Accession No
6151
Brief Description
‘Lunatellus’, a geared planetary model, by John Davis, U.S.A, 1869 (c); with Elements of Astronomy, by J. Davis, [1869]
Origin
U.S.A.; Pennsylvania; Pittsburgh
Maker
John Davis
Class
astronomy
Earliest Date
1867
Latest Date
1870
Inscription Date
Material
Metal (brass, steel); wood; paper
Dimensions
height: 695mm; depth: 330mm (approx.); width (base): 555mm
Special Collection
Provenance
Purchased from Skinner’s Auction House, Boston, via Trevor Philip & Sons on or before 06/08/2007.
Inscription
J. Davis, Pittsburgh, PA.
Patentee, December 24th, 1867, and October 27th, 1868.
LARGE LUNATELLUS.
Description Notes
6151.1: “Lunatellus” planetary model. Cast iron tripod base; brass column supporting a large metal drum; printed instructions for use on reverse, with crank handle; printed zodiac circle; large sun globe; geared arm carrying 12-gore paper covered metal earth and moon globes.
6151.2: J. Davis, Elements of Astronomy (Pittsburgh: Davis & Woods, [1869]).
Condition. 6151.1: fair (complete); The brass column is heavily tarnished; the paper labels on both sides of the drum are badly marked; the sun globe is dented; the gearing mechanism for the earth and moon is broken; the earth is chipped and worn. 6151.2: good; cloth covers worn and slightly dirty; damp staining to prelims.
cog, screw and fixing from gearing mechanism from the earth and moon have detached (09/07/2018)
References
Events
Description
Lunatellus is mechanized planetary model that illustrates the motions of the Sun, Earth and Moon. The Earth shows the geography of the planet and is represented by a five-inch globe that rotates around the poles. The globe can be detached from the gear mechanism and placed on a stand for separate study. Gears in the arms that carry the Earth and Moon are calibrated to demonstrate elliptical orbits as well as retrograde movements. During the nineteenth century, teaching aids and models such as this example were increasing used in the classroom to demonstrate scientific principles to students.
17/03/2014
Created by: Allison Ksiazkiewicz on 17/03/2014
FM:46616
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