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Historical Dials
March 2023
Page 9
Page 9
Focuses on a multiple cube/prism dial (SRN 3416) at Powis Castle, identified via a c.1955 Frith’s postcard. The structure is composed of a stone cube dial mated with a Henry Wynne double horizontal dial. It lists south, east, and west vertical dials alongside the double horizontal component.
Dials: Cube, Dials: Double Horizontal, Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials
March 2023
Page 10
Page 10
A summary of the 51 new finds added to the Fixed Dial Register in 2022, increasing the record count to 7,781. Highlights include a Falklands memorial dial, a French Noon Cannon, two Francis Barker instruments, and the largest vertical dial (Piers Nicholson’s in Fleet Street).
Dials: Analemmatic, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
March 2023
Page 18
Page 18
Recounts sightings of four sundials during an archaeological tour. These include an IX–XI century sun clock from Mogila, an ancient sundial of Marcianopolis, a 2nd–3rd century A.D. marble dial in Varna, and a damaged 1878 dial located on the southwest corner of the Dzhumaya Mosque in Plovdiv.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
March 2023
Page 24
Page 24
A note identifying a heavily weathered vertical sundial over a doorway at Clarks Village, Street, Somerset. The dial is made of Blue Lias, dated 1811, and the gnomon appears original. The author expresses interest in making a like-for-like replacement.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
June 2023
Page 2
Page 2
Details the discovery of an ivory horary quadrant by Oronce Fine, dated 1518, designed for 48° 30ʹ latitude. The quadrant features straight hour lines and an elaborate carved leather case bearing the coat of arms of Michel Boudet, Fine’s protector. It is noted as being remarkably similar to the quadrant seen in Holbein’s "Les Ambassadeurs".
Dials: Portable, Mathematics of Dialling, Dialling Tools, Historical Dials
June 2023
Page 9
Page 9
Discusses a postcard featuring a horizontal sundial at Battle Abbey, East Sussex, the historic site of the Battle of Hastings. The postcard, identified as a Valentine’s “Sepiatype” Series with number 95078, is estimated to date from the mid to late 1920s, likely January 1928, and the dial is unrecorded in the Fixed Dial Register.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
June 2023
Page 10
Page 10
Describes three historic Norwegian sundials (Giske Church Mass Dial, Kråkvåg Horizontal Sundial, Mandal Horizontal Sundial) demonstrating the use of octaval hours (eight parts of the day) and unequal hours (15 degrees). The study details how the octaval system gave way to unequal hours during a transition period, and uses compass history to estimate ages.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials, How Sundials Work
June 2023
Page 16
Page 16
Comprehensive report on the BSS Exeter Conference talks, including subjects such as scratch dials, the Taormina Heliochronometer, the Queens’ Dial, the Equation of Time, Francis Line’s pyramid dial, and polyhedral dials (Somerville Memorial Lecture). The report also covers the social events, including a garden visit and the Gala Dinner.
Dials: Multi Faced, Equation of Time, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
June 2023
Page 24
Page 24
Investigates a distinctive group of early stone horizontal sundials in the former county of Flintshire, North Wales, dating from 1588 to 1637. These dials are characterised by having hour lines carved directly into the surface of the stone pillar (likely Gwespyr stone) and may be derived from cut-down churchyard crosses.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
June 2023
Page 28
Page 28
Describes the discovery and subsequent conservation of a damaged octagonal copper-alloy sundial at Ledston Hall. The inscription "Antonius Thompson Fecit" and the Lewis coat of arms indicate it was made by Anthony Thompson between 1653 and 1665, commissioned by Sir John Lewis, then owner of the Hall.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
June 2023
Page 30
Page 30
Examines 3rd and 4th-century Roman mosaics from the Hatay Archaeological Museum, Antakya, which humorously depict public sundials. The scenes show caricaturised guests rushing to dinner or attempting to vandalize the dial for being late, confirming both the Roman use of public dials and the existence of early vandalism.
Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
June 2023
Page 31
Page 31
Revisits Sir Samuel Morland's 1689 pamphlet promoting his non-extant "Poor Man’s Dyal." Analysis suggests it was a modest, four-inch diameter horizontal dial, possibly pewter or brass, sold with an instrument for establishing the East-West line, reflecting Morland’s efforts to raise funds through inexpensive items.
Dialling Tools, Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
September 2023
Page 2
Page 2
Analyzes the Erfurt rule, a medieval method for designing south-facing wall sundials, found in a 15th–16th-century codex owned by Fra Giocondo of Verona. It discusses the rule's origins (Paris/Germany, c. 1334), its non-empirical numerical angular values for temporal hours, and its later modification to suit equal equinoctial hours.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
September 2023
Page 9
Page 9
Examines the Li-Lo Suncompass, a floating compass dial made in Great Britain in the mid-1940s, possibly the last of iteration of its type. It discusses its plastic construction, dual time scales (Winter Time and Summer Time), the Li-Lo brand's history (owned by P.B. Cow & Co.), and its origin as the German 'Rüter Uhr' developed in 1945.
Dials: Portable, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
September 2023
Page 11
Page 11
Discusses a postcard, likely dating from the early 1960s, featuring a horizontal sundial (likely SRN 5883) at Oaklands House, Sedlescombe. The dial, made by Joseph McNally in 1840, is notable for having small dials showing times for Jerusalem, New York, Natchez and “Sidney”.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials
September 2023
Page 18
Page 18
Details the history, design, and use of the Norwegian L’Abée-Lund Uhrkompas, patented in 1914. This brass, portable instrument was marketed using the figure of a red ant and includes scales for determining time based on solar azimuth, corrected for magnetic declination, longitude (8¾° east), and Equation of Time for a design latitude of 60° north.
Dials: Portable, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
September 2023
Page 26
Page 26
Investigates a heavy, pewter portable horizontal dial medallion, initially thought to be silver, dated “1707” with a gnomon angle of 38°. XRF analysis confirmed it as lead-heavy pewter. Detective work revealed the reverse side used a modified die from an 1855 Paris Exposition Universelle medal, making the 1707 date false.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Portable, Historical Dials
September 2023
Page 33
Page 33
Reports on two Hellenistic sundial fragments observed in an exhibition in Rhodes Town. One fragment, about 30 cm across, is made of Pentelic marble and is split along the noon line. The second, much smaller fragment (6-7 cm across), may suggest use in a private home.
Historical Dials
December 2023
Page 2
Page 2
This article analyses and describes the restoration of a rare double horizontal sundial signed by George Cooke, an apprentice of Elias Allen, dating to ca. 1645–47. Geometric analysis determines the design latitude as 53º N, and XRF analysis confirms the use of lower quality brass, suggesting it was possibly a 'master-piece' or early instrument.
Dials: Double Horizontal, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
December 2023
Page 12
Page 12
A survey of various Scottish sundials featuring the Scots proverb motto “Tak tent o’ time Ere time be tint For time will no remain,” translating to “Make the most of our time as we don’t know how long we have.” Examples include armillary spheres, multi-faced dials, and vertical dials.
Dials: Armillary Sphere, Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials, Mottoes
December 2023
Page 17
Page 17
This note examines a stained-glass window in St Margaret’s Church, Rottingdean, designed by Edward Burne-Jones (1897), which depicts King Hezekiah holding the ‘Dial of Ahaz’, referenced in II Kings 20:11 and Isaiah 38:8.
Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
December 2023
Page 18
Page 18
A study of a robust 10-inch square horizontal brass dial signed by Hill & Price of Bristol (working 1842–83). The dial exhibits idiosyncratic provincial features, such as delineation errors for 'back hours' and the use of brass produced by the cementation technique, despite signs of modern manufacturing.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2023
Page 20
Page 20
Part 1 of an analysis tracing the evolution of Italian hours (counting from sunset, ab occasu solis) from the ancient unequal hours, noting the influence of mechanical tower clocks in the mid-fourteenth century. It discusses how Italian hours contrasted with Babylonian (ab ortu solis) and Nuremberg hours, addressing historical confusion surrounding ‘Bohemian hours’.
Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2023
Page 28
Page 28
Describes an interesting and possibly unique equatorial sundial acquired by Annie Wright, signed "Whitehurst" "Derby" and "1761" (Lat: 53D: 00M). The dial features two centres of delineation, hour lines marked from 4 am to 8 pm, solstice lines on the gnomon, and some engraving errors.
Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Portable, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2023
Page 37
Page 37
An extensive report detailing the annual BSS Newbury meeting. Topics covered included the Oronce Fine Quadrant, Isle of Wight dials, methods for finding True North, the Sundial Atlas, John Lester's obituary, unusual scratch dials, a London sundial walk, and updates on the Hythe 'Undial' and BSS governance challenges.
Dialling Tools, Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling, The BSS and Members
December 2023
Page 44
Page 44
A discussion of a postcard, dated no later than 1906, showing Maud Heath’s Monument (SRN 0401), a stone square pillar from 1698 featuring a three-faced cube dial and multiple mottoes, which was repaired after being damaged in 1996.
Dials: Cube, Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials, Mottoes
March 2022
Page 2
Page 2
An analysis of a unique 17th-century pocket compass dial (MT-1838) from the Lviv Historical Museum, dedicated to Jerzy Ossoliński and designed by Oswald Krüger in 1644. It features both horizontal and azimuthal scales. The author and associates created two functional replicas for customers in Ukraine, adapting the design for modern latitudes.
Construction Projects, Dials: Portable, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
March 2022
Page 8
Page 8
Description of a brass sundial (c. 1658–1693) made by clockmaker William Holloway of Stroud. It is provincial in style, featuring crude engraving and an incorrect replacement gnomon angle of 54.5°. Holloway's workshop location still stands in Stroud.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, Restoration projects, Sundial Design & Layout
March 2022
Page 14
Page 14
Examination of four ancient obelisk sundials located near the West Coast of Scotland, following descriptions by Thomas Ross. Sites include Ballindalloch, Lochgoilhead, Asknish House, and Mount Stuart. It also reports on the rediscovery of the mutilated Ardgowan lectern sundial and describes a cube dial at Ardgowan.
Dials: Cube, Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
March 2022
Page 20
Page 20
Analysis of a postcard featuring a simple horizontal sundial located next to the Boating Lake in the Great Yarmouth Venetian Waterways. Although the waterways were restored recently, the sundial appears to have vanished or was not repaired, as suggested by earlier photos showing a missing gnomon.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
March 2022
Page 21
Page 21
A collection of three letters: John Wilson reports on the theft of a Gunning heliochronometer from Belvoir Castle. Irene Brightmer investigates whether the maker of her 1812 slate dial, Griffith Dafydd, is the same person as Griffith Davies FRS, maker of a prize-winning 1820 dial. Kevin Karney provides a correction on the naming of his 'spider dial'.
Dials: Heliochronometer, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
March 2022
Page 26
Page 26
A historical account and description of the 2021 reconstruction project of the horizontal sundial for the Monplaisir Palace at Peterhof, residence of Peter the Great. The new marble dial, with a gilded bronze gnomon, was installed in the location of the lost 18th-century predecessor. The article also touches on Peterhof's museum collection, including a 1715 John Rowley dial.
Construction Projects, Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
March 2022
Page 32
Page 32
An analysis of the unusual longitude inscription found on the St Mark’s, Longwood dial. By comparison with the Hawkshead dial, it is concluded that the inscription refers to the 'Plane’s Longitude,' which defines the longitude where the dial could be used horizontally, and is numerically equal to the hour angle between the substyle and noon lines.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
March 2022
Page 33
Page 33
A cautionary article detailing how to spot fake antique sundials, using an octagonal dial signed 'I Myatt Bath fecit / 1745' as a case study. Despite good engraving, clues like the unusual 'holey' gnomon and XRF tests showing 20th-century brass reveal it to be a modern, well-produced deception.
Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
March 2022
Page 34
Page 34
Description of a unique portable, universal cross dial made by Samuel Porter, a London mathematical instrument maker (c. 1824). The dial, found in a clearance, features a pivoted cross for latitude setting, a 16-point compass, spirit levels, and an Equation of Time table printed inside the lid.
Dialling Tools, Dials: Portable, Equation of Time, Historical Dials
March 2022
Page 36
Page 36
A review of Denis Savoie's comprehensive book, Une Histoire des Cadrans Solaire en Occident. La gnomonique du Moyen Âge au XXe siècle. The book covers the history and development of gnomonics in the West from the Middle Ages through to the 20th century, and is well-illustrated.
Book Reviews, Historical Dials
June 2022
Page 2
Page 2
This article explores cornice or 'hat' sundials found across Europe, focusing on their unique design where time is indicated by the shadow of a curved cornice or set of styles. It details several examples, locations, construction dates, and conservation recommendations for these historically interesting and unusual dials.
Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2022
Page 8
Page 8
A portable diptych sundial made of animal bone, recovered during excavation in Cambridge, is assessed. It is estimated to be a 17th-century continental import, likely French or German, based on design flourishes and the latitude (48°) for which it was calculated. The dial uses a missing string gnomon and features a horizontal leaf with a compass box.
Dials: Portable, Historical Dials
June 2022
Page 9
Page 9
A brief entry noting a replica of a Roman portable sundial created by Vsevolod Buravchenko for the Chairman. Further design analysis is directed toward a previous Bulletin article published in 2015.
Construction Projects, Dials: Portable, Historical Dials
June 2022
Page 10
Page 10
Continuing the series following Thomas Ross, this article examines nine sundials documented in his work on Scottish ecclesiastical architecture. It details the current condition, location, and history of dials found mostly on church walls or associated structures like lych-gates, including cubes and verticals, often noting signs of wear or required restoration.
Dials: Cube, Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
June 2022
Page 18
Page 18
This note records the finding of a previously unlisted sundial on the York Deanery grounds during the BSS conference tour. The current 'Sunny Hours' dial sits on a fine pedestal and appears to be a replacement for a five-ring armillary dial recorded there in 2001.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members, Dials: Armillary Sphere
June 2022
Page 18
Page 18
A discussion of the Prestbury St Peter’s Church sundial (SRN 0149), based on a 1923 postcard. The dial, a Grade II Listed Building, originated in 1672 and was improved in 1771, though its gnomon is noted as missing.
Dials: Horizontal, Restoration projects, Historical Dials
June 2022
Page 19
Page 19
An investigation into the history of Sir Walter Scott’s sundial at Abbotsford and its American replica at Hillside, Menands, NY. The research establishes a probable link through publisher David Douglas and Dean Sage, concluding the replica is likely a copy of a refurbished replacement dial from the mid-19th century, not the original 1812 installation.
Historical Dials, Restoration projects
June 2022
Page 26
Page 26
This section presents a selection of over 30 new reports added to the Register in 2021. Noteworthy entries include several 17th-century church verticals, three newly identified makers, a large azimuth dial, and examples featuring advanced concepts like 'Plane’s Longitude' or unusual shapes like sliced spheres.
Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
June 2022
Page 33
Page 33
A report detailing the proceedings of the BSS Annual Conference held in York. It summarises various talks covering topics like displaying the Equation of Time, the historical San Petronio Meridiana, John Goodricke’s astronomy, sundial design using 3D point clouds, and the changing professional trades of sundial makers in the British Isles.
Equation of Time, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout, The BSS and Members
September 2022
Page 2
Page 2
Updates the known catalogue of 18th-century mathematical instrument maker Thomas Wright’s horizontal dials, increasing the count to 27. Provides details, metallurgy, and provenance for recently examined examples, including the Old Warden dial, the Wrexham dial, and the Lisbon College dial (now at Ushaw College).
Dials: Horizontal, Equation of Time, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
September 2022
Page 15
Page 15
Examines a postcard featuring the dial on The Picket House in Royal Square, St Helier, Jersey (SRN 4509). The dial was made by local mapmaker Elias Le Gros, declines to the west and features both Arabic and Roman numerals.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
September 2022
Page 16
Page 16
The final instalment tracing the sundials catalogued by Scottish architect Thomas Ross (1839–1930). Recounts the author's search for a rediscovery of the sundial at Magdalen Chapel, Edinburgh, and the examination of Ross's personal annotated copy of The Castellated and Domestic Architecture of Scotland.
Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials
September 2022
Page 21
Page 21
Continues a visual tour of European corniced sundials, detailing six more ‘hat’ types, such as the Serramazzoni dial (Italy) and the Marian Column (Germany). Also introduces dials with curved cornices, highlighted by the enormous Castillon Dam sundial (France), the largest dial in the world.
Construction Projects, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
September 2022
Page 26
Page 26
Documents the identification of a previously unrecorded Early Christian monastic dial at Molua graveyard, Co. Limerick. These stone dials, characteristic of 7th–10th century Ireland, were used by monks to regulate times for canonical prayers.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials
September 2022
Page 34
Page 34
A summary of recent international research into medieval sundials. Highlights the Fachkreis Sonnenuhren database (696 German objects) and debates whether scratch dials are pilgrim symbols. Mentions new findings on medieval texts describing unequal-hour sundials and the construction of polar style dials.
How Sundials Work, Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials
September 2022
Page 36
Page 36
Provides a historical account of the magnificent pyramidal and multiform dial set up by Father Hall in Whitehall's Privy Garden in 1669. Cites a German traveller's journal, noting that the dial was seen in ruins in July 1710, which is the last known sighting of the contraption.
Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials
September 2022
Page 38
Page 38
Investigates the sundials at The Waterways in Great Yarmouth after its £2.7 M restoration. Describes the replacement of two historical dials with new horizontal dials, likely made by Brad Dillon, featuring inscriptions related to writers Anna Sewell and Charles Dickens.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
December 2022
Page 8
Page 8
Report on the BSS Newbury meeting held shortly after the Queen's death, covering various talks including the French Republican calendar, Kings Langley Human Sundial, The Wonder Box Sundial, and several sundial restoration and creation projects.
Dials: Portable, Historical Dials, Restoration projects, The BSS and Members
December 2022
Page 14
Page 14
Follow-up to a previous article, suggesting the dial seen by Uffenbach in 1710 was likely the remains of Gunter’s great stone horizontal sundial (originally 1622) rather than the fragile, short-lived pyramidal dial by Francis Hall.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials
December 2022
Page 16
Page 16
Research into the 18th-century Welsh dial maker, Meredith Hughes, a land surveyor and scientist. Describes his five known dials, including two complex ones incorporating the Equation of Time and geographical features, possibly outsourced for engraving.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual, Equation of Time, Historical Dials
December 2022
Page 22
Page 22
Follow-up article suggesting the previously discussed small Belgian altitude dial is a rare Hevelius dial, possibly a unique wooden example using the time of sunrise as a proxy for solar declination. Analysis shows deliberate geometric simplification in its layout.
Dials: Portable, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2022
Page 24
Page 24
A photograph of a misaligned sundial located in the garden of the Klaeuwshofje, a courtyard of almshouses in Delft, Netherlands, founded in 1605.
Historical Dials, Dials: Armillary Sphere
December 2022
Page 25
Page 25
Explores 18th-century printed tables intended for travellers to estimate time using solar altitude and a divided walking stick. The calculations were based on Julian calendar dates and approximated the latitude of Coventry, prioritising simplicity over accuracy.
Dialling Tools, Dials: Portable, Historical Dials
December 2022
Page 28
Page 28
Discusses a postcard featuring the smoke from Le Petit Canon in the Palais Royal, Paris. This noon cannon, produced by M. Rousseau, was placed on the Meridian Line of Paris in 1796 to help people check their watches.
Historical Dials, Dials: Noon Lines
December 2022
Page 30
Page 30
Examines a rare lead disc found by a metal detectorist, which is 78mm in diameter. The design, featuring equi-angular spots, suggests it may be a portable unequal-hour mass dial designed for a rod gnomon.
Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Portable, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
December 2022
Page 30
Page 30
Suggests interpretations for the terms "Areis" and "Stylis" mentioned by Uffenbach regarding the Whitehall dial. Areis might refer to the dial ground or open space, and Stylis to the gnomons.
Historical Dials
December 2022
Page 31
Page 31
Investigates three Scandinavian dials: the reworked Tingvoll Church Mass Dial (Norway, ca. 1200/1660-70), the ivory Falsterbo sundial (Sweden, ca. 1500), and the soapstone Vardøhus Sundial (Norway, 16th/17th C), discussing octaval and unequal hours.
Dials: Vertical, Dials: Portable, Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials
December 2022
Page 35
Page 35
Account of a three-week sundial safari in Hobart, Tasmania. Examines several dials including the Transit of Venus commemorative dial and a complex mechanism at UTAS. Ends with discovery of the 'Sundial Sea Shell'.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
December 2022
Page 40
Page 40
Brief description of a small portable dial made by Charlemagne Viet (fl. 1673-95) in Blois, France. It features two polar dials and a folding arc to set the latitude for 16 listed cities.
Dials: Polar, Dials: Portable, Historical Dials
March 2021
Page 17
Page 17
The author discusses finding a replica of a 1690 Thos Tompion dial at Kew Gardens. He notes that the engraved Equation of Time table is inaccurate for modern dates because it faithfully reproduces the original pre-Gregorian calendar data, leading to an 11-day shift in the zero crossing date.
Equation of Time, Historical Dials
March 2021
Page 18
Page 18
Details the 2018 restoration of the 1890 Kinloch Anderson sundial, a 2.5-metre pillar in Inverleith Park. The work included correcting the sundial's 180° wrong orientation, cleaning the marble dials, simulating lead lines with coloured epoxy, and installing new gilded brass gnomons.
Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
March 2021
Page 22
Page 22
A short note highlighting a 1747 engraving of Penshurst Place in Kent which depicts two horizontal sundials. Neither of these dials is present today, though the location features a multiple stone dial and a modern vertical dial.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
March 2021
Page 23
Page 23
An analysis of various Masonic symbols found decorating sundials, building upon material left by the late Jill Wilson. It describes the use of the square and compasses, the Eye of Providence, pillars, and other emblems on dials, ranging from ancient mason's marks to later 'antique' and custom-made pieces.
Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, Mottoes, The BSS and Members
March 2021
Page 30
Page 30
Biographical details provided by the dial maker's 4x great-grandson. Daniel Nithsdale, alias Nistel, was a mathematical genius and a Freemason who changed his name from John following a duel. He served in the Royal Irish Artillery and later worked as a tenant farmer and schoolteacher, dying at 93.
Historical Dials
March 2021
Page 31
Page 31
An investigation into the maker of a horizontal brass dial (1907) from 'Large Acres', the home of Edward Heron-Allen. Based on the decorative features, gnomon shape, Equation of Time ring layout, and specific wording, the evidence suggests the dial was custom-made by Francis Barker & Son.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, Mottoes
March 2021
Page 36
Page 36
A reflection on the historical Admiralty sundial (1726) in Saint Petersburg, followed by humorous speculation on protecting public sundials. This includes clarifying an old image that showed a scarecrow guarding solar recording equipment from seagulls in the Isle of Wight, not a sundial.
Historical Dials
March 2021
Page 38
Page 38
Continues the analysis of Scottish sundials described by Thomas Ross, focusing on several 17th-century examples. These include three square stone vertical dials on Preston Lodge (Cupar), two identical cube sundials at Kinross House, and a diptych sundial in Alloa made by mason Tobias Baak in 1695.
Dials: Cube, Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
March 2021
Page 42
Page 42
A description of a postcard showing a vertical south dial that was once located at The Old St Stephen’s Church. The dial, featuring two dates (1864 and 1736) and multiple sets of initials, is no longer in place. The postcard itself carried a reflective motto concerning shadow and sun.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Mottoes
June 2021
Page 2
Page 2
An investigation into a rare horizontal sundial made on a re-used brass plate (a palimpsest). The reverse side reveals an earlier engraving from a memorial brass, identified as a "waster" from the Southwark workshops (c.1600). Metallurgical analysis shows the plate is made of imported high-zinc brass, and the dial's delineation matches the latitude of Southwark.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2021
Page 7
Page 7
Discusses a specific postcard from the 1908 Franco-British Exhibition in London, featuring a floral sundial in the Garden of Progress. The dial includes a prominent statue of a lady holding the gnomon. The exhibition celebrated the Entente Cordiale.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
June 2021
Page 8
Page 8
Chronicles the investigation into a horizontal sundial inherited by the author, inscribed as being found in the River Liffey in 1866 and signed "H:Sutton 1654". Analysis confirmed the design latitude matches Dublin (53.35° N), authenticating it as a work by Henry Sutton, a leading 17th-century instrument maker. Explores its provenance and possible link to the Down Survey of Ireland.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
June 2021
Page 13
Page 13
Part 35 of a series tracking dials documented by Thomas Ross, focusing on five "modern dials" (c. 19th century). The article investigates the current status of these Scottish sundials, including the missing dials at The Haining, Amisfield Castle, and Bredisholm, and detailing the surviving, unique designs at Newhall and Grange.
Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2021
Page 20
Page 20
Analyzes a highly unusual circular sundial featuring separate curved direct West and East dials. The investigation, based on numerals and a foundry mark, suggests it might be a custom-made dial by Francis Barker & Son, possibly derived from their 'Antique' model (c. 1907). Concludes the dial incorporates elements of both Art Deco and Art Nouveau styles.
Dials: Vertical, Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout, Historical Dials
June 2021
Page 31
Page 31
Provides an update identifying the location of a sundial pictured in old family photographs as Christchurch Park, Ipswich. The dial was an armillary sphere. Notes that a 2017 replacement armillary dial was stolen and replaced again by maker Robert Foster.
Restoration projects, Historical Dials, Dials: Armillary Sphere
June 2021
Page 31
Page 31
Discusses an engraving of Holme Pierrepont Hall showing a vertical south sundial on a demolished tower. Mentions a surviving horizontal sundial in the courtyard, likely dating from the late 18th or early 19th century, and requests further investigation.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
June 2021
Page 32
Page 32
The third part of the restoration series on the 1630 Drummond Castle obelisk sundial, focusing on the unique Latin scroll carving on the shaft. The article provides the corrected transcription and interpretation of the scroll, explaining how it describes the various hour types (Babylonian, Italian, Seasonal, Common) and astronomical markings (Azimuth, Altitude, Declination) found on the dial, often linking them to astrolabe terminology.
Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling, Restoration projects
June 2021
Page 36
Page 36
Discusses the content related to sundials found in Book IX of De Architectura by the Roman author Vitruvius (c. 80–15 BC). Chapter VII provides a general discussion on dialling, while Chapter VIII credits various ancient figures—including Berosus, Aristarchus, and Apollonius—with inventing different types of early dials like the Hemicyclium, Bowl, and Plinthium.
Book Reviews, Dials: Hemispherical, Historical Dials
June 2021
Page 40
Page 40
The author recounts his failure to formally register many of the approximately 215 sundials he has created since 1990, prompted by the discovery of an unrecorded dial he made at Piles Mill, Allerford (SRN 8191). Includes the transcription of a 1994 article by Hilary Binding detailing a sundial safari in West Somerset, describing the Piles Mill dial (a double-sided equatorial dial designed to look like a millstone).
Construction Projects, Dials: Equatorial, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
September 2021
Page 2
Page 2
Examines ten mosque sundials signed by al-Mansur and dated 1671–1681 AD. These instruments feature epigraphic anomalies and non-functional gnomonic layouts, including inaccurate hour lines and prayer indications. The authors conclude these sophisticated yet flawed dials are likely modern ‘fakes’.
Dials: Horizontal, Mathematics of Dialling, Historical Dials
September 2021
Page 10
Page 10
A continuation of the series following Thomas Ross, examining various sundials in the East of Scotland. Discusses the history, disappearance, and condition of dials in Hawick, Jedburgh, Ruchlaw House, Monkton House, Pitreavie (now Inveresk), Torryburn, and Cromarty.
Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Mottoes
September 2021
Page 20
Page 20
A guide to the ancient Scandinavian system of time-keeping using "áttir" (eighths of the horizon) and landmarks known as daymarks. It explains the Old Norse terminology (middag, miðnætti, undorn) and discusses why this non-numerical system was suitable for high latitudes where unequal hours were unviable.
How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling, Historical Dials
September 2021
Page 31
Page 31
Focuses on a historical postcard depicting a vertical declining sundial (SRN 5665) located on the former Royal Insurance building in Liverpool. The card belongs to the "Lewis's Series," probably issued by the Lewis's department store during the late Edwardian period.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
September 2021
Page 32
Page 32
Examines the scarcity of Welsh language inscriptions on sundials, listing and describing nine known examples. Examples include historical vertical and horizontal dials, detailing their locations (Holyhead, Penmorfa, Whitford) and mottoes, such as "Man’s life, though prolonged it may / Draws to its close by night and day".
Historical Dials, Mottoes
September 2021
Page 36
Page 36
Investigates a distinct cube sundial seen in the film "The Halfway House". The prop was a copy of the famous Madeley Court sundial. Close analysis confirmed it was a non-functional copy, likely based on a Wills’s cigarette card from 1928, and it was broken up after filming.
Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials, Dials: Cube, Dials: Scaphe
September 2021
Page 38
Page 38
Examines secular symbols used on Scandinavian sundials from the Middle Ages. Discussed symbols include the Pole Star, the Sun, a cock, and those relating to the farmer's life (like the axe). The article also analyses runic letters, such as the K-rune, used as noon marks or numerals, reflecting the mixed octaval and unequal hour systems.
Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Portable, Historical Dials
September 2021
Page 43
Page 43
A letter describing a horizontal sundial found in the courtyard garden of Holme Pierrepont Hall. The dial plate is signed "Cary, Strand, London," shows the latitude 52° 58ʹ, and includes the equation of time. The author notes the challenge in dating the dial precisely due to the lack of a date and multiple Cary family makers.
Dials: Horizontal, Equation of Time, Historical Dials
December 2021
Page 2
Page 2
Analyses a newly discovered, unrecorded 17th-century horizontal Cumbrian dial by John Sill, dated 1737. It describes the dial plate specifications, unusual thickness, features (such as oak leaf borders), and XRF materials analysis, identifying copper sources and the controversial use of a selenium-based artificial patina during a past restoration.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, Restoration projects, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2021
Page 6
Page 6
Congratulates the German Fachkreis Sonnenuhren on its 50th anniversary (1971–2021), noting it is the world's longest-established national sundial society. Mentions a commemorative book and conference, and early members like René Rohr, along with historical difficulties communicating with East German diallists.
Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
December 2021
Page 12
Page 12
Presents the analemmatic human sundial installed around 2012–13 on the north-west lawn of Bodelwyddan Castle, North Wales, made of reconstituted stone with GMT/BST rings. The castle site also hosts an older, 19th-century horizontal dial by Troughton, found and re-erected decades later.
Dials: Analemmatic, Historical Dials
December 2021
Page 17
Page 17
Commemorates Fiona Vincent (1949–2021), the Bulletin's regular proofreader, noting her career as Dundee City Astronomer where she designed two sundials. Highlights her foundational work in positional astronomy web notes, contributions to the BSS Datacard, and research into moondials and small solar-system objects.
Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout, The BSS and Members
December 2021
Page 19
Page 19
Discusses Pliny the Elder's account of early Roman sundials, extracted from Natural History, Book VII. It cites the first recorded sundial and the first public dial brought from Sicily in 264 BC. The article notes that this inaccurate Sicilian dial was used for nearly a century before being superseded by more accurate devices, including a water-clock.
Historical Dials
December 2021
Page 20
Page 20
Outlines Fabio Savian’s proposal for an English edition of the French Republican Calendar, providing solar declination and EoT values. Explains the calendar’s structure (décades, 30-day months) and its philosophical anti-religious origins, evidenced by the calendar's iconography, including a discarded sundial and using names like 'Dog' for Christmas Day.
Equation of Time, Historical Dials
December 2021
Page 25
Page 25
Review of John Davis's Monograph No. 14, The Portable Saxon Sundial at Canterbury Cathedral. The monograph comprehensively covers the unique, small silver-and-gold Saxon portable dial, including its materials analysis, historical links to figures like King Edgar, and the ongoing debate regarding the exact method required for suspending and reading the gnomon.
Book Reviews, Dials: Portable, Historical Dials
December 2021
Page 26
Page 26
Detailed investigation into the historical changes of a cube sundial at Crossford, Fife, by comparing sketches and photographs from 1892, 1991, and 2010. The study resolved delineation errors, wrong gnomon placements, and incorrect Roman numerals, concluding the errors resulted from a rushed, poor-quality restoration following vehicle damage in the mid-1990s.
Dials: Cube, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
December 2021
Page 29
Page 29
Examines an old postcard (circa 1910-1921) of the sundial at Halifax Parish Church (SRN 0287). The high-resolution image helps decipher inscriptions, notably the motto "True as the Dial to the Sun / Altho’ it is not shone upon." Compares the historical view with recent photographs, suggesting the dial requires urgent conservation work.
Historical Dials, Mottoes
December 2021
Page 35
Page 35
Report summarizing presentations from the BSS Newbury Meeting on 25 September 2021. Topics included historical dials, specialized designs (reflective gnomons), new projects (Fleet Street, residential dials), and discoveries (analemmatic dials, Combe Martin noon line, mass dials).
Construction Projects, Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
March 2020
Page 2
Page 2
Details the history and recent restoration of the monumental obelisk sundial at Drummond Castle, Perthshire, originally dating from 1630. The article introduces the structure, the discovery of complex gnomonic features, and the reinstatement ceremony in June 2019. The restoration included replacing gnomons and correcting misconceptions about its function.
Dials: Multi Faced, Restoration projects, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
March 2020
Page 9
Page 9
Describes a postcard of a vertical south dial at St Mary’s Priory, Hurley, Berkshire. The dial appears to feature a person seated on top of the column holding the gnomon. The author notes the need for further investigation into this dial and provides historical context about the priory.
Dials: Unusual, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
March 2020
Page 10
Page 10
Discusses several examples of horizontal sundials found in public places (Holme Lacy House Hotel, Hodsock Priory, Canons Ashby) that are poorly aligned and useless for telling time. The author carries a compass to check sundial alignment, noting that badly set-up dials discredit those interested in them. The Hodsock Priory dial is attributed to Joseph Wilson of Stamford, circa 1818–1860.
Dials: Horizontal, Sundial Design & Layout, Historical Dials
March 2020
Page 14
Page 14
Investigates a brass northern hemisphere dial found in New Zealand, identified by its inscription as made for Glamis Castle, Scotland (Latitude 56° 37′ N) and signed 'David Lyon Sculpsit'. Detailed analysis of the Coat of Arms and Equation of Time scale dates the dial to between 1710 and 1752, likely commissioned around the 1725 marriage of the 6th Earl of Strathmore, Charles Lyon, to Susan Cochrane. The dial was never installed at Glamis.
Dials: Horizontal, Equation of Time, Historical Dials, Mottoes
March 2020
Page 21
Page 21
Reviews notable sundials sold at auction in 2019, including an octagonal brass double horizontal dial by Elias Allen (£3,300) and a multiple slate dial by Richard Melvin (£900). The highest price was £731,250 for a medieval astrolabe quadrant. Other items included a silver Butterfield dial, Augsburg dials by Vogler and Müller, and modern reproductions.
Dials: Astrolabe, Dials: Double Horizontal, Dials: Portable, Historical Dials
March 2020
Page 26
Page 26
Focuses on the lectern-type sundial originally from Neidpath Castle. The article recounts the dial's history, noting it was saved by a gardener in 1795 and eventually returned to the castle in 1961. The dial is unusual as it is oblong and features a sloping hemi-cylinder ending halfway down with a cup-hollow underneath. It includes descriptions of the multiple faces, incorporating sunken, reclining, and proclining dials.
Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Scaphe, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
March 2020
Page 38
Page 38
Examines a rare 8½-inch stone cube mass dial (13th or 14th century) sold at auction, originating from South Norfolk. Analysis shows it qualifies as a 'transitional dial' with roughly 15° spacing between lines, possibly reflecting the early use of unequal or equal hours related to clocks. Its existence, along with others in Norfolk, suggests the county was prominent in timekeeping developments in the early 14th century.
Dials: Cube, Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
March 2020
Page 40
Page 40
A review of Jill Wilson’s expanded third edition of the Biographical Index of British Sundial Makers, featuring nearly 1900 entries (330 more than the previous edition). The book is divided by century, includes illustrations, useful lists of references, and complementary material on London Guilds and apprenticeships.
Book Reviews, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
June 2020
Page 2
Page 2
This article researches the work of late 17th-century York artisans Thomas and Joshua Mann, who, though primarily known for architecture and engraving, were also notable sundial makers. The article details several of their horizontal, vertical, and portable dials.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Vertical, Dials: Portable, Historical Dials
June 2020
Page 8
Page 8
This article describes the ancient, Jacobean sundial in Thornton, Lancashire, which is featured on the village sign and stands near the old village stocks. The dial is Grade Two Listed, but its cracked plate and heavy patina obscure the maker and date. Repairs were undertaken on the stocks, but the sundial itself remains untouched since 1891.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
June 2020
Page 10
Page 10
This is the second part detailing the conservation of the 1630 Drummond Castle obelisk sundial. The work involved dismantling the structurally unsound base and shaft, using laser scanning for documentation, and replacing all the gnomons with new, accurately calculated bronze parts, restoring the dial to full working order.
Dials: Multi Faced, How Sundials Work, Restoration projects, Historical Dials
June 2020
Page 18
Page 18
This report outlines 24 sundials newly reported to the BSS Fixed Dial Register in 2019. The entries feature a variety of types, including a Pilkington and Gibbs heliochronometer, several analemmatic dials, and various vertical and horizontal dials located across the UK.
Dials: Analemmatic, Dials: Heliochronometer, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
June 2020
Page 25
Page 25
This article examines three Scottish obelisk sundials on the east coast, following the earlier historical descriptions by Thomas Ross. The dials discussed are located at Bonnington, Leven (where a conjectural restoration occurred), and a structure now at Brechin Castle, which may not have originally been an obelisk shaft.
Dials: Cube, Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials
June 2020
Page 30
Page 30
This segment describes a temporary-looking sundial dated 1905, painted on a wall at Butley Priory, Suffolk. The dial, which is not in the Fixed-Dial Register, has the motto 'TIME PASSETH' inscribed on the door lintel beneath it.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Mottoes
June 2020
Page 31
Page 31
This piece investigates the identity of the sundial maker marked with the initials 'EC' on dials dated 1625 and 1642. It notes that the style and date pre-date the well-known London instrument maker Edmund Culpeper, suggesting an earlier, unidentified artisan.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
June 2020
Page 32
Page 32
This article documents two sophisticated double horizontal sundials constructed in the early 19th century at the Jesuit Academy in Polotsk, Belarus, following the principles of William Oughtred and Jacques Ozanam. These instruments, built for Polotsk and St Petersburg, incorporated unique features like twilight circles and local noon times for global cities, but are no longer extant.
How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling, Historical Dials, Dials: Double Horizontal
June 2020
Page 44
Page 44
Reports on the March 2020 excavation of a marble "hemicyclium" sundial in the ancient city of Laodikeia, Turkey. The dial features Greek inscriptions for the winter solstice, equinox, and summer solstice, though its exact dating (Hellenistic vs. Roman era) is still debated.
Dials: Hemispherical, How Sundials Work, Historical Dials, Dials: Scaphe
September 2020
Page 2
Page 2
A horizontal slate dial, reliably dated 1767, belonging to Vice Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy, is tracked through its travels from Dorset to Australia and back to London. The article concludes with the dial's conservation and placement inside Portesham House, alongside a replica placed outside.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, Restoration projects, The BSS and Members
September 2020
Page 4
Page 4
A watercolour painting likely from the late 18th century shows two dials (a vertical south and a declining south-west) on the chapel entry porch. Due to stonework replacement, most of both dials were lost, though evidence suggests there was once a third dial on the south-east face, forming a triplet.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
September 2020
Page 5
Page 5
A postcard, postmarked 1917, is presented showing the Ye Dial Garden at Friar Park, which contains a cross dial and a multiple horizontal dial. The gardens were described in 1984 as having formerly contained thirty-nine sundials, though their disappearance date is unknown.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
September 2020
Page 6
Page 6
Examines a canted vertical limestone dial in Brockwell Park, dated 1775. The article focuses on translating the cryptic motto, “So Doct Ho In D,” suggesting the elegant interpretation “Sol Ducit Horas in Die” (the sun draws the hours in the day). The dial’s original location is questioned as it was designed for a wall declining approximately 38° west of south.
Dials: Vertical, How Sundials Work, Historical Dials, Mottoes
September 2020
Page 9
Page 9
Describes an unusual 18th-century horizontal dial, signed Edward Hunter Fecit, which features a pierced gnomon depicting a merman. Hunter is identified as an Irish maker.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
September 2020
Page 10
Page 10
Explores the terminology and history of cylinder dials ("al-ustuwana", "‘Asâ-yı Mûsâ") in the Ottoman Empire, where they were less common than astrolabes. Introduces two Ottoman manuscripts and discusses two surviving cylinder dials from the 18th and 19th centuries, both calculated for the latitude of Istanbul (41°).
Dials: Portable, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling, Historical Dials
September 2020
Page 16
Page 16
Examines sundials in West Lothian mentioned by Thomas Ross, including those at Houston House Hotel, Craigton, and Hopetoun House. Comparisons are drawn between Ross’s sketches and the dials' current condition, such as the mass dial at St Michael’s church, Linlithgow.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials
September 2020
Page 19
Page 19
Concerns a horizontal dial dated 1644 seen at a French auction. The motto was deciphered as “CHEVER NOBLE,” possibly a personal motto associated with the family name Chever from Brittany.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, Mottoes
September 2020
Page 26
Page 26
Anthony Turner clarifies that a portable dial signed J Mann 1679 should not be attributed to Joshua Mann. John Foad compares the association of the Thornton sundial with stocks to a similar instance in Ripley, North Yorkshire.
Dials: Portable, Historical Dials
September 2020
Page 27
Page 27
Examines the manufacture and export of ivory sundials in France, historically linked to Dieppe. Provides evidence for production in Rouen during the first half of the 17th century and mentions a notable diptych dial made in Lisieux in 1598.
Dials: Portable, Historical Dials
September 2020
Page 29
Page 29
Notes that a rare, early Type 6 Tropical Pilkington & Gibbs Heliochronometer, featuring a strong base covering 90° of latitude, was offered for sale in 1996.
Dials: Heliochronometer, Dials: Portable, Historical Dials
September 2020
Page 30
Page 30
Reports on a tour detailing various sundials across New Zealand's North Island, including a memorial dial at Lynfield College. Describes a commemorative dial at the Treaty of Waitangi Grounds and the analemmatic 'Sundial of Human Involvement' in Wellington Botanic Garden.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Analemmatic, Historical Dials, Dials: Armillary Sphere
September 2020
Page 35
Page 35
Describes an unusual Benoy dial (SRN 4074) at Upton Hall, invented by W. Gordon Benoy, that uses a liquid-filled glass cylinder to focus a light beam onto the dial face instead of a shadow. Notes the dial is in need of refurbishment and mentions a second, missing Benoy dial.
Dials: Reflected, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
September 2020
Page 36
Page 36
Reports on two sundial finds by metal detectorists. The first is an octagonal horizontal dial signed ‘W O Reynolds 1935’ with the motto 'Sole orto spes; decedente pax'. The second is a square dial inscribed 'Raymond Surrey', possibly made by a clockmaker.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, Mottoes
September 2020
Page 40
Page 40
Explains the Italian terminology for 'Italian hours' (e.g., "ore italiche") and the two historical systems based on sunset. These are "ora italica comune" (geometric sunset) and "ore italiche da campanile" (half an hour after sunset, marked by the Angelus bell).
How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling, Historical Dials
September 2020
Page 42
Page 42
Investigates the remains of a large horizontal mass dial at the Cistercian Munkeby Abbey ruins, Norway. The term "Timstokk" (hour/rod) in Old Scandinavian refers to such a dial. Based on the alignment, the dial is estimated to date from the Middle Ages, possibly around 1350.
How Sundials Work, Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials
December 2020
Page 2
Page 2
This article describes and analyses an unusual Roman sundial in the British Museum (1884,0615.1), likely originating from Egypt. It examines the dial’s equinoctial planar design, estimating the design latitude (27.3° N) and nodus height using physical measurements and a graphical approach. It challenges the idea that the declination arcs correspond to zodiac cusps.
Dials: Equatorial, Historical Dials, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling
December 2020
Page 10
Page 10
Part 33 explores three Aberdeen sundials mentioned by Thomas Ross in 1890. These include the vertical declining dial on the Municipal Building (Town House), two cubic dials on Andrew Begg's shop dated 1694, and the dial at King’s College Chapel, potentially Scotland’s oldest. The author doubts the 1494 dating of the latter.
Dials: Cube, Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
December 2020
Page 15
Page 15
This instalment of Postcard Potpourri features a postcard of the original double horizontal dial at Hampton Court Palace, made by Thomas Tompion in 1690. The dial is now in storage, replaced by an undelineated replica. Based on the printer information, the unused postcard is dated between 1926 and 1932.
Historical Dials, Dials: Double Horizontal
December 2020
Page 19
Page 19
This article follows Ortwin Feustel’s analysis of the British Museum sundial (1884,0615.1) to determine the meaning of its declination arcs. By calculating the corresponding solar declinations, the author correlates them with agriculturally significant events recorded in the ancient Egyptian Geminos parapegma, such as the rising of Sirius and the setting/rising of the Pleiades.
Dials: Equatorial, Historical Dials, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling
December 2020
Page 36
Page 36
Obituary for Michael Lowne (BSS member 404), who worked at the Royal Greenwich Observatory from 1950 to 1989. Known for his patience and problem-solving, he contributed articles on double horizontal dials, reflecting and refracting sundials, moondials, and solving the operation of a unique 17th-century universal altitude sundial.
Dials: Reflected, Historical Dials, Dials: Double Horizontal
December 2020
Page 37
Page 37
Obituary for David O. Le Conte, an astronomer who spent much of his distinguished career tracking satellites for NASA and working on the Hubble Space Telescope. He was a key figure in Guernsey's astronomical and social life, designing the Guernsey Liberation monument and collaborating on a booklet cataloguing the island’s historical sundials.
Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
December 2020
Page 48
Page 48
Chris Lusby Taylor provides research into Thomas Stringer, the dedicatee of a book referred to in a previous Bulletin. Stringer was steward to the Earl of Shaftesbury and was knowledgeable about sundials, dividing them into Astronomical, Italick, Babilonick, Antient, or Judaick hours.
How Sundials Work, Historical Dials
March 2019
Page 8
Page 8
Examines historical sundials identified by Thomas Ross in the Scottish Borders near Melrose, including a carved dial (1661) at Melrose Abbey. Investigates a Melrose cube dial (c. 162-) and five of the six historical dials in Newstead. Discusses the provenance and arms on the Abbotsford dial (originally from Dryburgh Abbey).
Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials
March 2019
Page 12
Page 12
Investigates a 1766 brass horizontal sundial found via the BSS Help and Advice Service. Although signed 'Martin Crosby', the latitude (53° 30ʹ) suggests the maker was likely John Martin of Great Crosby, Liverpool, a known clockmaker. The dial is notable for its minute-interval 'vernier' transversals and pierced gnomon.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
March 2019
Page 13
Page 13
Features photographs of the sundial in the Stallhof courtyard, Dresden, a restored Baroque declining vertical dial destroyed in 1945. It was restored in 1976 and includes a ball nodus, constant-declination lines, Zodiac signs, and the motto *MORS CERTA HORA INCERTA*.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Mottoes
March 2019
Page 14
Page 14
Summarises notable sundials sold at auction in 2018. Items include a slate dial by Richard Melvin, a universal equinoctial ring dial by Jonathan Sisson, a 1553 vertical disc dial, an astronomical compendium by Ulrich Klieber (1571), an eight-pointed star dial by Hans Felt, and a previously unrecorded double horizontal dial by Elias Allen (c. 1630).
Dials: Double Horizontal, Dials: Portable, Historical Dials
March 2019
Page 18
Page 18
Describes three sundials commemorating war and peace. The first is the Merchant Seamen analemmatic dial at the National Memorial Arboretum. The second and third are new memorial analemmatic sundials in Aldridge (incorporating clay bricks inscribed by schools) and East Stour (made of Portland stone and granite). Also mentions a brass dial commemorating the 1919 Treaty of Versailles.
Construction Projects, Dials: Analemmatic, Historical Dials
March 2019
Page 22
Page 22
Investigation into the sundial at Angela Court (now Sundial House), East Devon. The assembly consists of an older cube dial topped by a brass Dollond horizontal dial plate engraved with an incorrect latitude (51° 15ʹ). The base has mysterious Latin inscriptions (SOLE, QUARE, SPLENDIDIUS, NECASTI) which are speculated to mean, "Why did you kill the sunshine?" suggesting the dial is a memorial.
Dials: Cube, Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, Mottoes
March 2019
Page 25
Page 25
Describes the Category A listed Dunbar Town House, Scotland, which features two renovated wall dials. The dials—one direct-west-facing and one declining south—were originally painted in 1686 and restored in 2011, noting the unusual Roman numerals.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
March 2019
Page 35
Page 35
Describes the magnificent dials on the tower of the Governor’s Palace in Parma, Italy, restored in 2006. The combination includes a vertical dial split into morning/afternoon hours and a noon dial, both featuring an analemma with constant-declination lines and zodiac symbols. The dials were damaged during WWII when partisans attempted to remove Fascist symbols.
Dials: Noon Lines, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
March 2019
Page 38
Page 38
Features a rare postcard showing a Pilkington & Gibbs heliochronometer at the Mytton and Mermaid Hotel, Atcham. The distinctive dial no longer exists in situ, and its identification number is not visible on the high-resolution scan.
Dials: Heliochronometer, Historical Dials
March 2019
Page 40
Page 40
A reader shares the story of a heavy stone vertical sundial purchased in Edinburgh 35 years ago and said to have come from the 'Isle of Fife'. Experts determined the dial, featuring a cherub's head and cross patty for noon, dates between 1660 and 1720 and its delineation is consistent with Fife's latitude.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
June 2019
Page 2
Page 2
Analyses ancient multi-faced and scaphe marble sundials catalogued by Gibbs and Winter, using 3D models and software (GOM Inspect) to measure parameters for reconstruction. Focuses on dials with planar-vertical deviating faces, hollow spherical faces (scaphe), and hollow conical faces, detailing the geometrical reconstruction and function of hour lines.
Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Scaphe, Historical Dials
June 2019
Page 7
Page 7
Investigates an ancient horizontal stone sundial (made of quartzofeldspathic gneiss) found at the Abhayagiri Monastery refectory (latitude 8° 24′ N). The dial, now in a museum, has 32 segments, but was likely primarily used to check time (around solar noon) for the monks' daily meal schedule according to Buddhist discipline.
Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2019
Page 10
Page 10
Examines two historical sundials at Ladyland House, Scotland, documented by Thomas Ross. The first is a 1673 lectern dial (star type) on an unusual pedestal. The second is an obelisk capital (dated 1821) on a graceful pedestal, noted as possibly not original to the location, and currently neglected.
Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials
June 2019
Page 13
Page 13
Studies a rare, previously unrecorded Renaissance portable altitude sundial (navicula), acquired by the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum. The brass instrument is ship-shaped and follows the medieval English tradition but uses later numerals. Metallurgical analysis reveals a standard brass alloy, and its engraved date table aligns with 15th-century manuscripts.
Dials: Portable, Historical Dials
June 2019
Page 16
Page 16
Features a pre-First World War postcard of a three-faced dial on a sandstone pillar (1899) at Dean Row Chapel, Wilmslow, Cheshire. A high-resolution scan confirms the gnomon is missing from the west face, though the supports are still present.
Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials
June 2019
Page 20
Page 20
Details the history and functioning of the 66.8-metre meridian line constructed by Giovanni Domenico Cassini in 1655 at San Petronio Basilica. Discusses the earlier Danti line, restorations, the use of Cassini units and Italian hours, and how the line helped confirm Kepler's elliptical orbit theory.
Dials: Noon Lines, Historical Dials
June 2019
Page 26
Page 26
A photograph of a vertical meridian dial on the chapel of the Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris. The dial shows solar time of noon ±1 hour (with half-hours) and short sections of the declination lines.
Dials: Noon Lines, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
June 2019
Page 28
Page 28
Reports on a new exhibition of 87 historic sundials, assembled by Maciej Lose, in the Mathematical Tower of Wrocław University. The collection includes a rare double horizontal dial by John Allen, and is considered the best collection of quality English horizontal dials globally.
Dials: Double Horizontal, Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
June 2019
Page 30
Page 30
Presents 18 selected entries from the more than 100 dials added to the Fixed Dial Register in 2018. Examples include historical dials by George Adams and Heath and Wing, a Dollond cube dial, a vertical slate dial from 1698, and modern ground-level and wall dials.
Construction Projects, Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
June 2019
Page 35
Page 35
Describes a brass polar sundial found at the Kanan Devan Hills Tea Plantation museum in Munnar. The dial, stamped "ART INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL, NAZARETH, 1913," was made by a vocational school in Tamil Nadu. The capital's angle (10°) is appropriate for Munnar's latitude, though the current setting is inaccurate.
Dials: Polar, Historical Dials
September 2019
Page 2
Page 2
This article details a visit to the privately owned Zuylenburgh collection in Oud-Zuilen, Utrecht, which includes sundials, clocks, and scientific instruments. Highlights include a vertical dial by Pieter de Ruiter, several armillary dials, and portable dials by notable makers such as J. Smith, W. & S. Jones, Elias Allen, Thomas Wright, and Humfrey Cole.
Dials: Vertical, Dials: Portable, Historical Dials, Dials: Armillary Sphere
September 2019
Page 10
Page 10
The article discusses the Neolithic Mnajdra temple complex in Malta, which flourished between 3600 and 2500 BC. The structure incorporates features marking key points in the sun’s annual cycle, aligning the rising sun at the equinoxes and solstices. This precision suggests Mnajdra may be the earliest known structure marking all four significant points in the solar cycle.
Historical Dials, How Sundials Work
September 2019
Page 15
Page 15
The article details the investigation into a dial inscribed 'Jwade' and 'Thos. Hart 1773', which was found to be the genuine article stolen from All Saints’ Church in Iwade. The investigation concurrently identified eight other similar dials (like one at Wilton House Museum) bearing the 20th-century “Brazen-Faced Old Optimist” motto, believed to be later replicas.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
September 2019
Page 19
Page 19
This entry describes a nineteenth-century vertical dial (SRN 0501) by Edwin Clark at Dial House, Marlow. The dial declines to the west, showing 1 pm to 8 pm, with gilded lines on a blue ground, and features the mottoes “Ne quid pereat” and “Horas non numero nisi serenas”.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Mottoes
September 2019
Page 21
Page 21
A description of a recently recovered slate sundial by Richard Melvin, typical of his finely engraved work. The dial includes an EoT correction scale, a compass rose, 70 geographical locations, and four smaller corner dials indicating times in New York, Alexandria, Isle of Borneo, and New Zealand.
Dials: Unusual, Equation of Time, Historical Dials
September 2019
Page 22
Page 22
This article continues the analysis of ancient multi-faced sundials using 3D reconstructions. It examines a dial from the Musei Vaticani with three vertical hollow cylindrical faces and a combination dial from Herculaneum featuring vertical hollow cylindrical and spherical faces. Analysis includes calculation based on geographical latitude and declination lines.
Dials: Hemispherical, Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling
September 2019
Page 27
Page 27
A detailed analysis of the Reverend R.W. Essington (1818–1907) and his enthusiasm for cross dials. It documents the three cross dials he erected at Shenstone and Newquay, discussing their mottoes and inscriptions, and provides strong evidence linking him to the design or erection of the cross dial in the Royal Victoria Park Botanical Gardens in Bath.
Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, Mottoes
September 2019
Page 34
Page 34
The author investigates a sunken rhombic dodecahedron sundial found in Leitholm. Initially theorised to be the missing multi-faced dial described by Thomas Ross at Lee Castle, this theory was later refuted by evidence showing that broken pieces of the original Lee Castle dial still existed elsewhere in 1984. The Leitholm and Lee Castle dials are likely by the same maker.
Dials: Cube, Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials
December 2019
Page 2
Page 2
This article details the complex restoration of a large, venerable painted stone sundial near Prestatyn. After initial miscalculations, detailed analysis confirmed its 18th-century origin and correct design latitude. Scientific paint analysis suggested an original smalt blue and gilded finish. The sundial was subsequently restored, repainted, gilded, and reinstalled, canted correctly for its location.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Restoration projects, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2019
Page 9
Page 9
Discussion of a postcard featuring The Woodlands School, Burgess Hill, Hampstead, believed to be a pre-War girls' school. The author seeks information about the school's history and whether the sundial visible in the image still exists among the current buildings on the former grounds.
Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
December 2019
Page 10
Page 10
Analysis of a small, peculiar sundial presented to Benjamin Disraeli in 1862 by Philip Lybbe Powys. The article discusses its Latin motto and strange configuration (reversed gnomon). It concludes the dial was likely a customised desk ornament rather than a functional timepiece, relating its creation to Powys's attempts to curry favour during his troubled years.
Dials: Portable, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, Mottoes
December 2019
Page 22
Page 22
An investigation into a 19th-century brass instrument by T. Mason Dublin, combining a compass and an inclinometer, whose purpose is uncertain. The author reviews several possibilities for its use, such as adjusting a sundial's latitude or measuring gnomon angles, but ultimately suggests it was more likely intended for surveying or geological measurements.
Dialling Tools, Historical Dials
December 2019
Page 26
Page 26
The 29th part of a series documenting sundials mentioned by Thomas Ross, focusing on five examples in Midlothian. The author traces the status and location of three dials at Oxenfoord Castle, a 1745 vertical dial in Dalkeith, and the relocation of a rare lectern sundial from Mid Calder House to Culzean Castle in Ayrshire.
Dials: Cube, Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
December 2019
Page 39
Page 39
A comprehensive report detailing the presentations given at the annual BSS Newbury meeting. Topics included David Brown's project updates, Frank King's heliodrome concept, Ben Green's heliochronometer, David Burstall’s glass equatorial dial, discussions on the Fixed Dial Register, portable dials, and Martins Gills' new Latvian sundials and the Sundials Atlas website update.
Construction Projects, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout, The BSS and Members
March 2018
Page 2
Page 2
Describes the acquisition and scholarly investigation of a 19th-century horizontal dial plate. Removing a later plaque revealed the signature of previously unrecorded sundial makers, Chadburn Bros, Sheffield. The dial features an Equation of Time ring, and its composition (naval brass) and craftsmanship are analyzed, filling a gap in the history of regional makers.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, Mottoes
March 2018
Page 6
Page 6
A report on the destruction of the cubical monumental sundial in Ilchester, Somerset, which stands 7 metres high. The sundial, originally built in 1795 and rebuilt in 1990 after being blown down, was pole-axed in 2017 when an intoxicated driver failed to take a bend and struck the plinth.
Dials: Cube, Historical Dials
March 2018
Page 8
Page 8
Examines three historical sundials in the Aberdeen area: Ellon Castle (two dials), Pitmedden Garden, and Duthie Park. The author reports on the discovery of the shafts and capitals of the Ellon dials during garden conservation efforts, noting their similarity to the Pitmedden dial (c. 1675). Issues of restoration and the originality of paint on the 1707 Duthie Park dial are discussed.
Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials
March 2018
Page 13
Page 13
Reports on the auction sale of a Joshua Springer horizontal dial for £1,375. The purchaser, based in the USA, subsequently contacted the BSS Help-and-Advice service seeking information on adjusting the dial for a New York latitude.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
March 2018
Page 16
Page 16
A summary of sundial-related items sold at auction in 2017, including prices achieved. Noteworthy sales include an inclining dial by G. Adams, a rare universal equinoctial ring dial pre-1752, a horizontal garden dial by George Adams Senior featuring an Equation of Time scale, and a sophisticated declinatory dial by R. Glynne.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Portable, Historical Dials
March 2018
Page 20
Page 20
Details the remarkable coincidence where a BSS Help-and-Advice query regarding a missing sundial seen fifty years prior coincided with the typesetting of an article detailing that very instrument. The dial, an A.N. Goddard heliochronometer (designed by Victor E. Edwards) using an aperture nodus and analemma, was moved approximately 15 miles north from a Detroit factory to the Cranbrook Institute of Science.
Dials: Heliochronometer, Historical Dials
March 2018
Page 22
Page 22
Discusses the newly restored Tower of the Winds (Horologion of Kyrrhestos) in Athens, which features eight exterior sundials and an internal water clock. The main riddle explored is whether the eroded sundials were original to the 1st century BC structure, noting the conflicting evidence of Vitruvius's silence versus the need for sundials to regulate the water clock.
Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
March 2018
Page 25
Page 25
Features a postcard of the Belfry next to the market halls in Amiens, showing a sundial dating from 1753 that was restored in 1990. The postcard was produced by the French publisher Neurdein et Cie, typical of cards made in booklets during the First World War.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
March 2018
Page 26
Page 26
Examines the dedication of the octagonal bronze sundial at Moray Golf Club in Lossiemouth, Scotland. The dial, featuring the motto 'Docet Umbra', commemorates cousins George Eric Edwards (DSO recipient) and Sergeant Alexander Edwards (VC recipient) of the Seaforth Highlanders, both of whom perished in the First World War. The memorial was unveiled in 1931.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
March 2018
Page 34
Page 34
Investigates string gnomon dials, especially those from Dieppe (c. 1660), and their calibration methods. The author suggests that makers intentionally offset the hour lines by the thickness of the string so that the user could read the time from the leading edge of the shadow, circumventing the need for a gnomon gap at noon.
Dials: Portable, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2018
Page 2
Page 2
Investigates a rare 1706 cross dial in Moorfields, London, made by Robert Trevitt, a painter, as a parish boundary marker and memorial to the Battle of Ramillies. The article explores why cross dials were uncommon in England, suggesting their imagery was historically considered idolatrous due to religious connotations.
Dials: Polar, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, Mottoes
June 2018
Page 6
Page 6
Examines four historical sundials in West Fife, Scotland, following the work of Thomas Ross. Locations include two dials in Limekilns (one possibly dated 1689), Culross Palace, and the restored Pitfirrane Castle pedestal. The replacement dial at Pitfirrane features the Halkett motto Fides Sufficit.
Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials
June 2018
Page 10
Page 10
Describes historical French mass dials, often larger than English equivalents, found mainly in areas linked historically to Britain. Examples include dials with four, six, or twelve segments, often carved in relief, some of which are marked with letters representing the Canonical Hours (PR, TE, ME, NO).
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials
June 2018
Page 12
Page 12
Features a postcard of the bell tower at the Basilica de Guadalupe, which integrates various time-telling devices. The tower includes a direct south-facing sundial (reclining), an analogue clock, an Aztec calendar representation, and an astronomical clock showing the sun, moon, and Zodiac symbols.
Dials: Unusual, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
June 2018
Page 13
Page 13
Reports on over one hundred dials added to the Fixed Dial Register in 2017, presenting 18 selected examples. These include a historical horizontal dial, a Francis Barker cross dial, a moon dial, an armillary sphere, and a stained glass millennium dial. Dials by makers Thomas Woodcock and John Bird are highlighted.
Dials: Armillary Sphere, Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Polar, Dials: Stained Glass, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
June 2018
Page 22
Page 22
Describes the Hotel Casino Ridola, Matera, Italy, which features a painted sundial dating from 1900 on its front façade. The dial schematic is also etched onto the glass entrance door and used on hotel paperwork. The dial was lovingly restored when the residence was sold to the present owners in 2003.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
June 2018
Page 41
Page 41
Report on the conference, including presentations on modelling the Earth's terminator, developments in double horizontal dials, Brian Huggett's heliochronometer (Mark II), and research on sundial patentee E.G. Hewitt. The conference also featured tours of local historical dials and the Andrew Somerville Memorial Lecture.
Historical Dials, How Sundials Work, Sundial Design & Layout, The BSS and Members
June 2018
Page 48
Page 48
Describes a sundial in Norwich located at Dial Square, a location that was significantly reduced in size in September 1923 and could now be considered "Dial Corner". The displacement occurred when a new bridge across the River Wensum necessitated the construction of an approach road that encroached upon the square.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
September 2018
Page 2
Page 2
Investigates the history and iconography of the central rectangular image of a putto holding a dial, found on a c. 1670 painted-on-glass window dial by Henry Gyles (York). The source is traced back to a Venetian painting, 'The little tambourine player,' which was transformed into a *memento mori* by engraver Jacob Matham, including symbols of vanity like an hourglass and arrow.
Dials: Stained Glass, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
September 2018
Page 8
Page 8
Details an octagonal brass sundial (c. 1651) now in the Armitt Museum, Ambleside. Originally belonging to Gawen Braithwaite, the dial post bears the inscription ‘GB’ and the motto ‘VITA VT HERBA’. Analysis of the punched numerals, hatched segments, and metallurgy suggests it is a very early dial, likely made by a goldsmith or silversmith, G. Hayton.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
September 2018
Page 12
Page 12
Examines the ornate, hinged gnomons of portable Butterfield dials (usually silver or brass), typically featuring a bird whose bill acts as the latitude pointer. Variations in design are illustrated, including non-bird supporters such as a lion, dolphin, leaf, or swan, spanning French, English, and one Russian example.
Dials: Portable, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
September 2018
Page 16
Page 16
Examines two historical sundials at Carberry House, East Lothian. The first is a hollow obelisk dial capital, restored according to Thomas Ross's sketch. The second, missing for a time but now in the National Museum of Scotland, is a unique 13-dial structure featuring a female bust support, combining upright, reclining, and horizontal dials.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials
September 2018
Page 19
Page 19
Describes a 1695 brass horizontal dial bought at auction in Carlisle, designed for latitude 54°. The florid motto ‘Ut Hora Sic Vita’ and signature Lawrance Swarbricke, an excise officer in Penrith, suggest he customized a dial commissioned from a clockmaker. Metallurgical analysis reveals a mid-zinc leaded brass composition typical of the period.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
September 2018
Page 24
Page 24
Investigates a vertical stone dial (1864) in Lumbutts, Calderdale, made by schoolmaster James Travis Whittaker MD. Despite accurately engraving the latitude, the hour lines were grossly incorrect. The author discovered Whittaker had mistakenly used the hour line spacings calculated for a *horizontal* dial at that latitude, rather than a vertical one.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
September 2018
Page 26
Page 26
Describes a horizontal sundial (SRN 3936) located in a garden memorial at Ahakista, West Cork, Ireland, dedicated to those who died in the 1985 Air India flight explosion. Designed by Ken Thompson and delineated by Owen Deignan, the dial features the motto 'TIME FLIES...' and a plaque giving the Equation of Time.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
September 2018
Page 28
Page 28
Investigates John Wright, a London-trained instrument maker who initiated Bristol’s scientific instrument trade in 1756. A rare, well-preserved horizontal dial plate signed 'Jo Wright London' is analysed, showing fine engraving and wax infill. The plate features unusual slots around the compass rose whose purpose, possibly related to magnetic variation or EoT, remains an open puzzle.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
September 2018
Page 32
Page 32
A short piece noting the unflattering description of the Grade II Listed terra cotta sundial in Ruskin Park, South London, quoted from a 1979 historical account. The dial, which is now missing, was originally erected in a Denmark Hill garden to commemorate the house where Mendelssohn wrote the Spring Song in 1842.
Dials: Unusual, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
September 2018
Page 33
Page 33
Describes a simple, unadorned stone vertical sundial installed in 1780 on the gable end of the Friends’ Meeting House in Brant Broughton, Lincolnshire. The square-section rod gnomon suggests the wall declines slightly west of south. Although the numerals are clear, the hour lines are poorly painted and the noon line is not vertical, indicating an unskilled diallist.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
September 2018
Page 34
Page 34
Presents a rare horizontal brass dial signed 'Beilby Bristol,' made by Richard and Charles Beilby who ran the instrument business (1810-1820) after Joshua Springer. The Beilbys are descendants of the famed 'Ingenious Beilby' family of enamel engravers from Newcastle. The dial follows a standard London design but features a unique unpierced gnomon set at 52°.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
September 2018
Page 36
Page 36
Features a postcard (circa 1930s) showing a sundial at Fritwell Manor, Oxfordshire, which is not currently in the Fixed Dial Register. Enlargement shows the dial declines to the east, as the 6 am line is not horizontal. The manor was once owned by Margaret Boleyn, Anne Boleyn’s grandmother.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
December 2018
Page 2
Page 2
Details the successful recovery of a substantial 1796 brass horizontal churchyard dial from St Michael-on-Wyre, Lancashire, after it was stolen decades prior and listed on eBay in 2018. The dial is exceptional due to its engraved transversals, reflecting the influence of London instrument makers. Its metallurgy, gnomon angle, and mottoes are analysed.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
December 2018
Page 6
Page 6
Features two sundials in the model village of Port Sunlight (SRN 2419 and SRN 2420) depicted on postcards, the first one published by Lever Brothers. The first is a cross dial at 11 Bath Street, and the second is a declining dial on the Dell Bridge which currently lacks its gnomon.
