January 1997 page 16
John Moore

Portable Dials - Care and Restoration

Practical guidance on cleaning, conserving, and restoring portable sundials, including brass, silver, and ivory examples. Covers safe cleaning methods, corrosion prevention, protective coatings, and storage recommendations to preserve both functionality and historical integrity.
Historical Dials, Restoration projects

April 1997 page 2
John Moore

Portable Dials, Starting a Collection

An in-depth guide to beginning a collection of portable sundials, discussing types from wooden diptychs to Butterfield dials, with practical advice on acquisition, authenticity, and the joy of collecting these intricate timekeepers.
Dials: Portable

June 1996 page 16
John Moore

Portable Dials - Accessories

Examines the features and design variations of historical portable sundials, discussing integrated instruments, storage cases, and accessories like compasses and perpetual calendars.
Dialling Tools, Dials: Portable, Historical Dials

October 1996 page 2
John Moore

Portable Dials - Miscellany

A concluding article in a series about portable dials, detailing lesser-known types such as inclining dials, universal dials, compass dials, cube dials, and novelty items like walking stick dials, with historical context and examples.
Dials: Cube, Dials: Portable, Historical Dials

February 1995 page 9
John Moore

The London Dialmakers

An extensive account of portable sundial makers active in London from the 16th to 19th centuries, including guild affiliations, types of dials made, and notable individuals with examples of their work.
Dials: Portable, Historical Dials

June 1995 page 4
John Moore

Portable Dials - Art and Decoration

A richly illustrated exploration of the decorative aspects of portable sundials, focusing on French and English craftsmanship, including engravings, ivory work, and use of precious metals and symbolic imagery.
Dials: Portable, Historical Dials

October 1995 page 12
John Moore

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

February 1994 page 3
John Moore

The Ivory Diptych Dial - Part 2

In-depth examination of historical ivory diptych sundials, particularly from Nuremberg and Dieppe, their markings, functions, and astrological and calendrical components.
Dials: Portable, Historical Dials

June 1994 page 11
John Moore

Ring Dials

A comprehensive study of three classic types of ring dials: poke dials, equinoctial ring dials, and astronomical ring dials. The article examines their mechanical function, historical development, geographical usage, and craftsmanship, with detailed illustrations and commentary on their strengths and limitations in practical sundialling.
Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Portable, Historical Dials

October 1994 page 14
John Moore

The Augsburg Dials

This article explores the history and characteristics of sundials produced in Augsburg, Germany, particularly from the 17th century onwards. It notes Augsburg's reputation for metalworking and clockmaking, which influenced the development of ornate and complicated early sundials. The article describes the mass production of "universal equinoctial dials" from around 1700, their common design, and the incorporation of compasses and latitude lists for European towns. It also highlights finer versions made by Johann Martin and Johann Willebrand, including unique "crescent dials" and "string gnomon dials," and provides a list of known Augsburg sundial makers.
Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Portable, Historical Dials

October 1993 page 16
John Moore

The Ivory Diptych Dial - Part I

This article discusses the history and characteristics of ivory diptych dials, originating in the 15th-16th centuries from places like Dieppe and Nuremberg. It describes their construction, materials (often ivory or bone), built-in compasses, and typical markings for various faces, noting how magnetic declination aids dating and distinguishing authentic dials from modern replicas or forgeries.
Dials: Portable, Historical Dials

June 1992 page 17
John Moore

Portable Dials - An Introduction

This introduction to portable sundials describes them as early pocket watches, popular in sunnier regions of Europe, offering an affordable alternative to unreliable mechanical watches. It covers various designs, materials, and geographical manufacturing centres like London, Paris, Dieppe, Augsburg, and Nuremburg. The article also discusses their alignment aids, particularly magnetic compasses, and dating by magnetic variation.
Dials: Portable, Historical Dials

October 1992 page 18
John Moore

Portable Dials - The Butterfield Style

This article describes the popular "Butterfield Dial," named after Michael Butterfield of Paris (c. 1700), though the design's origin might be English. Typically octagonal, silver or brass, with a bird-supported gnomon and built-in compass, it was a decorative status symbol for international travellers. Despite criticism for its small compass and cluttered face, it remained popular, inspiring many copies and variations.
Dials: Portable, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout