Accession No

6381

Brief Description

McFarlane’s Calculating Cylinder, Scottish, circa 1835

Origin

Glasgow; Scotland; United Kingdom

Maker

McFarlane

Class

mathematics; calculating

Earliest Date

Latest Date

Inscription Date

Material

wood (lignum vitae and one other); paper (varnished)

Dimensions

Length: 152mm; diameter: 58mm.

Special Collection

Provenance

Purchased from Bonham’s Auction House, Kinghtsbridge, Montpelier St., London, SW7 1HH, on or before 01/04/2010.

Inscription

McFARLANE’S
Calculating Cylinder
GLASGOW.

Description Notes

Paper-covered cylinder in three parts, sub-divided into six columns; turned lignum vitae ends attached to a central rod.

This instrument is a ‘ready reckoner’ in the form of a cylindrical slide rule.Performs various financial calcuations, having to do with interest etc.

Condition: good (the varnished paper is yellowed, with six or seven small stains; the third part of the cylinder does not turn freely on the central rod [the central part is affixed and is not meant to turn]; the screw threads on the lignum vitae ends are worn). Complete.

References

Events