Dials: Polar, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
December 2018
Page 7
Page 7
Investigates a small, folding brass horizontal dial stamped 'Birmingham Patent 1875' similar to examples found in many collections. Analysis confirms the gnomon angle is 45° but the hour lines are grossly incorrect for Birmingham’s latitude (52°), leading to the conclusion that this antique object is functionally useless and an irredeemable 'toy'.
Dials: Portable, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2018
Page 8
Page 8
Examines two memorials in Tollesbury, Essex. One is a polar cross sundial (a cruciform equatorial dial), inscribed with a reference to Apparent Time. The other, for his polymath father Gerald Dunn, features a symbolic vertical dial engraving and references the patented "Cruiserfix" Solar Navigator, which uses a polar cross dial for navigation.
Dials: Polar, Historical Dials
December 2018
Page 18
Page 18
Describes a 1675 brass horizontal dial found atop a broken, ornate pedestal in Edinburgh. The dial, designed for London's latitude (51°), features a 17th-century thick-and-thin pierced gnomon. The date appears genuine, though the pedestal is likely later.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
December 2018
Page 27
Page 27
A reader questions the accuracy of the east-facing dial on Gouda town hall. By overlaying a correct pattern, the author concludes the hour lines are flawed and makes the tongue-in-cheek suggestion that the pattern might have been copied from local treacle waffles (stroopwafels).
Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2018
Page 28
Page 28
Summarises the history of research into medieval sundials, tracing initial interest back to George Victor Du Noyer and Albert Way in the mid-19th century. Highlights the crucial roles of Margaret Gatty (mottoes) and later scholars like Dom Ethelbert Horne in cataloguing scratch dials (mass dials), leading up to the work of Ernst Zinner.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials
December 2018
Page 33
Page 33
Examines the two monumental octagonal dials at Newbattle Abbey (1635), featuring unusual sunken dial-pairs with profile gnomons. Discusses two later copies: Lord Home’s (moved to King’s Park, Glasgow, 1885) and Lord Haddington’s at Tyninghame, which remains an undelineated non-sundial.
Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials
December 2018
Page 38
Page 38
A travelogue describing various French sundials, including: a vertical meridian dial using an aperture nodus in Anduze; a huge dial near Tavel; a colourful, mottoed dial at Saint-Hippolyte-du-Fort; and a multi-faced tower dial at Valréas where the delineations appear inconsistent or mysterious.
Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Noon Lines, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
December 2018
Page 43
Page 43
Details the creation of a large marble mosaic floor in Arsenal FC's hospitality space, Dial Square, referencing the club's birthplace and the original Dial Arch sundial (1886). The BSS was consulted regarding the original sundial's missing numeral 'VII', confirming it was likely due to space constraints.
Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2018
Page 48
Page 48
Describes the serendipitous discovery of a south-facing stone dial from 1739 on the tower of Hörup Church, Sweden, while searching for a Carl Bloch painting. The dial is unusual for Scandinavia as its furniture and embellishments are carved in relief rather than being incised.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
March 2017
Page 2
Page 2
This article details the restoration of a rare, 1652 circular horizontal dial by Henry Sutton, a leading 17th-century instrument maker. Analysis revealed its accuracy but also a beginner’s delineation mistake (wrong centres used for back-hours). The brass plate showed remarkably uniform thickness and bore a unique motto: “As shade doth pass from line to line...”. A replacement gnomon was manufactured.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling, Mottoes, Restoration projects
March 2017
Page 10
Page 10
This piece details the history and 2016 granite reconstruction of a 1943 'blockade' sundial, originally made of wood and plywood during the Siege of Leningrad. Additionally, a new horizontal sundial designed with celestial spheres imagery was installed on the astronomical platform of the Saint Petersburg Planetarium.
Construction Projects, Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
March 2017
Page 12
Page 12
A study of two historical Scottish obelisk sundials at Kelburn Castle. The article describes the typical obelisk structure (shaft, bulged capital, tapering finial, multiple sinkings including scaphe dials). It notes the first dial's 1707 date and wrought-iron vane restoration, and the deteriorated state of the second dial, whose capital and finial have broken off.
Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Scaphe, Historical Dials
March 2017
Page 20
Page 20
A historical survey of five sundial-related sites in the Moorfields district of London. Sites include Sun Dial Court (possibly an inn), Walter Hayes’ instrument-making shop, a vertical dial at Albion Chapel, an Astrological Physician’s house sign with a dial, and a unique 1706 Cross Dial.
Dials: Unusual, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
March 2017
Page 22
Page 22
Review of the book *Time and Cosmos in Greco-Roman Antiquity*, resulting from a world-class exhibition at the Institute for the Study of the Ancient World. The book features scholarly papers on ancient time measurement, including sundials, water clocks, and portable sundials, and is considered a core reference source.
Book Reviews, Dials: Portable, Historical Dials
March 2017
Page 24
Page 24
Investigation of a large, corroded horizontal dial by precision instrument maker John Bird (c. 1709–1776) at Haxey, Lincolnshire. By analyzing the division markers, the Equation of Time scale was determined to be applicable to the post-1752 Gregorian calendar era. The dial is likely associated with Dr William Cotton, vicar from 1754 to 1762.
Dials: Horizontal, Equation of Time, Historical Dials
March 2017
Page 29
Page 29
An account of a memorial horizontal dial in Bosham, West Sussex, dedicated to radio pioneer Eugen Gerald Marcuse (1886–1961), G2NM. Marcuse was noted for the first shortwave broadcast programmes to the Commonwealth (1927) and achieving the first radio telephone contact with New Zealand.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
March 2017
Page 30
Page 30
Description of two vertical declining sundials (32° east and 58° west declination) and a modern horizontal dial on the tower of the Montjuïc fortress in Barcelona. The tower was used by Pierre François André Méchain as a trig point for the meridian measurement required in determining the length of the metre in the late 18th century.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
March 2017
Page 32
Page 32
A selection of notable dials sold at auction in 2016. Highlights include a Flemish ivory diptych dial with a silver nocturnal (1590, sold for £17,500), a standing ring dial, a noon gun, an inclining dial by Benjamin Martin, and a silver Butterfield dial featuring Napoleon on the reverse.
Dials: Nocturnals, Dials: Portable, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
March 2017
Page 40
Page 40
Review of Robert Ovens’ article in the 'Rutland Record' on the Isaack Symmes (c.1580–1622) Ridlington Sundial (1614). Notes the small horizontal dial's old-fashioned design and the detailed biography of Symmes. The dial's back is literally covered in trial engravings, including the words “Ridlington” and “Church”.
Book Reviews, Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
June 2017
Page 8
Page 8
This entry features a photograph of a colourful mosaic sundial located on Flagstaff Hill, Russell, in New Zealand. Designed in 1990, it commemorates the centenary of the New Zealand Institute of Surveyors and bears an Equation of Time table.
Dials: Horizontal, Equation of Time, Historical Dials
June 2017
Page 9
Page 9
The author reports success in locating the historical Hastings town sundial, previously worked on by his ancestor Joseph Wakeham Carswell. Evidence suggests the original dial plate was near East Cliff House and was later moved to the ‘Look-out’ on East Hill.
Historical Dials
June 2017
Page 10
Page 10
This article covers six sundials in East Lothian, Scotland, previously mentioned by Thomas Ross in volume 5 of his work. Sites detailed include Dunglass Collegiate Church and Nunraw Abbey Tower, noting their history, multi-faceted nature, and current condition or replacement status.
Dials: Cube, Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials
June 2017
Page 15
Page 15
This article examines the navicula, a rare portable altitude dial from the late Middle Ages. It suggests the dial is uniquely English and likely originated in East Anglia, based on geographical links to known examples and associated English manuscripts.
Dials: Portable, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
June 2017
Page 24
Page 24
This report lists 47 newly reported dials added to the BSS Register in 2016. Descriptions include an analemmatic dial in New Lanark, a simple vertical dial designed for a Robert Lutyens house, a Dollond dial in London, and a vertical limestone monolith gnomon dial in Lancashire.
Dials: Analemmatic, Dials: Unusual, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
June 2017
Page 29
Page 29
This article investigates an unusual mid-19th century sundial located in the Cloister of Newstead Abbey. The dial plate, inscribed ‘Osmond Sarum’, is mounted on a marble capital presented to Mrs F. Webb in 1856, which was originally from the Temple of Venus in Piraeus.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
June 2017
Page 34
Page 34
The article details two large slate horizontal dials. The first is Robert Connell's nine-sided 1815 dial featuring a perpetual almanac and a global time ring. The second is Richard Melville's 1848 square dial, which displays eight subsidiary dials for various world locations.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
June 2017
Page 37
Page 37
This entry features a postcard image of a sundial made in 1962 by abstract sculptor Barta Lajos in Siófok, Hungary, on the shore of Lake Balaton. Although the dial has since disappeared, it was considered one of the most progressive sculptures of its time in Hungary.
Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
September 2017
Page 2
Page 2
This article is based on a 2016 conference talk detailing modern observations of solar transits on Rome's 1702 meridian line. The purpose was to determine the obliquity of the ecliptic, length of the year, and time of vernal equinox. Analysis of 54 data points gathered between 1996 and 2015 confirmed that the obliquity has grown smaller since the line's construction.
Dials: Noon Lines, Historical Dials, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling
September 2017
Page 12
Page 12
The article examines a 1692/93 query in *The Athenian Mercury* concerning disparate public clock times during a walk across London. Assuming the two sundials mentioned ('Mr. Knib’s Dyal' and the dial near Stocks Market) were accurate, the author uses the measured distance between them to estimate the total elapsed walking time as just over 38 minutes.
Historical Dials
September 2017
Page 17
Page 17
This visits the Geneva Science Museum, which displays instruments related to astronomy and surveying. External exhibits include a conventional globe dial, a large analemmatic dial, and an unusual horizontal altitude dial. Indoor displays feature quadrants, altitude dials, and a navicula portable dial purchased in 1993.
Dials: Analemmatic, Dials: Portable, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
September 2017
Page 19
Page 19
This article examines the other dials at Lennoxlove, Scotland, besides the famous multiple dial. It covers an octagonal horizontal dial engraved by David Lyon (possibly 18th century), a south and east vertical dial (1644), and a similar south and west vertical dial previously unknown to Ross.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
September 2017
Page 24
Page 24
The letter discusses a horizontal sundial in Picton, New Zealand, manufactured by Troughton & Simms in London in 1871. It was restored in 1989 after the gnomon was vandalised. The dial's current placement is unsatisfactory as it is often obscured by shadows from an oak tree and the adjacent building.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
September 2017
Page 25
Page 25
The article shows two postcards, one from 1904 and one from 1967, featuring the Glamis Castle sundial in Scotland. This multi-faceted sandstone dial dates from 1670, stands 6.5 metres high, and contains about 80 individual dials.
Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials
September 2017
Page 28
Page 28
This biography recounts the life of actuary Griffith Davies, FRS, who won a silver medal in 1820 for a complex slate sundial. His 27-inch square horizontal dial, designed for London, displayed 14 different pieces of information, including time in London and Pekin, sun altitude/azimuth, and the Equation of Time.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
September 2017
Page 32
Page 32
Responding to a previous article on Richard Melville’s slate dial, the author clarifies that Port Jackson refers to Sydney Harbour. She notes that the dial maker made a mistake in showing Port Jackson and Syndney as being an hour apart.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
September 2017
Page 33
Page 33
A description of an unsigned portable horizontal dial set in a 3-inch diameter box, likely dating from 1792. The box exterior is covered in detailed printed calendrical information, including Dominical Letters, Easter calculations, and a world time ring listing places and distances from London.
Dials: Portable, Historical Dials
September 2017
Page 41
Page 41
This reports on a rare portable standing ring dial by 'J. Sisson, London', likely Jonathan Sisson (c. 1690–1747). The high-quality brass dial includes latitude and hour rings, alidades, and a Watch Faster/Slower chart on the base. The chart's data matches John Flamsteed's 1702 tables, suggesting the dial was made before the 1730s.
Dials: Portable, Dials: Unusual, Equation of Time, Historical Dials
December 2017
Page 2
Page 2
Describes a large, superior, 18th-century horizontal dial by provincial Bristol maker Joshua Springer, which features a pierced gnomon engraved with the figure of Triton and a ring listing 28 geographical locations. The craftsmanship of this dial elevates Springer's perceived standing.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
December 2017
Page 12
Page 12
Investigates two antique dials: a damaged brass horizontal dial signed by Thomas Wilks and dated 1732, featuring a Jerusalem time ring and Horace motto; and an unsigned, rare, early 18th-century horizontal dial believed to be part of a declinatory instrument.
Dialling Tools, Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
December 2017
Page 15
Page 15
Discusses a weathered horizontal dial from 1765 found in Turin, signed by Yorkshire dial designer William Lumb (1737–1801). Analysis revealed the dial plate was good brass, but the gnomon was cast from an extraordinary alloy of copper, lead, and high tin content, likely recycled pewter.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
December 2017
Page 21
Page 21
A detailed report on the BSS one-day meeting, summarising talks on topics including the Fort Belan sundial, DIY heliochronometers, multi-centre delineation, promotion via social media, the astronomical Culpeper dial, the Gnomonical Universal Nomograph (GUN), and the mechanical generation of the Equation of Time using equation clocks.
Dials: Heliochronometer, Equation of Time, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
December 2017
Page 26
Page 26
Examines two Scottish churches mentioned by Thomas Ross; Pencaitland Parish Church is unique for having three different sundials, including a multi-faced buttress dial and a cube dial. The dial at Bowden Kirk is a modern replacement that was installed with a major error in canting.
Dials: Cube, Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
December 2017
Page 29
Page 29
Features a postcard image of the horizontal 18th-century sundial (SRN 2196) located in Amen Court, London. The dial's gnomon bears the Deanery of St Paul’s motif (D and crossed swords) and is sometimes attributed to Christopher Wren.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
December 2017
Page 30
Page 30
A report detailing a trip to Provence where the author found and photographed over 82 sundials, including a large one at Noyers, an almost direct east-facing dial from 1735 at Eyguières, and various painted dials featuring local mottoes.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Mottoes
December 2017
Page 40
Page 40
Details a heavily weathered cube dial (1710) with a 32-point compass ring at Stonehaven Harbour, and the remains of a 17th-century dial located on Castle Walk, Crail, which was repaired and moved in the 1880s but is now highly deteriorated.
Dials: Cube, Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
March 2016
Page 1
Page 1
A circa 1913 Francis Barker gnomon, which was severely twisted and bent, required straightening. The author commissioned Mark Clarke, an expert who usually works on historic aircraft components at the Imperial War Museum Duxford, to straighten the piece, finding the task straightforward given his experience.
Historical Dials, Restoration projects
March 2016
Page 2
Page 2
An investigation into three historical sundials located at Petwood, a country house in Lincolnshire. The article details the garden's history, designed by William Goldring and later Harold Peto, and describes the ‘little boy’ dial, the classical baluster dial, and an unusual pillar dial supported by four Atlases.
Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
March 2016
Page 6
Page 6
A selection of sundials sold at auction during 2015. Featured dials include a French slate dial (1746), an English mechanical dial, a compass dial by J. Abraham Bath, an ivory crucifix dial with concealed cavities, a horizontal dial by R. Glynne, and a silver Butterfield dial.
Dials: Portable, Historical Dials
March 2016
Page 10
Page 10
A description of a rare octagonal brass horizontal sundial made by John Fawcett of Dublin, who worked primarily as an optician and instrument maker between 1765 and 1793. The dial features a compass rose and an elaborately pierced gnomon.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
March 2016
Page 11
Page 11
Examines a photograph from 1940 showing a classical horizontal sundial located amongst rows of vegetables at Carter’s Seed Company during the ‘Dig for Victory’ campaign. The article poses the question regarding the current location and fate of this particular dial.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
March 2016
Page 13
Page 13
Details the sophisticated east–west sundial presented by Horatio Herbert Kitchener in Haifa in 1875 to his host, Jacob Schumacher. The dial uses a vertical brass plate with apertures to cast light spots onto a bottom plate marked with a split analemma to show local mean time.
Dials: Noon Lines, Equation of Time, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
March 2016
Page 18
Page 18
A report on the artistic sundials of the village of Coaraze, initiated in 1959 by the mayor and artists, including Jean Cocteau, to attract tourism. The dials, often made of painted tiles, are noted for being more artistic and decorative than practical timekeepers.
Dials: Unusual, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
March 2016
Page 25
Page 25
Analysis of a postcard featuring a vertical dial at Deene Park, dated 1769. The author argues that the dial declines to the east, based on the delineation of fewer afternoon hours, correcting a potential error in the BSS Register description.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
March 2016
Page 26
Page 26
This article traces the historical sundials documented by Thomas Ross at Aberdour Castle. It describes a vertical dial (1635), a horizontal dial, and a multi-faceted dial moved from Castle Wigg, noting that the latter's Equation of Time table uses the Julian calendar appropriate for the early 18th century.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Vertical, Equation of Time, Historical Dials
March 2016
Page 30
Page 30
The search for a missing sundial from Calverley Grounds in Tunbridge Wells. The author confirms that a sundial was installed in 1924, but subsequent photographs from the 1960s show the pedestal broken and the dial missing, likely due to vandalism.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
June 2016
Page 2
Page 2
Investigation into a rare 1775 brass horizontal dial commissioned by William Hughes of Bryngola, Anglesey. The dial features complex furniture (EoT scale, transversals, geographical locations) and a questionable coat of arms. Metallurgical analysis suggests it was a custom cast piece, possibly engraved by a specialist working for the Owen clockmaking dynasty in Llanrwst.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
June 2016
Page 6
Page 6
Examination of a postcard featuring an impressive horizontal dial, not listed in the BSS Register, at The High Hall. The dial likely dates to 1934 and carries the motto "summer time" and the initials A.K., suggesting it was the work of pioneer photographer Alex Keighley, using old millstones.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
June 2016
Page 7
Page 7
Research into the elegant, unusual sundial at Lennoxlove, featuring a statue of a lady carrying the multi-faced dial on her head. Although dated 1679 (DMG) and previously located at North Barr, the author suggests the statue was added later (19th century) by the Blantyre family, possibly modelled on the wax effigy of Frances Theresa Stewart, Duchess of Richmond and Lennox.
Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
June 2016
Page 14
Page 14
An analysis of a vertical dial in Saint-Bouize, France, revealing traces of two earlier dials beneath the modern one. One early dial might pre-date 1500, featuring a waterwheel-like star design; the third dial’s hour lines were reconstructed based on existing gnomon holes.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
June 2016
Page 15
Page 15
Provides further details on the East–West sundial presented by Kitchener (previously covered in the March 2016 issue). The author notes a similar dial appeared in an auction catalogue, suggesting it wasn't a unique design by Kitchener himself. The dial works at any latitude by tilting and was likely made by a French instrument maker.
Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
June 2016
Page 20
Page 20
Continuation of the series, analyzing eight Scottish church sundials documented by Thomas Ross in 1892. Many are located on the south-west corner, often with two faces, suggesting afternoon services. Locations discussed include Yarrow (1640), Cortachy (1675), Inveresk (1735, by Archibald Handasyde), and Glencorse (1699).
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
June 2016
Page 26
Page 26
Examination of a small, nominally square horizontal dial believed to date from circa 1590, despite being advertised as circa 1800. Features typical of the period include hand-hammered brass, inward-facing, punched numerals, quarter-hour dots, and a latitude set for London (51.5°), though the delineation suggests 55.9°.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
June 2016
Page 29
Page 29
Review of photographs from a 1908 book, The Gardens of England, illustrating grand sundials in prominent gardens. Many featured pedestal dials, which appear to have since vanished or been moved, highlighting the disappearance of such features due to changing fashion, damage, or theft. Locations include Clumber Park (armillary sphere) and Guy’s Cliff.
Dials: Armillary Sphere, Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
June 2016
Page 34
Page 34
A list of over 200 sundials newly reported to the BSS Register in 2015, ranging from the 17th to 21st centuries. Examples include a 1540 wooden dial, a 1799 horizontal dial by Liverpool clockmaker Thomas Harrison, an exquisite square dial installed for Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, and a modern spiral analemmatic dial.
Dials: Heliochronometer, Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Unusual, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
September 2016
Page 2
Page 2
Investigates two horizontal sundials made by the instrument makers Gabriel Davis (c. 1820) and John Davis (c. 1850) of Derby. The article compares their engraving styles and uses X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and thickness profiling to analyse the metallurgy of the plates, revealing differences in casting and manufacturing technology between the two periods.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
September 2016
Page 7
Page 7
A report on a visit to the unusual 24-hour sundial designed by Tony Moss in Longyearbyen, Svalbard (78° N). Key features noted include the steep gnomon, nearly equally spaced hour lines, and a ‘midnight overlap’.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
September 2016
Page 8
Page 8
Following an enquiry about a suspected sundial marked on a 1909 map in the Wirral, the author found a pillar topped by a modern 'garden centre' dial. Underneath was a 1945 bronze toposcope (showing directions of visible geographic features) made by Chadburns of Liverpool, likely a gift for William E. Corlett, the company’s solicitor, following the relocation of the bombed factory.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
September 2016
Page 11
Page 11
Examines a postcard image of the ‘Atlas Sundial’, unlisted in the BSS Register. It features a statue of Atlas supporting a horizontal dial plate on his shoulders. The pedestal carries the motto: “The hours unless the hours be bright, It is not mine to mark”.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, Mottoes
September 2016
Page 14
Page 14
A detailed analysis of an equinoctial dial, or Portable Equatorial Instrument, invented by G. Wright in 1781 and manufactured by Benjamin Martin (c. 1790). The precise instrument uses spirit levels and latitude arcs to find latitude, time (by sun/stars), and the sun’s azimuth.
Dials: Equatorial, Historical Dials
September 2016
Page 17
Page 17
Examines a multi-faceted dial on the south-west angle turret of Easter Coates House (1615), Edinburgh, which Thomas Ross briefly mentioned. The author confirms a horizontal dial face on the upper surface, suggesting the dial is original to the building, despite it possibly containing repurposed stones.
Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
September 2016
Page 22
Page 22
A report on a BSS visit to World Museum, Liverpool, to view their collection of dials. Highlights included an 18th-century Koch dial from Vienna featuring an elliptical scale for better spacing of 15-minute markings, and a Dent dipleidoscope, an instrument used for precisely determining apparent noon.
