Accession No

6485

Brief Description

Celestial planisphere, ‘Transparent Astrarium’ by Thomas Elton, with accompanying booklet, English, 1819

Origin

London; England

Maker

Thomas Elton

Class

astronomy; demonstration

Earliest Date

1819

Latest Date

1819

Inscription Date

Material

wood; paper; glass

Dimensions

255mm (height)

Special Collection

Provenance

Purchased from Bonham’s Knightsbridge, Montpelier Street, London, SW7 1HH. Lot number 92, Fine Mechanical Music and Scientific Instruments, Wednesday 3/10/2010.

Inscription

Description Notes

Celestial planisphere, ‘Transparent Astrarium’ by Thomas Elton, with accompanying booklet, English, 1819.

Wooden casing with four brass feet; hinged glass front with four brass florets to the corners; sliding rear panel reveals the paper planisphere with a turned wooden handle. Display consists of an hour-scale marked VI–XII–VI, marked “Morn.” and “Even.”; above this the a date-scale on the planisphere is visible, divided to 5 days. The planisphere is printed with illustrations of the constellations; all the stars are marked with pin-holes; the planisphere rotates around the north pole, marked “N.P.”

Accompanying booklet: T. Elton, Elucidation of the Transparent Astrarium: An Attempt to facilitate and promote in the youthful mind, a knowledge of the Fixed Stars, shewing their relative places and situtions in the heavens: and the times of their Rising, Southing, and Setting; Whereby, the heavens may be contemplated with ease and advantage as well as with admiration and delight. Intended as a Companion to the Transparent Orrery, Dedicated to Deane F. Walker, Esq. (London: Published by T. Gardine and Son..., 1819). pp. 25, ads, folding plate.

Condition: good; complete (booklet worn, spine missing).

References

Events