Accession No

0600

Brief Description

equatorial instrument, by W. and S. Jones, English, 1800 (c)

Origin

England; London; Holborn

Maker

W. and S. Jones

Class

astronomy

Earliest Date

1800

Latest Date

1800

Inscription Date

Material

metal (brass); glass; wood; paper

Dimensions

box height 395mm; breadth 197mm; depth 192mm

Special Collection

Robert Whipple collection

Provenance

Purchased from T.H. Court 01/03/1930.

Inscription

‘W. &. S. Jones Holborn London’ ()

Description Notes

Portable universal equatorial instrument or ‘Portable Observatory’, brass. Telescope with doublet object glass in brass cell, brass cover, mount for cross-hairs (wires missing), 2 lens eyepiece, push focus, screw-on shade. Telescope pivots concentrically with declination arc along with central-zero vernier and knurled clamping screw. Declination arc divided 105˚ - 0 - 105˚, subdivided to 1˚, mounted on ring with bubble level (different lacquer) and inclined arm supporting declination arc. Ring rotates on right ascension circle, divided to 1˚ and marked in hours I - XII twice, with clamp and tangent screws and type-B vernier Right ascenscion circle carried by latitude arc, divided 100˚ - 0 - 105˚, subdivided to 1˚ clamp by knurled screw, centre-zero vernier. Two small screw restrict travel of latitude arc which pivots on semi-pillar stand mounted, with 2 bubble levels, on horizontal circle, divided 0 - 90˚ - 0 - 90˚ - 0, subdivided to 1˚, centre-zero vernier and clamping screw moved by lever. Flat tribrach base with 3 levelling screws.
Wooden box which includes an original (?) label attached to handle reading ‘Theodolite: W & S Jones: No. 600’.

Condition of brass instrument good; slight tarnish and some surface scratches.
Wooden box is in fair condition.

References

Events