL BY HILKIAH BEDFORD, LONDON, C.1666-1674
of typical octagonal form, signed between ‘VIII’ and ‘IIII’ H. Bedford in Fleet street, complete with original foliate gnomon -- 14in. (35.5cm.) diameter
Hilkiah Bedford specialised in mathematical instruments and portable dials, working between 1656-1680 from several addresses in the City, he signed his instruments
...in Fleet street. between 1666 and 1674, thereafter adding near Fetter Lane.. He died in 1689.
£1200-1800 161.
A GOOD MID 19TH-CENTURY DIPLEIDOSCOPE BY E.J. DENT
constructed in oxidised-brass, signed on the polished-brass cap, countersigned and numbered to side E.J. Dent Patentee 624, levelling screw, bubble level and compass, contained within original mahogany box, together with a copy of Dent’s Table for the equation of time, 1846 to accompany his new meridian instrument, and a note attributing provenance to Captain Thomas Levois, in the slave trade most of his time, the lid containing polarising filter. Overall measurements -- 6in. (15cm.) square
The dipleidoscope was patented in 1843 by James Bloxam and marketed by Edward Dent for timing the meridian transit of the sun. The mirror cell contains a hollow, right-angled prism, with two sides silvered and one of glass. The meridian transit was determined by the coincidence of two images of the sun by single and double reflection, one from the top glass and the other from both mirrors. With the base properly levelled and oriented, the meridian transit could be read to seconds.
£400-600 161
162. A LATE 19TH-CENTURY POCKET COMPASS SUNDIAL BY STEWARD, LONDON
with 1½in. silvered compass dial signed as per title, steel hand with clamp, lacquered-brass bowl with hinged sundial over with dual divisions inscribed INNER CIRCLE OF LETTER & FIGURES USED IN SOUTHERN LATITUDES, oxidised-brass gnomon and folding latitude scale, contained in original plush-lined leather case with securing hooks -- 3in. (7.5cm.) overall
£200-400 163.
A MID-18TH-CENTURY AUGSBURG POCKET DIAL IN THE MANNER OF ANDREAS VOGLER
constructed in brass with black-filled lettering, 1in. glazed compass with original steel needle, silvered dial with compass rose engraved ‘OR’ for east and ‘OC’ for west, the back plate with latitudes for European capitals and ?maker’s initial’s ‘WTM’, contained within original leather-covered card case with remnant lining and securing hook -- 2¾in. (7cm.) overall
Literature: Higton, H: Sundials, A Portable History, Philip Wilson 2001, p.101
£500-800
162 additional images online at
www.charlesmillerltd.com
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