Page 1

Dialogue

News and correspondence from other sundial societies and journals, including De Zonnewijzerkring and La Busca de Paper. Topics include hybrid and double hybrid dials, Catalan literature, meridian models, and observations on historic illustrations and publications.

Page 4

The Ambassadors

A deep exploration of Holbein’s painting 'The Ambassadors', interpreting its rich symbolism, especially the dialling instruments depicted. The article covers the painting’s history, the identities of the subjects, and technical discussion of the dials, torquetum, and polyhedral sundial shown.
Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials

Charles K. Aked

Page 12

Portable Dials – Altitude and Celestial

An illustrated survey of various historical portable sundials that use altitude and celestial methods for timekeeping. Examples include pillar dials, Regiomontanus dials, navicula, scaphe dials, and quadrants, with details on their materials, construction, and principles of operation.
Dials: Portable, Historical Dials

John Moore

Page 18

The Cooke Heliochronometer

A description of the Cooke Heliochronometer, an accurate sundial capable of giving clock time, including its principle of operation, advantages over traditional dials, and its place in the development of precision timekeeping instruments.
Dials: Heliochronometer

Allan A. Mills

Page 19

Chalice Dials

An overview of dials shaped like chalices, often used in ceremonial contexts or churches. The article discusses their optical characteristics, historical references, and functional design when filled with water for increased visibility.
Dials: Scaphe

Allan A. Mills

Page 26

You Only Live Twice

Explains why travellers who cross the "International Date line" in mid-Pacific will lose a day going West or have the same day over again going East.

René J. Vinck

Page 27

A Large Translucent Universal Equatorial Sundial

A technical and descriptive account of a large equatorial sundial made from translucent materials, designed for broad geographic usability and visual impact, including discussion of its structure and application.
Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Unusual

Maurice Kenn

Page 29

The Art of Dialling, by John Briggs

The seventh book in the 17th Century 'Mariner's Magazine' is on dialling and is entitled "The Art of Dialling by a Gnomonical Scale, and likewise by Calculation; Making all Sorts of Dials both without doors and within, upon any Wall, Ceiling, or Floor, be they never so Irregular, wheresoever the Direct of Reflect Beams of the Sun may come.

Page 33

North Declining Vertical Dials

An analysis of the challenges and methods for designing sundials on north-declining vertical surfaces, with trigonometric solutions and practical tips for layout and correction.
Dials: Vertical

Peter J. Meadows

Page 35

Fundials

A creative examination of 'fundials', a whimsical category of dials built with humour, novelty, or playfulness in mind. The piece blends observation and storytelling with examples.
Dials: Unusual

J. P. Lester

Page 37

Keeping Track of the Sun

A general article reflecting on the methods and motivations behind tracking solar time.

H. R. Mills

Page 39

The Life and Times of a Hardy Sundial

A biography of a sundial that has endured over time, detailing its installation, wear, weathering, restoration efforts, and its symbolic place in the landscape or community.
Historical Dials

John Moir

Page 41

The Story of Mrs. Gatty

An account of the life and writings of Margaret Gatty, a 19th-century author and sundial enthusiast. It covers her influence on mottoes and moral reflections expressed in dial inscriptions.
Mottoes

David A. Young