Accession No
6578
Brief Description
pre-production model of ‘The Oxford Astrolabe’, designed by C. F. Jenkin, English, 1925
Origin
England; Oxford
Maker
Jenkin, C. F. [designer and possible maker]
Class
astronomy
Earliest Date
1925
Latest Date
1925
Inscription Date
1925
Material
Metal (aluminium, brass); paper; plastic (celluloid)
Dimensions
295mm (height) x 230mm (width) x 1mm (depth)
Special Collection
Provenance
Donated by an individual on or before 29/09/2014.
Inscription
“THE OXFORD ASTROLABE
Designed after the Persian,
Moorish and European instruments
in the
Old Ashmolean Museum, Oxford
Description Notes
Pre-production model of ‘The Oxford Astrolabe’, designed by C. F. Jenkin, English, 1925.
Paper and celluloid astrolabe mounted on aluminium, designed by C. F. Jenkin. Missing alidade and transparent rete; formerly the property of Derek de Solla Price. Paper very discoloured, metal ring rusting and all metal is tarnished. Pre-production model - missing the maker’s name. Includes photocopy of accompanying instruction booklet, ‘The Astrolabe: Its Construction and Use’, by C. F. Jenkin (see OHF).
Condition: Good/fair, incomplete.
References
Events
Description
This purpose-built astrolabe was designed by Charles Frewen Jenkin and mass-produced by W. Watson & Sons in 1925. Made of metal, paper and plastic, this astrolabe was one of the first to make use of modern materials to improve the practical use of the astrolabe, making this an effective educational tool. This pre-production model is missing a rete, alidade, and the maker’s name, and was owned by the eminent historian of science Derek de Solla Price.
11/03/2015
Created by: Rosanna Evans on 11/03/2015
FM:47093
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