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Horizontal Dial with Thermometer, by T. Staight, London, Mid-19th Century

Inventory Number 37175

Acknowledgement: © History of Science Museum, University of Oxford, inv.37175

Item type
Object
Provenance
Not ascertained.
Primary inscriptions
"T. Staight, London" [engraved on compass and hour dial]. On the underside is written in ink "August 1847".
Other inscriptions
On the underside, in a variety of hands is also written "9606 CHI-I", "Nd17" (?) and "39 sdfi [?]"
Physical material
Ivory
paper and brass
Object type
Horizontal dial
Dimensions
Diameter: 128mm Height: 28mm Weight: 173g
Inventory No
37175
Accession Number
?1944-15

Description

Circular ivorine plate with curved mercury thermometer (bulb broken off) carrying Fahrenheit and Reaumur scales. The thermometer surrounds a raised decorative central circle, within which is a paper ring with printed place names from around the world (LONDON to Tolaga Bay New Zealand and Eaoowee to Edinburgh). This gives a scale of time difference when read against the hour scale on the circumference of the central pivoted paper dial with brass gnomon, and on which are printed the points of the compass and the hour lines. The whole in a leather circular case with white silk padding in the lid.

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