Dialling Tools, Dials: Portable, Historical Dials, How Sundials Work
September 2016
Page 23
Page 23
Describes a modern horizontal ‘Flat Sundial’ installed in 2011 outside the Nautical Museum of Crete in Chania. The pedestal provides Equation of Time corrections in six languages, though the author notes the original elegant gnomon appears to have been damaged and replaced by a simpler version.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
September 2016
Page 26
Page 26
Reports on a vertical dial (SRN 6098) at King’s Head House, Beaconsfield, previously obscured by a large magnolia tree that has now been severely pruned. Although revealed, the dial is incorrectly delineated as direct south-facing, causing it to read 20–30 minutes earlier than true solar time for the wall's 14° east declination.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
September 2016
Page 27
Page 27
A search for a potentially high-quality sundial gifted to Weybridge Hospital in 1956 from Caenshill House, formerly owned by the wealthy Dame Ethel Locke King. The dial is currently unrecorded in the BSS Register, and its existence and whereabouts are requested from members.
Historical Dials
September 2016
Page 29
Page 29
Investigation into a vertical dial (SRN 2062) found on the Heritage Centre wall in Saltcoats. The current dial is a canted, south-facing replacement (by Douglas Hunt) of an older, storm-damaged dial, commemorating the church's turbulent history of being rebuilt multiple times after violent storms.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
September 2016
Page 31
Page 31
A brief note accompanying a postcard of the dial (SRN 0312) located on the south porch of St Mary the Virgin church, East Bergholt. The church is noted for its unique bell cage where the bells are rung without ropes.
Historical Dials
September 2016
Page 32
Page 32
Analysis of a pair of canted vertical dials on the Stadhuis in Gouda, Holland, focusing on a direct east-facing nodus dial. Although the direct south-facing dial shows minor discrepancies with the clock time, the east-facing dial's parallel lines meant to be constant-declination curves are considered seriously suspect and likely the result of bad restoration.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
September 2016
Page 36
Page 36
Features a photograph submitted by Margaret Ribchester (whose obituary appears on page 10) for the 2016 Photographic Competition. The image captures the 18th-century dial (SRN 0194) at Sizergh Castle, noted for its beautiful setting, and its apparent lack of hour lines.
Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
December 2016
Page 2
Page 2
Analysis of a 1667 cruciform dial by Padre D. Bartoli of Bologna, calibrated for latitude 44°. The author deciphered its complex deliniations, concluding it displays equal hours, unequal hours, Italian hours, and Babylonian hours. It functions as a standard altitude dial, likely using the lid or cross bars as a shadow caster.
Dials: Portable, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, How Sundials Work
December 2016
Page 8
Page 8
Details the multi-faceted sandstone sundial (SRN 1480) in Brechin, created by local sculptor James Tosh around 1900. It features 25 faces named after various cities. The postcard is useful as the BSS register notes a broken gnomon. The dial was gifted to Brechin from Edinburgh in 1961.
Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials
December 2016
Page 10
Page 10
An analysis of the life of Jeanie Crowley (1885–1965), who compiled eight sketchbooks containing drawings and descriptions of 216 West Country sundials. The article outlines her family life in Devon, details her methods using measuring rods and field glasses, and suggests further research into her life. She primarily focused on vertical dials.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
December 2016
Page 12
Page 12
A study of Joshua Springer (1732–1812), a prosperous Bristol mathematical instrument maker. Detailed analysis, including XRF metallurgy, is provided for one of his c. 1800 brass horizontal dials, showing London-style influence and local brass origin. Springer was also involved in freemasonry and unsuccessful ballooning plans.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
December 2016
Page 16
Page 16
Description of a restored west-declining vertical dial found at the Château de Chillon. Though the castle is associated with Lord Byron, enquiries confirmed the dial was designed much later in 1905 by cantonal archaeologist Albert Naef.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
December 2016
Page 20
Page 20
Summary of research uncovering a now-missing historic sundial near the Stonebeach in Old Hastings. Records mention maintenance from 1642. The author's ancestor, clockmaker Joseph Carswell, made a new brass gnomon (or 'cock') for the dial in 1746.
Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
December 2016
Page 21
Page 21
Investigation of a reconstructed sixteenth or seventeenth-century horizontal dial fragment (SRN 7171) found in Hastings. The fragment was recovered from a pit dating to the 1660s, confirming it could not be part of the historic Stonebeach dial discussed elsewhere.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
December 2016
Page 22
Page 22
Covers six historical sundials in East Fife documented by Thomas Ross. Examples include the Path House dial (formerly Dunnikier House), the Muckle Yett dial with seven faces including scaphe dials, and cube dials at Kellie Castle (1722) and St Mary’s College (1664).
Dials: Cube, Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Scaphe, Historical Dials
December 2016
Page 29
Page 29
Report covering talks from the 2016 Newbury Meeting. Highlights include John Bird dial investigation, Didsbury stained glass restoration updates, discussions on Wenger and Mojoptix dials, approaches to moon dials, modern sundial challenges, and the Easton Lodge restoration project.
Historical Dials, Restoration projects, Sundial Design & Layout, The BSS and Members
December 2016
Page 34
Page 34
Proposes a reconstruction of the 'lost' great decliner mural sundial at Ham House, dated 162- (likely 1622) and rediscovered in 1965. The dial, positioned 16° north of east, was hidden when the house was extended in 1674. It carries the motto VIGILATE.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Mottoes
December 2016
Page 37
Page 37
A brief follow-up noting that the foliage obscuring the Beaconsfield sundial, which had been cleared in April, had regrown significantly by September 2016, covering half of the dial. The issue was brought to the attention of the local Mayor.
Historical Dials
December 2016
Page 41
Page 41
Review of BSS Monograph 11, 'Somerset Scratch Dials: The original photographs of Dom Ethelbert Horne' by Tony Wood. The monograph reproduces 53 pages of astonishing quality photographs of mass dials taken by Horne between 1911 and 1915, complementing his 1917 catalogue.
Book Reviews, Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials
December 2016
Page 42
Page 42
Examines two unusual portable vertical dials. The first is a c. 1600 gilt brass south dial calibrated for five latitudes, featuring a string gnomon and lunar time calculations on the reverse. The second is a small square pillar dial (c. 1567, likely Ulrich Schniep) showing two declining vertical dials and planetary hour tables.
Dials: Portable, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
March 2015
Page 2
Page 2
Analysis of a medieval sundial, inaccessible to the public, found in the store-room of the acropolis of Lindos on Rhodes. Carved from white marble, the dial features a circular design with three time lines dividing daylight into four parts. Based on similarity to English examples and the four-division structure unique to Latin Europe, the article suggests Frankish influence and dates its creation to the 14th century for use by the Hospitallers.
Dials: Unusual, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
March 2015
Page 10
Page 10
A report surveying several sundials encountered across Madeira. These include David Brown's horizontal slate dial at Escola da Apel, two less impressive dials in Red Cross Square, a horizontal W. Page & Co. dial at Liceu de Jaime Moniz, a large analemmatic dial on the Funchal seafront, a direct south vertical dial by Sampaio E Mello, and a Brookbrae horizontal dial in Palheiro Gardens.
Dials: Analemmatic, Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
March 2015
Page 14
Page 14
A compilation of interesting sundials sold at auction throughout 2014. Notable lots include a universal equinoctial crescent dial by Johann Martin of Augsburg (ca. 1700), a small French garden dial by Pierre le Maire, a magnetic compass dial by William Fraser, a vertical slate dial by Bianchi, and a significant double horizontal dial by Henricus Wynne (ca. 1667/8).
Dials: Double Horizontal, Dials: Portable, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
March 2015
Page 17
Page 17
An announcement and review of Denis Savoie’s book, *Recherches Sur Les Cadrans Solaires* (2014). The work is praised for its extensive coverage of gnomonic topics, ranging from the ancient world to the modern, and for seamlessly integrating the history and underlying mathematics of dial work.
Book Reviews, Mathematics of Dialling, Historical Dials
March 2015
Page 18
Page 18
A detailed history and examination of a unique Scottish polyhedral sundial, made by Robert Weir for the Kirkhall estate in 1795. The massive sandstone dial, which originally featured complex adjustable metal apparatus, was moved multiple times by the local council, first to the Sunken Garden and subsequently to the Civic Centre.
Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
March 2015
Page 28
Page 28
A specialized study proposing a revised classification of Graeco-Roman sundial types based on literary sources (Vitruvius, Cetius Faventinus) and archaeological evidence, including newly identified examples.
Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout, Historical Dials, Dials: Scaphe
March 2015
Page 33
Page 33
The tenth installment surveying Edinburgh's sundials mentioned by Thomas Ross. Highlights include the restored two-faced vertical dial on John Knox's House and the multi-faceted Huntly House dial (a copy of a 1732 Archibald Handasyde dial). Other dials reviewed are found at West Kirk, Corstorphine Church, Liberton House, Hudson Cottage, and Brighton Park in Portobello.
Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
March 2015
Page 41
Page 41
Report detailing a long research trip (4250 km) to record five historical sundials in South Africa. The dials documented include the two vertical dials at Cape Town Castle (1787); the 1828 octagonal horizontal dial at Leliefontein, notable for its Etruscan numbering; and the 1831 horizontal slate dial at the Kuruman Mission station.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Mottoes
June 2015
Page 2
Page 2
This article describes a small, rare horary quadrant found near Chetwode, Buckinghamshire, in 2014. It is identified as a *quadrans vetustissimus*, designed for unequal hours, likely dating from the mid-13th century or later, and includes a shadow square.
Dials: Portable, Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling
June 2015
Page 8
Page 8
This explores the life and work of master mason William Aytoun (d. 1643), responsible for incorporating numerous sundials at Heriot’s Hospital in Edinburgh and Innes House in Morayshire. The article discusses similar dials potentially attributed to Aytoun, such as those at Peffermill House.
Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials
June 2015
Page 15
Page 15
An examination of the new glass sundial commissioned for the Pewterers’ Company Hall, which is a copy of a mid-17th century original by Richard Dutton. It suggests a possible full reconstruction of the original dial and its architectural surround based on historical descriptions.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2015
Page 18
Page 18
The author seeks identification for a distinctive type of unsigned ivory French diptych dials, c. 1620, characterized by blue and gold painting, town lists, and compass declinations suggesting 7° eastwards. They resemble Dieppe dials but may originate elsewhere in Normandy or Paris.
Dials: Portable, Historical Dials
June 2015
Page 31
Page 31
A report on sundials discovered during travels in India and Sri Lanka over three years. Finds include the Sanderson horizontal marble dial in Delhi, a Shimla bronze dial listing railway time, an analemmatic dial in Leh, and an unusual modern dial in Sri Lanka.
Dials: Analemmatic, Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
June 2015
Page 35
Page 35
A review of *La Mesure du Temps dans L’Antiquité* by Jérôme Bonnin, published in March 2015. The book deals primarily with Graeco-Roman sundials and revises traditional classification and terminology, with a chapter on mathematical challenges by Denis Savoie.
Book Reviews, Historical Dials
June 2015
Page 36
Page 36
Details the restoration work on a probable 17th-century brass dial found at Hole Park Gardens, Kent, originally identified by John Davis. The work involved straightening the warped plate, realigning the assumed replacement gnomon, cleaning the surface, and applying a mid-brown patina.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
June 2015
Page 37
Page 37
Short descriptive notes accompanying photographs showing the Hole Park dial prior to restoration, highlighting the heavily patinated and scratched dial plate which had been stretched into a convex shape by previous damage.
Historical Dials, Restoration projects
June 2015
Page 38
Page 38
Summarizes new entries to the Register reported in 2014, including historical dials across the UK (Glasgow, Norfolk, Wales, Yorkshire, Scotland), a Campbell–Stokes sunshine recorder in Madeira, and modern commemorative dials.
Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
June 2015
Page 41
Page 41
A comprehensive report on the conference sessions, including talks on Australian sundials, the history of Enid Blyton's dial, the Burlingham Sundial Trail, Mike Groom's heliochronometer, and site visits to Bromley House Library and Green's Mill.
Construction Projects, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
September 2015
Page 13
Page 13
A statistical study analysing the popularity of artistic images (Earth, Sun, Man, God, Water, Air, Fire) used as decorative elements on 339 British sundials. It categorises sundials into 'Decorative' and 'Functional', and discusses trends between 'old' (pre-1900) and 'modern' designs.
Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
September 2015
Page 17
Page 17
Report on the discovery and registration (SRN 7704) of a lighthouse sundial adjacent to the Esha Ness Lighthouse (60° 29.3′ N). It discusses the dial's distinctive fluted cast iron pedestal and its link to the famous Stevenson family of lighthouse builders.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
September 2015
Page 19
Page 19
Discusses Thomas Ross's sketches and descriptions of two sundials found in Berwick-upon-Tweed (Holy Trinity Church and the Old Bridge). The article explores the historical ambiguity of Berwick's status between Scotland and England and recent restorations of the dials.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
September 2015
Page 20
Page 20
Investigates small ivory diptych dials decorated with flowers or animals, dating to around 1720, possibly originating from Austria (latitude 46.6° N). Details common features, such as the style of the numeral '2', and suggests they were made for ladies due to their size and decoration.
Dials: Portable, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
September 2015
Page 22
Page 22
A novel analysis of a Roman portable altitude dial from Oxford’s Museum of the History of Science. It explores how the instrument determines unequal hours from solar altitude, discusses the underlying mathematical model, the use of latitude and declination scales, and provides an error analysis.
Dials: Portable, Historical Dials, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling
September 2015
Page 33
Page 33
Identifies the obelisk sundial (SRN 1184) located in the foreground of Kirktonhall, West Kilbride. The dial was designed by Robert Simson, who served as Professor of Mathematics at the University of Glasgow in the 18th century.
Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials
September 2015
Page 34
Page 34
An account of the finding and restoration of the memorial sundial dedicated to Rudolf Cecil Hopkinson (died 1917) at Ascension Parish Burial Ground, Cambridge. It includes the history of the prominent Hopkinson family and details the reconstruction and fitting of the simple scrolled brass replacement gnomon.
Dials: Vertical, Restoration projects, Historical Dials
September 2015
Page 40
Page 40
Discusses the Kirktonhall Creative Media Group project to create 3D images and small-scale copies of unique Scottish obelisk sundials for a rooftop garden archive. The author also playfully suggests a sundial-themed chess set using various famous Scottish dials.
Construction Projects, Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
September 2015
Page 42
Page 42
Analysis of the dialling and astronomical instruments depicted in Hans Holbein's 1533 painting, ‘The Ambassadors’. Instruments covered include the torquetum, shepherd’s dial, universal equatorial dial, horary quadrant, and polyhedral dial, noting potential artistic inaccuracies.
Dialling Tools, Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Portable, Historical Dials
September 2015
Page 47
Page 47
Provides historical documentation (recovered notes) confirming written evidence of a dial being purchased and "set on my bruge" (drawbridge) at Little Saxham Hall, Suffolk, in 1505, during the reign of Henry VII, predating Nicolaus Kratzer's popularisation of dials.
Historical Dials
December 2015
Page 5
Page 5
Recounts the life of Andrew Somerville, first Chairman of the BSS, known for cataloguing ancient Scottish polyhedral dials. It describes his talk on "symbolic" dials and the humorous anecdote surrounding the temporary snow obelisk dial he constructed.
Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
December 2015
Page 6
Page 6
An account of a trip through Germany, specifically Trier and the Moselle wine region, detailing visits to five sundials. Dials included the Trier market cross dial, the Cusanus glass dial in Bernkastel-Kues, and various vertical dials in Wehlen, Zeltingen, and Urzig.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
December 2015
Page 9
Page 9
Describes a postcard showing the Old Market Cross at Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, a Grade II listed building dating from circa 1600. It notes the dial's 19th-century origin, damage (bent gnomons), and need for restoration according to the BSS Register.
Dials: Vertical, Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials
December 2015
Page 10
Page 10
Investigates the horizontal dial shown in a 1908 watercolour by George S. Elgood, supposedly located at Raunscliffe Hall, Leicestershire. The mystery reveals that Elgood intentionally used misleading names for his own garden dial at 'The Cot, Markfield' to secure family privacy.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
December 2015
Page 12
Page 12
Includes three letters: Norbert Halama discusses his horizontal ‘Walton Hall’ dial; Alison Morrison-Low details James Clark’s horizontal Niddrie Marischal dial, now missing; Dennis Cowan updates on the failed Kirktonhall Project and clarifies the modern Dunphail obelisk dial's origin.
Dials: Horizontal, Construction Projects, Historical Dials
December 2015
Page 21
Page 21
Investigates several unsigned English brass dials, suggesting they might originate from the same provincial workshop around 1740. Discusses similarities between inclining dials and oval Butterfield dials, noting manufacturing irregularities in an octagonal dial.
Dials: Portable, Mathematics of Dialling, Historical Dials
December 2015
Page 32
Page 32
Details the successful search for the missing Polton House dial, originally sketched by Thomas Ross, which had been incorporated into a rockery. Parts of the dial (dating 1685 and 1672) were discovered and re-erected at Arniston House, Midlothian.
Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
December 2015
Page 35
Page 35
Describes a battered brass horizontal dial acquired via auction, dating to the 17th century based on inward-facing numerals and hammered plate thickness. Discusses its specialized cast gnomon and metallurgy, suggesting a Glasgow–Edinburgh origin.
Dialling Tools, Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
December 2015
Page 40
Page 40
Review of "The Sundial Page from Clocks Magazine" by Christopher St J. H. Daniel. This volume collects over 20 years of monthly essays on sundials, praised for its erudition, comprehensive index, and wide range of content on dials and related history.
Book Reviews, Historical Dials
December 2015
Page 44
Page 44
Analysis of a stone fragment found at a Benedictine monastery excavation, identified as a medieval vertical sundial. Its hour lines are nearly equiangular, suggesting monastic or temporal timing, and it is dated to the late 15th or early 16th century, before 1555.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling
March 2014
Page 2
Page 2
This paper analyses two ancient Greek conical sundials (3156 and 3157) recovered from the Dionysus Theatre. Since their gnomons are lost, geometric characteristics are used, alongside an assumed obliquity of the ecliptic, to calculate their geographical latitude and gnomon length. The calculated design latitudes (33° to 36°) suggest they may have been looted from other Mediterranean regions, rather than being built specifically for Athens (37° 58΄).
Dials: Scaphe, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling
March 2014
Page 8
Page 8
The article examines instances where sundials appear in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories. Typically, the sundials function as atmospheric features or reference points for leaving messages. The adventure 'The Musgrave Ritual' stands out, as it involves Holmes employing trigonometry to calculate solar altitude and shadow length to solve a coded riddle.
Historical Dials, How Sundials Work
March 2014
Page 10
Page 10
This report discusses two of Thomas Tompion’s rare horizontal sundials displayed at a symposium in California. Only ten Tompion dials are recorded; these included a square dial (c. 1705, latitude 50° 54') and the large circular former Wrest Park dial (c. 1700, adjustable for two latitudes).
Dials: Horizontal, Equation of Time, Historical Dials
March 2014
Page 22
Page 22
This review covers noteworthy sundials sold at auction in 2013. Highlights include a valuable ebony and ivory diptych dial by Thomas Tucher (1612, £20,000) and a fine late 17th-century silver dial by Henry Wynne (£6,875). Other instruments featured were a declinatory dial by Nicholas Bion and an oval Butterfield-type dial by Choizy.
Dialling Tools, Dials: Portable, Historical Dials
March 2014
Page 25
Page 25
This entry features a postcard depicting an octagonal horizontal dial, dated 1650, bearing the initials IF for Jonathan Fairbanks. The dial is located at Fairbanks House in Dedham, Massachusetts.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
March 2014
Page 32
Page 32
Research into a rare brass perpetual calendar attributed to Thomas Hogben (1702–1774), a surveyor and dialmaker from Kent. The instrument comprises three concentric disks engraved with dates, months, and astronomical signs, and features windows showing day length and sunrise/sunset times. Its construction around 1752 coincided with Britain's adopting the Gregorian calendar.
Dialling Tools, Historical Dials, How Sundials Work
March 2014
Page 35
Page 35
This article analyses two architectural drawings from 1942, likely academic work from the University of Vilnius. Although based on the octagonal Tower of the Winds in Athens, the designs delineate modern equal hours using noduses. They show detailed declining sundials for the location's latitude of 54°41′13ʺ, including declination lines for Zodiac signs.
Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
March 2014
Page 36
Page 36
A copper-alloy quadrant excavated in Zutphen is securely dated to c.1300–1320, pushing back the date of known equal-hour quadrants in Europe by nearly a century. The instrument is engraved with an altitude scale, date/declination arcs, and hour lines for equal hours, implying a design latitude of approximately 52.0° N. This find reflects the increasing need for standardised time linked to the spread of tower clocks.
Dials: Astrolabe, Mathematics of Dialling, Dialling Tools, Historical Dials
March 2014
Page 43
Page 43
John Lester inquires about further references to sundials in English literature beyond those by Lamb, Marvell, and Chaucer. Douglas Bateman reports that the brass meridian line at Bromley House, Nottingham, mentioned in a 1999 article, has been fully revealed during recent renovations.
Dials: Noon Lines, Historical Dials
March 2014
Page 44
Page 44
The author combines hillwalking trips in Scotland with sundial observation. Examples include the giant 35-foot gnomon-based dial at Attadale House (2009), a historic horizontal pedestal dial at Attadale made by Gilbert, Wright and Hooke (1794–1805), and a late 18th-century stumpy octagonal facetted dial at Glengarry Castle Hotel.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials
March 2014
Page 46
Page 46
This article describes the unexpected discovery of a substantial cube sundial at Snowshill Manor, Gloucestershire. The dial, constructed of Cotswold limestone and likely dating from 1722, was overlooked because it was built into a wall and had suffered severe erosion, losing its gnomons and delineation, making it resemble an ordinary gatepost.
Dials: Cube, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
March 2014
Page 48
Page 48
Review of "Katalog zegarów słonecznych" [A catalogue of sundials of the Przypkowski Museum in Jędrzejów, Poland], which lists the museum's complete collection of 378 sundials and related instruments. The collection began in the 19th century and was expanded by Feliks Przypkowski and later his son Tadeusz, who was a famous 20th-century Polish dialmaker.
Book Reviews, Historical Dials
June 2014
Page 2
Page 2
Discusses the evolution of terminology in dialling, particularly 'delineation' (functional hour lines) and 'furniture' (other elements like mottoes or mathematical additions). It traces the use of 'furniture' back to 17th-century dialling books by Brown and Leybourn, who viewed these additions as secondary to the basic hours.
Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling, Mottoes, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2014
Page 7
Page 7
Describes a 12-inch square decorative tile dial featuring an imaginative image of an ancient Greek astronomer (possibly Eratosthenes or Archimedes). Although intended as a vertical south dial, the delineation appears incorrect due to hour lines drooping below the horizontal, leading to a challenge for readers to find a valid orientation.
Dials: Unusual, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2014
Page 8
Page 8
Explores the rich decoration found on portable dials, often made of precious metals or ivory for wealthy clients. Examples include engraved hunting scenes, decorative lettering, book-form dials, and symbolic imagery like 'Old Father Time' and 'The Green Man'. Decoration frequently featured coloured waxes and detailed engraving.
Dials: Portable, Historical Dials, Mottoes, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2014
Page 15
Page 15
Notes the recent unveiling of blue plaques in Derby commemorating John Flamsteed, the first Astronomer Royal, and John Whitehurst FRS, a renowned clockmaker and sundial maker. It highlights their historical connection, as Whitehurst later occupied a house formerly owned by Flamsteed.
Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
June 2014
Page 21
Page 21
Describes the sundial located at The Rectory, Croft-on-Tees, the home of Lewis Carroll (Charles Lutwidge Dodgson). The extant dial, although corroded, is believed to be signed by Thomas Agar of York and features a substantial gnomon supported by unique pyramid supporters.
Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2014
Page 32
Page 32
Details the rediscovery of the Haddington Bowl, a unique 17th-century facet-headed dial described by Thomas Ross in 1892. It is a vase-form dial hollowed out to form an internal horizontal dial, featuring cup-hollows (scaphes) and faces acting as gnomons, despite suffering severe damage.
Dials: Scaphe, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
June 2014
Page 34
Page 34
Reviews the history and distribution of sundials in Russia since Peter the Great's reforms. It focuses specifically on solar obelisks, which are tall tetrahedral pyramids used as commemorative monuments, such as the memorable example established in the Trinity Lavra of St Sergius in 1792.
Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
June 2014
Page 39
Page 39
Features postcards illustrating Paul Manship’s decorative sundial, ‘Time and The Fates’, located at Sterling Forest Gardens in Tuxedo, NY. It also references a larger version exhibited at the 1939 New York World Fair, believed to be the world's largest sundial at the time.
Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2014
Page 44
Page 44
Documents the restoration of a vertical declining dial from All Saints’ Church, Isleworth (originally 1707), which was severely decayed and incorrectly delineated. The restoration included correcting mathematical errors and recreating unique features like solar altitude scales and time arcs for Jamaica, Jerusalem, and Moscow.
Dials: Vertical, Mathematics of Dialling, Restoration projects, Historical Dials
June 2014
Page 47
Page 47
Describes the tall, ornately decorated multi-faced sundial located in the rose garden of Saughton Park, Edinburgh. The upper parts, including four vertical circular dials and a decorative finial, date from the 17th century, while the lower supporting structure resulted from an 1899 restoration.
Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2014
Page 48
Page 48
Traces the evolution of decorative styles on English horizontal brass dials from the Tudor era through to the 19th century, contrasting the restrained 'London pattern' with provincial styles. It details decorative elements such as pierced gnomons, the use of oakleaf borders, and the introduction of the Equation of Time scales.
Dials: Horizontal, Equation of Time, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
September 2014
Page 2
Page 2
An investigation into two painted glass sundials in the windows of Convocation House at the Old Bodleian Library in Oxford, focusing on their history, appearance, dating, and the discovery that the south dial is incorrectly installed, facing the wrong way.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Restoration projects, Sundial Design & Layout
September 2014
Page 10
Page 10
Recounts the personal story of Edward Brown, a Yorkshireman who, after being made redundant, funded his own stonemasonry course and dedicated ten years (1981–1991) to restoring St Augustine’s Parish Church in Skirlaugh, including the repair of its vertical stone sundial.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Restoration projects, The BSS and Members
September 2014
Page 11
Page 11
Descriptions of three distinct sundials seen in Denmark: a Piet Hein helical sundial at Fredensborg Palace, a dated (1655) vertical declining dial in Helsingør, and a canonical dial dating to c. 1200 at Vestervig Kirke in Jutland, which indicates unequal hours for monastic prayers.
Dials: Unusual, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
September 2014
Page 17
Page 17
Details a magnificent polyhedral sundial in Marsden Park, Nelson, shaped as an icosahedron (20 faces). The dial is dated 1841 and is one of the first recorded in the BSS Fixed Dial Register (SRN 0003).
Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials
September 2014
Page 18
Page 18
Analysis of a rare 17th-century horizontal brass sundial by London maker Robert Jole, notable for being his only recorded gnomonic instrument. It includes Jewish (Halachic/seasonal) hour-lines, astronomical hours, and declination arcs, designed for a London latitude, catering to the needs of the early Jewish community.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling
September 2014
Page 24
Page 24
Research into a square, tapering stone pillar sundial at Eaton Hall, designed by Lutyens (1898) with dials by F. Barker & Son. The pillar has been moved multiple times on the estate and currently stands incorrectly orientated (rotated 180 degrees), despite expert advice.
Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials, Restoration projects, The BSS and Members
September 2014
Page 39
Page 39
A brief note identifying a large horizontal dial shown in a 1936 photograph as the one previously described by Roger Bowling, located at Liverpool Road Railway Station, Manchester. The photograph shows the dial being inspected as it was taken out of use.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
September 2014
Page 40
Page 40
Links the 500th anniversary of Rheticus' birth (Copernicus's publisher) to early sundials. Discusses a lost coloured stone gnomon ordered by Bishop Giese from Nicholas Kratzer in London (c. 1520), and Georg Hartmann’s ivory cross dial (1541) now in the British Museum, suggesting Hartmann’s paper cut-out cruciform dial (1529) may be the earliest of its type.
Dials: Portable, Construction Projects, Historical Dials
December 2014
Page 2
Page 2
This article describes a unique horizontal sundial/meridian instrument constructed by Claude Langlois in 1741 for Alexandre de la Rochefoucauld at the château de la Roche-Guyon. The instrument features a large brass box gnomon with a slit and seven eyelets, allowing the spots of light to correspond to significant dates, such as the solstices and the entry of the sun into zodiac signs.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Noon Lines, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
December 2014
Page 5
Page 5
A report detailing a trip to northern Brittany to view approximately 24 vertical slate dials, primarily located on churches and dating from 1570 to 1750. These dials are typically round and carved in relief, featuring decorative motifs like the sun and moon, and often use Arabic numerals. Specific examples shown include dials at Saint Herbot (1587) and Pleyben (1619).
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
December 2014
Page 11
Page 11
Tony Wood discusses canonical dials found in France and Spain that explicitly mark the prayer hours of Prime, Terce, Midi, Nones, and Vespers. Doug Bateman clarifies an error in a previous conference report, confirming that E. J. Dent made the improved machinery for the Greenwich time ball, while John Hardcastle designed a rare mean time dial.
Dials: Mass Dials, Equation of Time, Historical Dials
December 2014
Page 12
Page 12
This article examines Scottish mercat (market) crosses that incorporate sundials, such as those described by Thomas Ross. These are symbolic structures, often featuring multi-faced cube dials. Examples discussed include the Peebles cross (1662 cube sundial) and the Airth cross (1697). The author notes the common issues of relocation and subsequent restoration/damage.
Dials: Cube, Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials
December 2014
Page 20
Page 20
A detailed report on the restoration of a badly worn carved wooden vertical dial, dated 1765, found on Nazeing Church tower. Due to the dial's poor condition, a new chestnut wood replacement was crafted by Barrie Winter. The design analysis confirmed the motto “Meridies Solarium” and the inclusion of solar azimuth lines.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Restoration projects, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2014
Page 24
Page 24
The discovery and dating of a horizontal sundial at Littlecote House, made by George Adams Snr, instrument maker to George III. Analysis of the maker’s mark and the 'Æquation of Natural Days' table (which uses pre-1752 Julian calendar dates) helped date the dial to the 14-year period between 1738 and 1752.
Dials: Horizontal, Equation of Time, Historical Dials
December 2014
Page 27
Page 27
A summary of the Newbury BSS meeting, covering diverse topics including David Brown's talk on commission pitfalls and Kevin Karney's push for mean time dials incorporating the Equation of Time. Frank King reported on historical dials at the Bodleian Library. Attendees viewed the Druid helical mean-time dial at Bayford House Care Home.
Equation of Time, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout, The BSS and Members
March 2013
Page 2
Page 2
An in-depth study of how the Basilica of San Miniato al Monte was aligned to capture sunlight on key Christian feast days. The article explores the relationship between architecture, astronomy, and religious symbolism in medieval Florence.
Historical Dials, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
March 2013
Page 8
Page 8
A detailed investigation of a rare eighteenth-century sundial made by Thomas Wright for use in the West Indies. The author compares design features with other known examples and clarifies maker attribution through stylistic and documentary evidence.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
March 2013
Page 15
Page 15
An illustrated survey of several overlooked sundials at Barrington Court. The article documents their styles, inscriptions, and historical setting, adding new information to the site’s known dial heritage.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
March 2013
Page 16
Page 16
The author follows the traces of nineteenth-century architect Thomas Ross to rediscover forgotten Scottish sundials, including rare obelisk types near South Queensferry, with photographs and measurements.
Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
March 2013
Page 20
Page 20
A scholarly report on a fragmentary Greek sundial held in the Louvre. The authors discuss its geometry, probable use, and its place in the evolution of ancient dial types.
Dials: Astrolabe, Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Hemispherical, Historical Dials
March 2013
Page 24
Page 24
An account of the first international conference devoted to sundials, organised in Italy in the 1980s. Turner outlines its origins, participants, and its influence on dialling scholarship.
Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
March 2013
Page 25
Page 25
A review of a conference on Roman timekeeping instruments, summarising research on ancient dials, calendars, and astronomical devices.
Dials: Astrolabe, Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling
March 2013
Page 26
Page 26
A literary exploration of references to sundials in the works of Charles Dickens. The author interprets the dials as metaphors for time, mortality, and moral reflection in Victorian literature.
Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
March 2013
Page 28
Page 28
An account of a sundial whose gnomon and markings show evidence of multiple historical restorations. The author describes methods used to reveal earlier engravings and reconstruct its history.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
March 2013
Page 29
Page 29
A study of a medieval manuscript containing a drawing of an Indian circle diagram. Davis analyses the geometrical principles behind its time-telling method and its significance in medieval astronomy.
Historical Dials, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling
March 2013
Page 30
Page 30
An examination of a carved stone from Scotland believed to be a very early horizontal sundial. The article describes its discovery, measurements, and restoration.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
March 2013
Page 34
Page 34
A travelogue describing a route through southern France known as ‘La Route des Cadrans Solaires’. The author records and photographs numerous historic and modern painted dials with local inscriptions.
Dials: Unusual, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Mottoes
March 2013
Page 39
Page 39
A short report describing a newly found Scottish slate sundial of unknown maker. The author analyses its construction and markings and appeals for comparative examples.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
March 2013
Page 40
Page 40
A review of a monograph examining medieval Latin texts on sundial construction. James summarises its content, scholarly value, and relevance to the history of gnomonics.
Book Reviews, Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling
March 2013
Page 41
Page 41
A review of sundials sold at major auction houses during 2012. It lists significant instruments, their makers, sale prices, and remarks on market trends in dial collecting.
Dials: Double Horizontal, Dials: Portable, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
March 2013
Page 44
Page 44
A collection of letters discussing Society matters, mass-dial archives, and north-facing dials. Contributors debate historical interpretations and the future of BSS collections.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
March 2013
Page 45
Page 45
An illustrated study of a sixteenth-century slate sundial connected to the Boleyn family. Davis documents its restoration, symbolism, and stylistic features.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
June 2013
Page 2
Page 2
A philosophical and mathematical essay exploring the classical projections of the celestial sphere—orthographic, stereographic, and gnomic—and their relation to sundial design, astronomy, and the history of dialling geometry.
Dials: Analemmatic, Historical Dials, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling
June 2013
Page 5
Page 5
A report on the rediscovery of a medieval mass dial embedded in the vestry wall of Marton cum Grafton church. The article details its design, historical context, and connection to early English ecclesiastical dials.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
June 2013
Page 7
Page 7
A study of references to sundials and gnomonics in Pliny the Elder’s *Natural History*, examining Roman understanding of solar geometry, planetary motion, and the evolution of timekeeping in the ancient world.
Historical Dials, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling
June 2013
Page 8
Page 8
An analysis of William Cuningham’s 1559 book *The Cosmographical Glasse*, highlighting its astronomical diagrams, early depictions of sundials, and its significance for Renaissance scientific thought in England.
Historical Dials, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling
June 2013
Page 14
Page 14
An illustrated account of designing and installing a new bronze vertical sundial at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, featuring the Garter motto and a gnomon based on the Bray family’s heraldic ‘hemp press’.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Restoration projects, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2013
Page 23
Page 23
An exploration of dials incorporating the cruciform shape, tracing their symbolism, geometry, and examples across Europe, with commentary on their religious and artistic significance.
Dials: Unusual, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Mottoes
June 2013
Page 33
Page 33
Continuing the series on Thomas Ross, this article documents a restored sundial at Fettes College, Edinburgh, with photographs and analysis of its design and craftsmanship.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
June 2013
Page 35
Page 35
A detailed report on multiple sundials found at Glassmount, including a rare palimpsest gnomon showing evidence of successive historical restorations.
Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
June 2013
Page 36
Page 36
A short pictorial note on examples of ancient and modern sundials located in Beijing, illustrating the global reach of gnomonic design.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
June 2013
Page 37
Page 37
An analytical study of the marble zodiac design within the Florence Baptistry, explaining how it functions as an astronomical instrument marking the sun’s passage and key calendar dates.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling
June 2013
Page 41
Page 41
An exploration of collectible Fry’s Chocolate trading cards depicting historical sundials. The author traces their origins, artwork, and educational intent.
Historical Dials, Mottoes, The BSS and Members
June 2013
Page 42
Page 42
A discussion of inconsistencies in Roman numeral use on historical sundials, examining the mix of IIII and IV and what it reveals about dial-maker conventions.
Historical Dials, Mottoes, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2013
Page 44
Page 44
An illustrated technical report on restoring ornate scrolled gnomons from eighteenth-century dials, describing metalwork, conservation, and reinstallation.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
June 2013
Page 48
Page 48
A historical investigation into a sundial design that travelled between Holland and America, tracing its manufacture, inscriptions, and stylistic influences.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Portable, Historical Dials
September 2013
Page 6
Page 6
Detailed description and analysis of a solid white marble globe sundial from antiquity (c. 100 BC) found near Heraion. It uses the terminator (boundary of light and shadow) for time indication and features complex line systems representing hours, seasons, and zodiacal signs.
Dials: Hemispherical, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling
September 2013
Page 12
Page 12
Examines the feature of noon overlaps in sundials, contrasting with the usual gnomon gap. A much earlier example than modern proprietary dials is described: an 18th-century bronze dial by engraver D Coster (dated 1715) with an unusual overhanging gnomon that results in overlapping hour scales at noon.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, How Sundials Work
September 2013
Page 13
Page 13
A biography of Robert Palmer (1828–1868), schoolmaster and astronomer, and a survey of his known sundials. Details are given of three scientifically constructed dials: one lost from Riccarton Castle, the detailed Currie dial (1836) with noon markings for global locations, and the Kirkbean dial (1826) containing equation of time details.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual, Equation of Time, Historical Dials
September 2013
Page 19
Page 19
A description of the exquisite lead sundial installed on St David’s Chapel, Stormontfield, built in 1897 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. It is decorated with gilding and polished pebbles, featuring a pierced gnomon showing the royal monogram VR and the dates 1837/1897, alongside a Scottish motto.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Mottoes
September 2013
Page 25
Page 25
Examination of an intriguing three-piece artefact from 1675, attributed to R Smurthwaite, Bristol, possibly an amateur work. It consists of the Bristol Coat of Arms shield, a vertical dial with a hinged gnomon, and a topographical representation of the Earth with overseas locations, suggesting a possible nautical link.
Dials: Portable, Dials: Unusual, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
September 2013
Page 27
Page 27
Investigates two pseudo-antique sundials recently reported, falsely signed with variations of the 17th-century maker name Bladon and dated 1610 and 1655. Examination of features, mottoes (one invented in 1860), and catalogue evidence strongly suggests they were manufactured much later, possibly by Pearson Page, as fake antique pieces.
Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Portable, Historical Dials, Mottoes
September 2013
Page 27
Page 27
A description of the sundial at St Mary and All Saints Church, Conway, recorded from an early 1910 postcard. The dial, dated 1765 and signed by Mereidh Hughes, is still extant but heavily pitted. It is noted for its proximity to the gravestone that allegedly inspired Wordsworth's poem ‘We are seven’.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
September 2013
Page 38
Page 38
Investigation into a sundial featured in an Alfred Rawlings painting (1914), originally cited as being at Friar Park. The identical-looking dial was photographed at Reigate Priory in 1918, prompting inquiry into whether two versions existed or if the monument was transported between the two sites around the time of the First World War.
Historical Dials, Mottoes
September 2013
Page 40
Page 40
Detailed study differentiating ‘planetary hours’ from seasonal hours. Historically, planetary hours were defined by the time taken for 15-degree intervals of the ecliptic to rise (Sacrobosco’s definition), resulting in hours of unequal duration throughout the day, which are complex to delineate on sundials compared to the simpler seasonal definition.
Historical Dials, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2013
Page 2
Page 2
Describes a vertical direct south sundial made of ochre limestone found in workmen's huts in the Valley of the Kings, dated to the late 19th dynasty (ca. 1202–1190 BC). It discusses its dimensions, features, and the low precision inherent in ancient Egyptian temporal hours and canonical design.
Dials: Portable, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling
December 2013
Page 7
Page 7
Analysis of a slightly battered 9" diameter horizontal dial signed by George Bradford of London (w. 1817–1851), who was a mathematical instrument maker. The article discusses his association with his son Isaac, his addresses, and notes that the gnomon is not original.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
December 2013
Page 12
Page 12
Details the conservation work performed on an 18th-century sandstone dial (1793) at Christ Church in North Shields, which was declining 7°E. The process involved cleaning, removal of cement, consolidation using lime mortar and grout, weatherproofing, and gilding the copper-based gnomon.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
December 2013
Page 18
Page 18
A selection of recent additions to the Sundial Register, including a cuboctahedron (1823), a geographical dial (1720) by Robert Spurrell, the restored 'Smith Dial' (1858), a river bridge dial (1770), and various vertical, cube, and pillar dials across England and Scotland.
Dials: Cube, Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
December 2013
Page 20
Page 20
Discusses a postcard (postmarked 1903) showing a dial from St Deiniol’s Churchyard, Hawarden, Clwyd (SRN 6671), which is now missing. The dial was dated 1735 and signed "Geo: Jones del" and inscribed with the names of the church wardens.
Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
December 2013
Page 21
Page 21
Contains letters regarding: (1) a "three-plate" dial found at a pub in Goudhurst, Kent, signed Jas Smythe 1692, suspected to be a fake; and (2) a systematic procedure for levelling universal equinoctial dials using three adjusting screws.
Dialling Tools, Historical Dials
December 2013
Page 22
Page 22
Explores four magnificent 17th-century Scottish sundials documented by Thomas Ross: the complex multi-faced dials at Glamis Castle (stellar rhombicuboctahedron), Drummond Castle (obelisk, 1630), Holyroodhouse Palace (polyhedral, 1633), and the fountain/dial at Dundas Castle (lectern type, 1623).
Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Scaphe, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2013
Page 27
Page 27
Reports the location of the "Roy Grosvenor Thomas" stained glass sundial, previously considered lost. Designed for latitude 51.5° and declination 16° W, it is tentatively dated to 1652 and carries the motto *Tempus Edax Rerum*.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Mottoes
December 2013
Page 28
Page 28
A report on a rare, unfinished, broken stone horizontal dial found in the foundations of the Tudor gatehouse at Scadbury Park, Kent. Dated circa 1550, its calculated hour lines suggest delineation for a significantly higher latitude (possibly 56°) than its find location (51.4° N).
Construction Projects, Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling
December 2013
Page 34
Page 34
Explores the history and significance of lead Blackamoor and Indian figures supporting sundials in Georgian gardens, associating them with the wealth derived from the Atlantic slave trade. There is an inventory of known figures and their sculptors (John Nost I/II, Carpentiere, Cheere).
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
December 2013
Page 52
Page 52
Previews an exhibition of over 140 pocket dials (Renaissance to late 18th century) held in Paris. It describes three exceptional examples: a complex Humphrey Cole gilt-brass compendium (1579), a French diptych compendium (1608), and a universal equinoctial sundial by Richard Glynne (c.1720).
Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Portable, Historical Dials
March 2012
Page 1
Page 1
This article provides further research on Robert Stikford's manuscript 'De Umbris Versis et Extensis', pushing back its tentative dating from 1396-1401 to potentially the early last third of the fourteenth century based on newly uncovered records of his admission to holy orders.
Historical Dials
March 2012
Page 2
Page 2
This article investigates three London instrument makers named Samuel Saunders from the first half of the 18th century, with no direct family or professional relationships. It focuses on attributing gnomonic instruments to the correct maker through comparative analysis of signatures and engraving styles, and discusses specific horizontal dials.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
March 2012
Page 8
Page 8
This second part of the article investigates the Canterbury pendant, a 10th-century portable sundial. It compares its graphic layout with the Libellus de mensura horologii and the Roman cylinder dial of Este, exploring the use of two gnomons for different seasons and their relationship to hour curves.
Dials: Portable, Historical Dials, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling
March 2012
Page 13
Page 13
The author tests A.P. Herbert's idea of using a sundial "in reverse" for navigation during a flight to Australia in 1975. He describes making his own "sun clock" and recounts an encounter with a pilot familiar with Francis Chichester's navigation methods, highlighting the practical challenges of such a device.
Dials: Portable, Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout, DIY Sundial Projects, Historical Dials
March 2012
Page 14
Page 14
This article describes a walking tour of the 23 (or more) sundials in Saint-Hippolyte-du-Fort, France. It highlights attractive examples, including an equatorial dial, a church dial, and several made by local ceramic artist C. TINGAUD, noting features like 24-hour systems and Provençal mottoes.
Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Mottoes
March 2012
Page 17
Page 17
This article details a previously unrecorded 17th-century stained glass sundial. It's unusual for being a "great decliner" made for a latitude in the Scottish lowlands and for its unique motto, which suggests personal authorship rather than a known source.
Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, Mottoes, Dials: Stained Glass
March 2012
Page 18
Page 18
This article examines a medieval copper-based alloy device, found in Norfolk, which functioned as both a compass and a horologium. The fine engraving, including early Gothic lettering and 5° time subdivisions ("mileways"), suggests a 14th-century date and offers insights into medieval timekeeping and connections to local horology.
Dials: Portable, How Sundials Work, Historical Dials
March 2012
Page 27
Page 27
This entry features an undated postcard (c.1930) of a spherical dial at Lewes Castle. It references "The Book of Sun-Dials" (1900) which describes the broken and mended stone ball, noting its unknown history and questioning its current existence.
Dials: Hemispherical, Historical Dials
March 2012
Page 28
Page 28
This article investigates "longitude problems" on Scottish sundials from 1877-1913, including those by famous architects. The author discovers that the inscribed "longitude" is actually the time difference from Greenwich, making it more user-friendly for time telling and correcting previous assumptions about design errors.
How Sundials Work, Historical Dials
March 2012
Page 30
Page 30
This article discusses two 18th-century French artworks depicting ball sundials: Claude Gillot’s etching for a fable and Jean-Honoré Fragonard’s painting "Rêverie." It argues that while artistically unrealistic, these dials serve a narrative purpose by precisely indicating time to convey moral or emotional messages within their respective contexts.
Dials: Hemispherical, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
March 2012
Page 36
Page 36
This article examines how English church dials changed during the Reformation, contrasting the colorful, symbolic Catholic 360° dials with the minimalistic, functional Protestant 180° and 90° scratch dials. It uses dial data to inform historical debate on the pace and spread of Protestantism across England.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials, How Sundials Work
March 2012
Page 39
Page 39
This article reports on sundial sales and auction results from 2011, noting strong sales for higher-quality dials despite a depressed market. It details several interesting pieces, including a stone polyhedral dial, ivory diptych dials, equinoctial ring dials, quadrants, and a double horizontal dial.
Dials: Portable, Historical Dials
March 2012
Page 42
Page 42
This section features letters from readers discussing various sundial topics. Peter Drinkwater discusses dial transmission and an Islamic scratch dial. Tony Wood offers insights into the progress of "scientific" sundials. John Moir describes "Suburban Reflections" from his front garden.
How Sundials Work, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
March 2012
Page 43
Page 43
This article details the author’s investigation into the enigmatic scaphe dial at Hever Castle, often called the "Roman" sundial. It discusses its historical background, previous examinations by Ward and Vaughan, and the author's measurements and analysis, concluding it is likely an unworkable dial despite its ancient appearance.
How Sundials Work, Historical Dials, Dials: Scaphe
June 2012
Page 2
Page 2
This article details the historical Gaocheng Calendrical Observatory in China, focusing on its construction in 1276 AD by Guo Shoujing, its role in calendrical observations for the Yuan Dynasty, and its design principles for measuring solstices and equinoxes using a monumental gnomon. It also describes the 'shadow-definer' device used for accuracy and the methods for orientation and timekeeping.
Dials: Noon Lines, Historical Dials, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling
June 2012
Page 8
Page 8
This is the second part of a study on London sundial makers named Samuel Saunders. It identifies and attributes several equinoctial ring dials, a Butterfield dial, a plane table, and other instruments based on distinctive engraving styles and features.
Dials: Portable, Historical Dials
June 2012
Page 12
Page 12
This article presents and translates a c.1440 manuscript from Aberdeen University Library, which contains what may be the earliest known description of how to make a horizontal sundial in English. It details a simple geometric construction method, discusses the design's unique features, and explores the type of gnomon described, providing insight into early scientific dials in England.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2012
Page 17
Page 17
This article describes a unique direct south vertical slate sundial found in Wimborne Minster, made by clockmaker W.B. Kerridge. Its distinguishing feature is a system for displaying the Equation of Time and longitude correction using interchangeable 'FAST'/'SLOW' iron plates and possibly minute/second plates, resembling a cricket scoreboard, for public use.
Dials: Unusual, Dials: Vertical, Equation of Time, Historical Dials
June 2012
Page 18
Page 18
This addendum describes the German Sonnenkompass 41, issued to the Sonderkommando Dora unit in North Africa during WWII. Based on an analemmatic sundial, it featured removable dial plates for different latitudes and seasons, including German Summer Time adjustments. Despite its design, field reports deemed it unsuitable for desert use due to gnomon issues, leading to its obscurity.
Dials: Analemmatic, Dials: Portable, Historical Dials
June 2012
Page 22
Page 22
This article describes the Brunson Universal Sun Compass (Model 7637B), an elaborate US Army instrument developed in the 1950s. Its innovations included usability at all latitudes and a clockwork mechanism to counteract Earth's rotation, making it a valuable complement to magnetic/gyro-compasses for true azimuth determination in navigation and surveying.
Dials: Portable, How Sundials Work, Historical Dials
June 2012
Page 30
Page 30
This entry discusses a postcard depicting a sundial at Powerscourt's Italian Garden in Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow. The sundial, declining 50° E, bears the motto 'Horas Non Numero Nisi Serenas' (I only mark the sunny hours) and is listed in the Register as SRN 3933, showing hours only from 5am to 1pm.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Mottoes
June 2012
Page 31
Page 31
This article is the first part of a quest to track down and photograph sundials identified by Thomas Ross in his late 19th-century work. It focuses on Scotland's oldest dials, specifically three 16th-century examples at Cockburnspath, Oldhamstocks, and Seton Palace, and a fourth at Fogo, all similar in type and potentially forerunners to lectern dials.
Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
June 2012
Page 36
Page 36
This article analyses the scaphe sundial component found in Nuremberg ivory diptych sundials. It uses vectorial representation and measured photographic distances to determine the intended latitude for three examples, concluding that Reinmann and Miller's scaphes were likely designed for 49° latitude, and Lesel's for 48°, primarily for Nuremberg.
Dials: Scaphe, Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2012
Page 42
Page 42
This article describes Gabriel Stokes' innovative 1735 design for equinoctial ring dials, which incorporated a direct readout declination scale for latitude determination. By setting the suspension point to the correct solar declination for the day, travellers could directly read their geographical latitude, simplifying a process that traditionally required calculations.
Dials: Portable, How Sundials Work, Historical Dials
June 2012
Page 44
Page 44
This article investigates a spherical sundial in the 'Palais Farnèse', Rome, questioning its Roman origin due to its perfect state of conservation and lack of gnomon hole. It hypothesises the dial is an 18th or 19th-century copy of a Roman original, potentially with a symbolic rather than functional purpose related to the palace's 'Trophées Farnèse' compositions about Time.
Dials: Scaphe, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
June 2012
Page 48
Page 48
This report summarises the British Sundial Society's annual conference in Cheltenham. It covers various talks including Allan Mills on the Gaocheng Observatory, Kevin Karney on sundial software, Johan Wikander on Norwegian horizontal dials, and presentations by David Brown and Tony Moss on their dial designs. The conference also featured a discussion forum on the Society's future and a tour of local dials.
DIY Sundial Projects, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout, The BSS and Members
September 2012
Page 2
Page 2
This article examines a 2-metre tall triangular monolith at Gardom’s Edge, Peak District, suggesting it was intentionally erected and astronomically aligned in the late Neolithic/early Bronze Age. It highlights how the stone's north-facing side would be illuminated during the summer, serving as a seasonal marker for ancient communities.
Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, How Sundials Work, Sundial Design & Layout
September 2012
Page 6
Page 6
A letter speculating on the origins of the Hever Castle Dial, proposing it was a Sicilian-modelled Roman sundial made for a Northern European patron.
Sundial Design & Layout, Historical Dials
September 2012
Page 8
Page 8
This article explores Henry Sutton's quadrant, which utilises a stereographic projection of the sky onto the equatorial plane, initially conceived by Thomas Harvey. It details the instrument's design, including scales for time-telling and other astronomical problems, and provides instructions for its use, such as finding the time at night using stars.
How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling, Historical Dials
September 2012
Page 15
Page 15
This entry describes a multi-dial sundial located at the Sidney Hill Cottage Homes in Churchill, Somerset, dating from 1907. It notes that the dial is situated within private grounds, making it inaccessible to the public, and speculates on the presence of east, north, and west dials based on an old postcard from 1929.
Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials
September 2012
Page 16
Page 16
This article details two sundials at Craigiehall: a 4-metre high obelisk dial, restored in 1965 after being found in fragments, and a horizontal brass dial by John England, dating from 1702-1714. The obelisk is unique due to an 18th-century globe base, while the horizontal dial features an Equation of Time table and armorial devices.
Dials: Multi Faced, Equation of Time, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
September 2012
Page 19
Page 19
The article discusses the scarcity of mass dials in larger towns and on ruins of abbeys and priories, noting only two found on cathedrals so far, both in Yorkshire: one on York Minster and another inside Sheffield Cathedral. It describes the Sheffield Cathedral's mass dial and a larger, now largely hidden, scientific dial beneath the clock.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials
September 2012
Page 21
Page 21
This brief piece features an early Netherlandish image, dating from the late 16th century, which combines a lantern clock and a sundial. It serves as a visual reminder that clocks merely indicate time, whereas sundials actively find time, subtly suggesting the clock's potential inaccuracy compared to the sundial.
Historical Dials, How Sundials Work
September 2012
Page 22
Page 22
This article reports the brief reappearance of a 1634 slate equatorial dial by John Bonar, originally from Loudon Castle, Scotland, at a German auction. Unsold, it subsequently disappeared from public view. Despite missing its gnomon and moon volvelle, the dial is considered an important artefact of early Scottish dialling, featuring detailed engravings.
Dials: Equatorial, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
September 2012
Page 23
Page 23
This article describes a mysterious Dutch manuscript from 1670-75 containing over 40 drawings and calculations for sundials, including elaborate polyhedral designs. It features designs attributed to Benjamin Braemers and a complex lectern polyhedral dial similar to Scottish examples, challenging readers to construct a 3D model.
Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
September 2012
Page 28
Page 28
This entry describes a multiple scaphe dial at Upton Manor Farm, tentatively attributed to Edmund Gunter, featuring 29 or 30 individual dials crafted from Ketton stone. Located in an orchard, the property was once owned by Bishop Thomas Dove and is noted for its complex, original delineation.
Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Scaphe, Historical Dials
September 2012
Page 29
Page 29
This article details the rediscovery of a mid-17th century glass sundial at Tyttenhanger mansion, Hertfordshire, designed for Sir Henry Blount's arms and a 13-14 degree declination. It bears the motto "Lumen Umbra Dei" and is compared to similar dials by John Oliver, suggesting Oliver as its likely maker despite earlier attributions to Henry Gyles.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Mottoes
September 2012
Page 32
Page 32
This entry features an 1842 etching of the Old Meeting House, Norwich, depicting a vertical sundial that dates the building to 1693. The sundial, which has undergone refurbishment and regilding, is noted for its unusual hour-line shape and the building's historical significance as one of the country's oldest non-conformist places of worship.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
September 2012
Page 36
Page 36
This article describes the excavation of a fragment of a medieval equinoctial (equatorial) dial at St James’s Priory, Bristol. Dated pre-1540 and likely late 14th/15th century due to the use of Arabic numerals, it is a significant find that reinforces awareness of early scientific dials in Europe, and is believed to be one of the oldest in Britain.
Dials: Equatorial, Historical Dials
September 2012
Page 40
Page 40
This entry describes a drawing of a cylinder (or shepherd's) dial by Hans Holbein the Younger, dating from 1532-1543. It is speculated that the image depicts a real dial either made by or planned by Nicholas Kratzer, Holbein's contemporary and Henry VIII's horologist. The drawing's cut-out nature and right-to-left month inscription are notable features.
Dials: Portable, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
September 2012
Page 43
Page 43
This article details two 19th-century drawings by Charles Robert Cockerell of Greek sundials, possibly newly excavated. One depicts an unknown classical conical dial with "lion legs" and the other illustrates a rare planar, vertical east-facing dial from Delos, which later came to reside in the Louvre, recording significant ancient finds.
Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
December 2012
Page 2
Page 2
This article details the history and journey of a Henry Moore sundial, from its 1965 commission for The Times in London to its re-alignment in Schwäbisch Hall, Germany. It covers the creation of models, its sale, damage, recovery after theft in 2012, and precise re-installation, highlighting its remarkable travels and survival.
Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, Restoration projects, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2012
Page 5
Page 5
The article describes a 1591 horizontal sundial from Haddon Hall, Derbyshire, now in the Hall museum. Likely made by a clockmaker to regulate an early clock, the 300mm diameter dial displays hours and half-hours with its delineation origin correctly centred, correcting a historical misrepresentation in a previous sketch.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
December 2012
Page 6
Page 6
This third part traces sundials attributed to 17th-century Scottish stonemason James Gifford, following Thomas Ross's research. It examines various cube-and-sphere dials in West Linton and Newhall House, as well as the intricate multi-faceted dial at Lennoxlove, detailing their designs, numerals, and historical context within the Scottish Borders region.
Dials: Cube, Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2012
Page 9
Page 9
This article discusses lichens on stone sundials, defining them as symbiotic organisms and classifying their external forms. It explores their slow growth, substrate preferences, reproduction, and sensitivity to pollution. The author considers whether lichens enhance antiquity or are a disfigurement, touching on removal methods for restorers.
Historical Dials, Restoration projects
December 2012
Page 12
Page 12
The article examines unusual 18th-century equatorial dials by Gerhard Kloppenburgh and Gerhard Cremer, made of gold-plated brass. It details their summer and winter sides, including hour lines, zodiac signs, and global noon times. The author discusses peculiar reversed Roman numerals, possible origins in northern Germany, and an anomaly in numeral thickness.
Dials: Equatorial, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2012
Page 17
Page 17
This entry discusses an undated postcard featuring a Dolland sundial in St Peter's churchyard, Bexhill, recorded as missing its gnomon. The image, by A. D. Hellier (1909-1938), shows the gnomon and an intriguing arc above it, raising questions about its purpose—whether support, another dial, or for raising the stone.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
December 2012
Page 18
Page 18
This article details a small, robust lead sundial, 51.5mm in diameter, found in the River Avon at Barford. Dated between the late 16th and late 17th centuries, its equi-angular, anticlockwise numbered hour-lines suggest a vertical dial, possibly an attempt at an equal-hour dial by a provincial artisan lacking scientific knowledge, with possible initials C W.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2012
Page 21
Page 21
The article describes a 6ft high red sandstone cubic sundial atop an 8ft standing stone north of Luncarty, Perth & Kinross. Situated in a field, the dial's numerals and hour lines are indistinct, but gnomon holes are visible. Its century-long presence and origins remain a mystery.
Dials: Cube, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
December 2012
Page 22
Page 22
This article discusses mass dials on the north side of churches, specifically at Litlington and Firle in East Sussex. While a south-facing dial at Litlington is an early scientific dial, two north-facing mass dials, initially puzzling, were observed to work perfectly for evening use in summer, suggesting intentional placement.
Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, How Sundials Work
December 2012
Page 23
Page 23
This article details a project to map over 500 excavated Greco-Roman sundials across the Roman Empire using GIS. It describes georeferencing historical maps, digitising province boundaries, and creating a database to display sundials by location, type, shape, and period, thereby analysing them in their geographic context.
Sundial Design & Layout, Historical Dials
December 2012
Page 26
Page 26
This article reports on nine previously unrecorded or undocumented sundials. Highlights include a 1723 vertical dial at Windsor Castle, a Scottish-style cube dial at Restoration House, a pre-1752 horizontal dial by John Davis of Windsor, and various vertical, geographical, and unusual fixed horizontal analemmatic dials across England.
Dials: Cube, Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
December 2012
Page 34
Page 34
This article describes the restoration of a 19th-century Negretti & Zambra noon cannon sundial. The author recreated missing brass parts, noting design anomalies like incorrect latitude calibration and an inappropriate date scale. The true maker and date remain uncertain, highlighting the common practice of firms selling goods made by others.
Dials: Noon Lines, Historical Dials, Restoration projects, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2012
Page 36
Page 36
This report details the British Sundial Society's 2012 safari to Catalonia, covering visits to numerous sundials across Girona, Cabrils, Figueres, Barcelona, and other towns. Members explored diverse dials, including modern pillar dials, Salvador Dali's carved stone dial, multi-faceted and unusual museum pieces, showcasing the region's rich gnomonic heritage.
Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
December 2012
Page 40
Page 40
This article revisits the Celtic Quartet of medieval mass dials, noting their unusual carving on separate stones. It introduces a newly discovered, similar slate dial from Vardøhus, Norway, dated 1480–1550, expanding the Quartet to six or seven examples and highlighting historical maritime trade connections between the regions where these dials are found.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Portable, Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials
December 2012
Page 41
Page 41
This entry describes a modern sundial from 1843 in the courtyard of the Mosque of Uqba (Great Mosque of Kairouan) in Tunisia. Engraved in Arabic script on a marble slab, it was designed by Almed Essoussi, inspired by Ibn al-Shatir's dial. It uses four separate point gnomons to indicate prayer times.
Dials: Unusual, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
March 2011
Page 2
Page 2
This article details the restoration of a Tudor sundial at Stutton Hall in Suffolk. It covers the history of the house and dial, archaeological findings suggesting its originality, and the methods used for cleaning, realigning the gnomon, and repainting based on known Tudor designs.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Restoration projects, Sundial Design & Layout
March 2011
Page 5
Page 5
This entry briefly describes the multiple dial at Mount Melville, Scotland, identifying it as a rhombic cubo-octahedron rotated by 45 degrees, based on information from Gatty.
Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
March 2011
Page 6
Page 6
This article explores the symbolic meanings of sundials in antiquity, drawing on literary and epigraphical evidence from the Greco-Roman world. It also introduces ancient timekeepers, including clepsydra and various types of horologia, and discusses the differences between Greek and Roman dials.
How Sundials Work, Historical Dials
March 2011
Page 12
Page 12
An Austrian tourist investigates the mystery of London's 'Seven Dials' monument. The article details the history of the area, the original Doric pillar with six sundials erected in 1693/94, its removal in 1773, its relocation to Weybridge, and the eventual erection of a new column with seven dials in 1989.
Dials: Multi Faced, Restoration projects, Historical Dials
March 2011
Page 14
Page 14
This entry briefly mentions the Holyrood Palace dial (SRN 1490), dating from 1633 and made by John Mylne, noting its basis on an icosahedron, a Platonic solid with 20 identical faces.
Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials
March 2011
Page 15
Page 15
This article describes an equatorial sundial at Weston-under-Penyard, initially believed to be 17th-century due to its inscription. The author's investigation, including a 1932 sales receipt and a Christie's report, reveals it was made by Pearson Page in the early 20th century, highlighting the importance of provenance.
Dials: Equatorial, Historical Dials
March 2011
Page 17
Page 17
This article describes a polyhedral dial from Captain Samuel Sturmy's 1679 'The Mariners Magazine'. It's a rhombic cubo-octahedron dated 1667, said to have 27 individual dials, and features an unusual globe dial showing stars. The dial's current whereabouts are unknown.
Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials
March 2011
Page 22
Page 22
This article describes the reconstruction of Ludwig Hohenfeld’s 1596 polyhedral sundial, a 26-sided rhombic cubo-octahedron, using distorted photographs and image editing software. It details the process of rectifying the faces and analyzing the sundials inscribed on them to estimate the design latitude.
Dials: Multi Faced, Sundial Design & Layout, Construction Projects, DIY Sundial Projects, Historical Dials
March 2011
Page 27
Page 27
This article delves into the history of Ludwig Hohenfeld’s 1596 polyhedral sundial, identifying the maker and recipient (Prince Johann Friedrich of Württemberg). It also explores the rich symbolism of the images and maxims on the dial's faces, which convey themes of time and education.
Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials, Mottoes
March 2011
Page 31
Page 31
This entry describes a Saxon dial on Corhampton Church, Hampshire, one of four similar octaval dials in the area. The author wonders if they were products of a regional sundial-making business, noting their division of the day into eight periods based on tides.
Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
March 2011
Page 36
Page 36
This article revisits previous estimates of scratch dial loss, incorporating dial age structure to provide more precise understanding of historical and future loss dynamics. It analyzes the impact of rebuilding and weathering, noting weathering's increasing dominance over time and the implications for conservation.
Restoration projects, Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials
March 2011
Page 39
Page 39
This article describes a collection of miniature crested 'Goss' china sundial ornaments produced from the 1880s. These decorative horizontal dials, typically featuring local heraldic arms, were collected as souvenirs and are now considered rare treasures, despite often having incorrect hour-line delineations.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Portable, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
March 2011
Page 41
Page 41
This article reviews notable sundials and related instruments sold at auction in 2010, including a silver pocket compass dial by Richard Glynne, a double inclining string gnomon dial by Jacques Le Maire, Japanese scaphe dials, and an ivory and silver compass dial by Elias Allen.
Dials: Portable, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
March 2011
Page 45
Page 45
This article highlights three 'unique' sundials found in a collection of photographs, encouraging readers to identify similar features. It discusses a two-faced prism dial, a vertical dial with a bent gnomon, and a direct south dial with an unusual inscription, emphasizing the individuality of pre-mass production dials.
Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Unusual, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
March 2011
Page 46
Page 46
The author discusses the calculation of angles for polyhedral dials, drawing on historical texts like William Leybourn’s 'Dialling'. It covers Platonic and Archimedean solids, methods for finding dihedral angles, and illustrates how these concepts can be applied to sundial construction.
Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2011
Page 8
Page 8
This article describes a unique 17th-century horizontal quadrant by Henry Sutton, detailing its stereographic projection, various scales for altitude, azimuth, time, and astronomical functions. It explains how the instrument, acting as a mechanical analogue computer, finds time from the sun's altitude.
Dialling Tools, Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling
June 2011
Page 13
Page 13
This article discusses the discrepancy in the number of war memorial sundials identified by the British Sundial Society and the Imperial War Museum. It applies a probability theorem to estimate the number of unfound dials and lists several previously unrecorded examples in churches.
Historical Dials
June 2011
Page 14
Page 14
This chronicle by a founding member of the BSS details his career at the National Maritime Museum, his early involvement with sundials, and his experiences designing notable dials like the 'Dolphin' sundial for the Queen's Silver Jubilee, leading up to the formation of the BSS.
Sundial Design & Layout, Construction Projects, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
June 2011
Page 20
Page 20
This article explores the military use of solar compasses, particularly during World War II, for navigation in unmapped desert terrains. It describes several models, including the Burt, Abrams, Cole Universal, Bagnold, and Union Observatory sun compasses, highlighting their principles and operational advantages.
Dials: Analemmatic, Dials: Portable, Dialling Tools, Historical Dials
June 2011
Page 25
Page 25
This letter provides additional information on Scottish polyhedral dials, specifically clarifying the history of Queen Mary’s Dial at Holyrood Palace and providing an update on the Mount Melville Multiple Dial's restoration plans after its removal for safekeeping.
Dials: Multi Faced, Restoration projects, Historical Dials
June 2011
Page 26
Page 26
This note describes the discovery of the 'missing' John Rowley azimuth dial from Blenheim Palace, which was identified on a new passport design. It details the dial's distinctive features and its reinstallation in 2008.
Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members, Dials: Double Horizontal
June 2011
Page 26
Page 26
This article details the rediscovery and reinstallation of a lost John Rowley azimuth and equation of time dial from Blenheim Palace. It describes its unique features, including the deep double-ogee rim and specific gnomon design, and its historical significance.
Dials: Unusual, Equation of Time, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
June 2011
Page 36
Page 36
This article argues that medieval 'scratch dials' were serious timekeepers, not just symbolic. It describes their basic form, historical context of temporal hours, and connections to early Church observances and Islamic prayer times, asserting their utility at high latitudes.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling
June 2011
Page 43
Page 43
Gordon Taylor describes challenges in orienting the Seven Dials monument. John Foad, the Registrar, corrects the number of war memorial dials in the BSS Register, increasing the total and, consequently, the estimated number of unfound dials using Tony Wood's formula.
Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
June 2011
Page 48
Page 48
This article describes the restoration of a 1738 vertical declining Swithland slate sundial at St Nicholas’ Church, Leicester. It details the process of in-situ gilding of the numerals and lines, using specific materials and techniques for durability, and notes a previous gnomon replacement in 1896.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
June 2011
Page 51
Page 51
This piece reports on two horizontal sundials found in the West Indies. One at Nelson's Dockyard, Antigua, dated 18th-century and signed Gregory & Wright London, provides new information on makers' interconnections. Another by Henry Pyefinch in Barbados is also mentioned.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
June 2011
Page 54
Page 54
This article describes the discovery and analysis of a 17th-century Scottish polyhedral sundial boss found in Hertfordshire. It establishes the boss's authenticity, its Mylne family provenance, and uses geometric analysis and inscriptions (Acra, Tangier) to date it before 1684, suggesting it's a significant missing link.
Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling
September 2011
Page 2
Page 2
This article discusses the excavation of a quadrant fragment in Norfolk in 2009, initially misidentified as an astrolabe plate. Further investigation suggests it's a hybrid device combining features of a quadrans vetus and a Gunter's quadrant, leading to questions about its medieval origins despite Gunter's later development of his eponymous instrument.
Dials: Portable, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
September 2011
Page 10
Page 10
This is the second part of an article exploring the use of sundials and solar compasses in military contexts. It describes instruments like the Marean-Kielhorn Director, Howard Sun Compass, Evans-Lombe, Richards, and Micklethwait sun compasses used by Allied forces. It also details German sun compasses, particularly the C. Plath device used by Rommel's Afrika Korps, and the astrocompass, discussing their applications and limitations in wartime navigation.
Dials: Portable, How Sundials Work, Historical Dials
September 2011
Page 15
Page 15
This short article shares a postcard of a low-angle sundial at English Harbour, Antigua, previously discussed by John Davis. The author notes that the postcard, likely from the 1970s, offers another view of this dial, and references a related article about another low-latitude dial.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
September 2011
Page 16
Page 16
This article reviews ancient Egyptian timekeeping, debunking obelisks as gnomons and a Cairo Museum artifact as a sundial. It focuses on the ‘sloping’ or ‘inclined plane’ portable, seasonal-hour altitude dials, such as the Qantara dial, and earlier L-shaped 'shadow sticks' from the New Kingdom, discussing their construction, use, and the challenges in interpreting their time-telling functions.
Dials: Portable, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, How Sundials Work
September 2011
Page 20
Page 20
This article examines the evolution of English mass and scratch dials between c.1250 and c.1650, linking changes in their appearance to the Reformation. It argues that understanding these dials requires interpreting them within their contemporaneous religious and iconographic contexts, highlighting the dramatic shift from elaborate Catholic church decoration to Protestant minimalism, which significantly impacted dial design around 1500.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials, How Sundials Work
September 2011
Page 22
Page 22
This article describes a souvenir Coronation dial in Painswick, commemorating King George VI's coronation in May 1937. The bronze garden dial, 8 inches in diameter, features a gnomon of 52° and the royal coat of arms. Its location at The Royal Oak pub and its 74-year survival are noted, along with the author's personal challenges in photographing it.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
September 2011
Page 23
Page 23
This report details the recovery of a stolen large double horizontal dial by Daniel Delander from Stanford Hall, thanks to Polish dialling enthusiast Maciej Lose. The dial, catalogued as DH-17, SRN 3607, is a high-quality instrument with Equation of Time scales and geographical place names. The article also mentions Delander's apprenticeship under Thomas Tompion, suggesting close working relationships between notable clockmakers.
Equation of Time, Historical Dials, Dials: Double Horizontal
September 2011
Page 24
Page 24
This article, the second part of an examination of the Great Amwell Scottish Renaissance Obelisk Dial Boss, details the archaeological record and incised marks found on its planar and scaphe dial facets. It identifies ten types of marks, including hour lines, solstice/equinox lines, numerals, and place names, discussing the sophisticated design and stonecutting, and determining an optimum latitude of around 55.5° N.
Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials
September 2011
Page 28
Page 28
This report summarises the British Sundial Society's highly successful 2011 annual conference at Wyboston Lakes, attended by nearly 20% of its members. It covers various presentations, including Allan Mills on sun's position, Tony Moss on dial manufacture, Johan Wikander on a Norwegian soapstone dial, Fred Sawyer on Jean Picard's large dial layouts, and John Davis on the diffusion of scientific dials.
Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout, The BSS and Members
September 2011
Page 36
Page 36
Peter Ransom discusses a 9-inch brass horizontal dial, signed 'Parnell, London,' which he acquired online. The dial, optimized for a latitude of approximately 16.05° N (suggesting a potential link to Guadeloupe), features hours from 6 am to 6 pm, half and quarter-hour marks, and a central compass rose. The gnomon was detached upon acquisition and later restored.
Dials: Horizontal, Restoration projects, Historical Dials
September 2011
Page 37
Page 37
This section compiles several letters from readers. Michael Lowne provides a complex formula for calculating shadow length from gnomon angle. Chris Williams praises Peter Drinkwater's article on scratch dials, linking them to medieval manuscripts. Peter Drinkwater responds on the transmission of scratch dial technology and the function of water clocks. David Young corrects a historical detail about BSS conference venues.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling, The BSS and Members
September 2011
Page 45
Page 45
This second part examines the scales and uses of a 1658 horizontal quadrant by Henry Sutton, collaborating with John Collins. It details the matched sine and tangent scales for astronomical calculations, star positions for night-time finding, calendar tables for moon age and high water, and shadow/quadrat scales for measuring building heights. It also provides biographies of Collins, Dary, and Sutton, highlighting their roles in 17th-century London's mathematical community.
How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling, Historical Dials
December 2011
Page 2
Page 2
This article summarises the author's attempt to create a clear and correct edition of an ancient text, previously attributed to Bede, on constructing an altitude dial. The findings provide new insight into the famous ‘Canterbury pendant’ and suggest it was made more correctly than previously believed. The text describes a pendant altitude dial, possibly hexagonal, working like a cylinder dial, with specific dimensions and a calendar system.
Construction Projects, Dials: Portable, Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling
December 2011
Page 10
Page 10
This report covers the British Sundial Society's 2011 safari to the Sarthe and Perche regions of France, based in Le Mans. The group visited various sundials, historical sites, and chateaux, including a specific mean-time dial in Le Mans and other vertical and mass dials in surrounding villages. The trip offered cultural experiences and opportunities to meet fellow enthusiasts.
Dials: Vertical, Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Equatorial, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
December 2011
Page 14
Page 14
This article reports on a sundial festival at Gatchina Palace, St Petersburg, which included the unveiling of a replica historical sundial and an exhibition. The replica dial indicates true solar time according to 18th-century standards, based on historical photos and other archival material for restoration. The event celebrated the return of the sundial to its historical place after almost 80 years.
Sundial Design & Layout, Restoration projects, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
December 2011
Page 16
Page 16
This article details the restoration of a pinhole sundial at the Certosa of Florence. The meridian line served as a calendar and true local noon marker. Investigations revealed inconsistencies, leading to the conclusion that the dial correctly determined the spring equinox, vital for calculating Easter, reflecting its religious institution setting. Historical interventions, possibly by astronomer G.B. Donati, are also discussed.
Dials: Noon Lines, Equation of Time, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
December 2011
Page 22
Page 22
This short piece describes a stump-work mirror frame from about 1650 in Montacute House, Somerset, which features an image appearing to be a declining west sundial. It possibly represents a dial found on the house itself. Little else is known about this embroidered dial, highlighting an unusual artistic representation of a sundial.
Dials: Unusual, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
December 2011
Page 23
Page 23
This article describes a newly erected 180 cm high granite sundial in the Irish National Heritage Park, Ferrycarrig, weighing over 2 tonnes. Modelled on ancient monastic sundials, its temporal lines were designed to mark canonical prayer times rather than passing hours. Only twelve such ancient monastic sundials survive, making this reconstruction an important addition.
Construction Projects, Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
December 2011
Page 24
Page 24
This article discusses Robert Stikford, a 14th-century monk from St Albans, credited in Whethamstede’s Granarium (c.1430) with inventing the equal-hour sundial. His rediscovered extensive Latin treatise, 'De Umbris Versis et Extensis', describes geometric constructions for projecting shadow positions and includes tables for Oxford’s latitude. It showcases detailed designs for various vertical dials, revealing sophisticated early European scientific dialling.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2011
Page 29
Page 29
This article explores the original appearance and symbolic meaning of medieval Catholic mass dials, arguing they were vibrantly coloured and rich in symbolism, unlike their current monochrome remnants. It suggests symbolism, such as the sun representing God's light or 360-degree dials signifying day and night, was often more important than time indication, reflecting the deep religious context of the era.
Sundial Design & Layout, Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials
December 2011
Page 38
Page 38
This article describes the author's quest to find and document sundials in Newstead, Scotland, following Thomas Ross's 19th-century account. It details several discoveries, including a cube dial, a semi-cylindrical dial, and other single-faced dials, some in private gardens, highlighting their historical significance and the challenges of locating them. The search continues for missing dials or fragments.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
December 2011
Page 41
Page 41
This article discusses a polyhedral dial from Loudoun Castle, Scotland, that was restored and controversially painted in the 1990s using 17th-century colours. The paint was later removed, and the lines re-engraved. The author expresses concern that the dial's current location at Jodrell Bank Observatory is unknown, raising questions about the preservation and tracking of historical sundials.
Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
December 2011
Page 47
Page 47
This section contains letters from readers discussing various sundial topics. These include formulae for horizontal shadow length, a query about the oldest scientific sundial in the British Isles, sundials in family crests, proposed organisational changes within the BSS, and the historical transmission of scratch dials and water-clock functionality. It highlights ongoing member engagement and research interests.
Mathematics of Dialling, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members, Mottoes
December 2011
Page 49
Page 49
This article, drawing on John Smith's 1676 book 'The Art of Painting', discusses the techniques and colours used for painting sundials, particularly stone dials. It provides practical advice on preparing surfaces, mixing pigments, and laying out dials, including recommendations for repainting and a note on a misconception about earth's motion affecting dial orientation.
Construction Projects, Historical Dials, Restoration projects, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2011
Page 50
Page 50
This report details the British Sundial Society's Newbury meeting, featuring talks on topics such as a metal-detected Norfolk horologium, ceiling reflection dials, leap years and calendars, repairing old books, lifting heavy sundials, war memorial dials, and heliochronometers. Exhibits included a cross dial and an equation of time analogue computer, showcasing a diverse range of gnomonic interests.
Dials: Heliochronometer, Dials: Reflected, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
March 2010
Page 2
Page 2
Describes the history and function of Egnazio Danti's 1572 astronomical quadrant in Florence. It details the five systems of time measurement it displayed and outlines the methodology used to re-compute the missing gnomons for a modern restoration and the creation of a working copy.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Restoration projects, Sundial Design & Layout
March 2010
Page 9
Page 9
A review of the BSS monograph 'The Double Horizontal Dial - and associated instruments' by J. Davis & M. Lowne. The book covers the history, geometry, design, manufacture, and engraving of double horizontal dials, horizontal instruments, and horizontal quadrants from the 17th century onwards.
Book Reviews, Dials: Double Horizontal, Historical Dials
March 2010
Page 11
Page 11
A brief note about the dial maker Archibald Handasyde of Fishberrow, who made a dial for Inveresk church, Midlothian, in 1735. The piece notes he is credited with several other dials and would be worthy of further research.
Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
March 2010
Page 13
Page 13
Features a Pilkington & Gibbs heliochronometer at Marsh Court, Stockbridge, Hampshire, as seen on a postcard postmarked 1916. The article provides details about the heliochronometer and the history of Marsh Court, which served as a hospital during World War I.
Historical Dials, Dials: Heliochronometer
March 2010
Page 14
Page 14
Discusses the challenges of studying early English mass dials due to limited surviving evidence, with only about 50 Saxon dials recorded. It argues that the predominance of timber for early churches means most dials were wooden and have not survived, proposing a hypothesis of near-universal dial use.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials
March 2010
Page 18
Page 18
Explores the notebook of E.A. Pippet, detailing his original 1895 design for a west-declining vitreous enamel sundial for Cairns Chambers, Sheffield. It compares the design to the more modern stone dial currently on the building, which has a different declination.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
March 2010
Page 20
Page 20
A brief travel report on two noon-mark sundials found in Spoleto, Umbria, Italy. One is located in the park of the Villa Pianciani Delizia and another, similar one at the Villa Redenta. Both are described as being in need of restoration.
Dials: Noon Lines, Historical Dials
March 2010
Page 24
Page 24
Discusses two sets of playing cards published in 1701 by instrument maker Thomas Tuttell, which functioned as a trade catalogue. The cards illustrate instruments like elliptical dials, dialling globes, and projections of the sphere used in dialling.
Dialling Tools, Historical Dials
March 2010
Page 28
Page 28
A review of sundials sold at auction in 2009. Notable items include a gilt brass compendium by Charles Whitwell dated 1608, a Panorganon by Joseph Wells, a Gunter's quadrant by Henry Wynne, and a silver Butterfield dial by Pierre le Maire.
Dials: Portable, Dials: Scaphe, Historical Dials, Dials: Nocturnals
March 2010
Page 32
Page 32
Discusses a collection of old magic lantern slides and glass negatives featuring sundials. The collection includes images of Dial Cottage at Seaton Ross, the multifaceted dial at Holyrood Palace from circa 1880, and a dial at Trinity College, Cambridge.
Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials
March 2010
Page 34
Page 34
Describes what is believed to be the only mass dial in Greece, on the 12th-century Byzantine church in Chonikas. The dial likely dates to the early 17th century and is accompanied by carved inscriptions marking total solar eclipses in 1661 and 1760.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials
March 2010
Page 37
Page 37
A photo feature of three dials on an obelisk at the Monastery of the Holy Trinity of Saint Sergius Lavra, near Moscow. The east-facing dial has declination lines for zodiac signs, while the west-facing dial shows the hours of daylight.
Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
March 2010
Page 38
Page 38
Describes how the Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria functions as a timekeeper. An aperture in the dome allows a ray of sunlight to illuminate a cenotaph at Local Solar Noon on 16th December each year, commemorating the 1838 Battle of Blood River.
Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout, Historical Dials, Dials: Noon Lines
March 2010
Page 41
Page 41
Describes two 18th-century horizontal sundials, now in Gloucestershire, originally made for West Indies plantations. One by John Fowler was designed for St Kitts (17.5° latitude) and the other by his apprentice Henry Gregory for a latitude of around 13°.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
March 2010
Page 42
Page 42
An overview of the photographic archive of Noel Ta'Bois, an early sundial enthusiast. The archive contains around 1,500 slides of fixed dials from the 1980s, which form a valuable record in the Society's collection and have helped identify unrecorded dials.
Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
March 2010
Page 46
Page 46
A follow-up to a previous article about dialling questions in 'The Ladies' Diary'. This piece presents the published solution to Question 87 from 1790, which asked for the area of the curve traced by a gnomon's tip on the winter solstice.
Mathematics of Dialling, Historical Dials
June 2010
Page 10
Page 10
This article explores several sundials associated with Glemham Hall. It details a small, unsigned 17th-century horizontal dial, a large painted vertical dial from 1769, and discusses the 'Elihu Yale's sundial' mounted on a John Nost lead figure, whose current whereabouts are unknown but was possibly seen at Yale University. A modern 'Three Graces' horizontal dial is also mentioned.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
June 2010
Page 13
Page 13
This article features a postcard from 1908 depicting the impressive multiple-dialled structure, L'Unique, on the banks of Lake Annecy, France. Dated 1874 and named in 1876, the dial is credited to Frère Arsène. It features an equatorial dial, multiple gnomons on a 7-pointed star, and various dial plates indicating noon for several European cities and zodiac signs.
Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials
June 2010
Page 14
Page 14
This article presents a preliminary comparison of mass and scratch dial prevalence between England and France, drawing on newly available French mass dial listings. It discusses the 'England different' versus 'England typical' hypotheses and concludes that English findings are of wider European significance at a fundamental and structural level, consistent with the universality and multiplicity of mass dials.
Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials
June 2010
Page 16
Page 16
This article explores three instances of sundials located within former fortifications in North Wales. It describes a recently repainted vertical dial on St Cybi’s Church in Holyhead, a modern cast dialplate at St Mary’s churchyard in Caerhun, and a vertical declining dial from 1898 at Fort Belan.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
June 2010
Page 18
Page 18
This paper introduces the horizontal quadrant, a less common but useful altitude sundial type, sharing its basic stereographic projection with the double horizontal dial. It discusses its history, including European precursors like Hartmann's compast and Apian's triens, and English developments by Delamain and Oughtred. The article describes the general form and known examples, detailing how it uses the sun's altitude to tell time.
How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling, Historical Dials
June 2010
Page 24
Page 24
This article provides an update on the Irish-style dial discovered at Towyn. Originally used as a milestone and later built into Ynysmaengwyn Hall, the dial has now been safely moved from outside the local Tourist Office to St Cadfan’s Church. The article details the process of moving the large stone and its new illuminated position next to the Cadfan Stone.
Historical Dials, Restoration projects
June 2010
Page 38
Page 38
This article examines a unique slate dial from 1712, signed 'G B FECIT'. It notes several unusual features, including incorrect gnomon alignments on subsidiary dials, ornate rococo-like decoration, and French origin due to spellings and slate material. The article also highlights a large discrepancy between calculated latitude and gnomon angle, along with various other intriguing engravings like months, zodiac signs, lunar cycles, epacts, and a crest.
Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
June 2010
Page 45
Page 45
This article introduces a newly discovered West Indies sundial, signed 'DICAS LIVERPOOL' with 'Latt 22°'. The gnomon is missing and the dial is worn, but it is identified as likely from the Turks and Caicos Islands. Research by Jill Wilson and John Davis attributes it to John Dicas (w.1774-1797), a Liverpool scientific instrument maker, or his daughters who ran the business after his death.
Historical Dials, Restoration projects
June 2010
Page 46
Page 46
This article describes a unique obelisk-shaped sundial from 1742 in the Mainfränkisches Museum Würzburg. Made of Franconian sandstone, it features 10 sundials and a mechanical wind indicator with a rotating hand connected to a vane by internal gearing. The construction, with dials on inclined surfaces and a Turk's head sculpture, is highly unusual and suggests a learned, wealthy commissioner for an impressive park.
Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2010
Page 52
Page 52
This is a review of Catherine Eagleton's book, 'Monks, Manuscripts and Sundials: The Navicula in Medieval England,' which emerged from her doctoral research. The book focuses on the rare medieval navicula, or 'Little ship of Venice,' detailing known examples and newly uncovered 15th-century manuscripts that describe its making and use. It reveals that the navicula was likely more common than previously thought and predates other universal altitude dials.
Book Reviews, Dials: Portable, Historical Dials
September 2010
Page 9
Page 9
This is a review of 'Time Reckoning in the Medieval World – A study of Anglo-Saxon and Early Norman Sundials' by D. Scott & M. Cowham. The monograph is praised for its comprehensive cataloguing of 75 early dials and its nuanced approach to their context, challenging previous interpretations of dating and timekeeping systems.
Book Reviews, Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials
September 2010
Page 10
Page 10
This article details the use of horizontal quadrants for time-finding and surveying, including a rare 'inverted' variant. It describes how to determine time from solar altitude and declination, and from stars at night, discussing the historical accuracy and limitations of these instruments.
How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling, Historical Dials, Dials: Nocturnals
September 2010
Page 18
Page 18
This article describes a small horizontal dial by Benjamin Scott, believed to have been made for Lochnaw Castle, Scotland. It features transversals for minute resolution, an Equation of Time ring, and specific gnomon supporters, linking Scott to John Rowley and discussing its provenance.
Dials: Horizontal, Equation of Time, Historical Dials
September 2010
Page 23
Page 23
This article reports on the unveiling of a bronze armillary sphere by David Harber, created to celebrate his lineage to the distinguished 16th-century mathematician and diallist John Blagrave. The sphere represents Blagrave's 'Mathematical Jewel' and was unveiled at the Science Museum in South Kensington.
Construction Projects, Historical Dials, Dials: Armillary Sphere
September 2010
Page 24
Page 24
This article addresses the problematic categorisation of English mass and scratch dials from c.1250-c.1650, proposing a new threefold classification (360°, 180°, and 90° dials) based on surviving evidence of scratching and pock marks, intended to reflect genuine differences in original appearance and facilitate statistical analysis.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
September 2010
Page 27
Page 27
This article describes three scaphe dials found in close proximity in Buckinghamshire: one at All Saints Church, Hillesden (1601); one at The Five Elms pub in Weedon; and another at The Manor House, Creslow. It discusses their designs, orientations, and potential local influence.
Dials: Scaphe, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
September 2010
Page 29
Page 29
This article recounts the recovery and return of two sundials: a pedestal with carved navigational instruments, stolen from Myddelton House and later reunited with a replica dial plate; and an early Celtic sundial from Tywyn, moved inside its church.
Historical Dials, Restoration projects, The BSS and Members
September 2010
Page 31
Page 31
This article features a postcard from March 1932 depicting a living sundial with Roman numerals and lines laid out using plants or bushes, located at Wentworth Castle, Stainborough, and seeks information about the initials 'BW' visible on it.
Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
September 2010
Page 35
Page 35
This entry briefly describes a Greco-Roman conical dial at Side, Turkey, made of white marble with day curves for the solstices but unusually lacking those for the equinoxes.
Dials: Hemispherical, Historical Dials
September 2010
Page 36
Page 36
This article investigates the presence and influence of Roman timekeepers in Britain from 43-780 AD, noting the scarcity of archaeological finds compared to other Roman provinces. It explores historical, cultural, and military evidence, including a mosaic depiction and rudimentary sundial objects, and briefly discusses the obscure origins of Saxon dials.
Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
September 2010
Page 40
Page 40
This article describes an unrecorded octagonal brass horizontal sundial by John Rowley (early 18th century), commissioned for the Neidhardt von Spattenbrunn family in Silesia. It details the dial's features, engraving styles, geographical rings, and discusses the possibility of it being a royal gift, while also comparing its gnomon to one by Thomas Tompion.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
September 2010
Page 46
Page 46
This article examines Henry Sephton, an 18th-century Liverpool architect and mason, as a significant provincial diallist. It describes several dials attributed to him, including signed double horizontal dials at Croxteth Hall and Knowsley Hall, a horizontal dial at Ince Blundell Hall, vertical dials on churches, and two globe dials, highlighting his characteristic transversals and artistic style.
Dials: Horizontal, Construction Projects, Historical Dials, Dials: Double Horizontal
December 2010
Page 2
Page 2
This article describes the Equinoctial Armilla, built by Egnazio Danti in 1573 on the Santa Maria Novella basilica in Florence. Its purpose was to determine the Equinox time and tropical year length, contributing to calendar reform. The article discusses its historical context, Danti's observations, chronological discrepancies, measurement errors due to the armilla's size, and the instrument's features.
Mathematics of Dialling, Historical Dials, Dials: Armillary Sphere
December 2010
Page 11
Page 11
This entry describes a now-lost sundial designed by Nicholaus Kratzer in 1520 for St Mary's churchyard wall in Oxford. Based on a design in Kratzer's MS De Horologiis it showed Babylonian hours in green on the East side, Italian hours in blue on the West, and ordinary hours and declinations on the south face.
Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
December 2010
Page 12
Page 12
This report details four sundials in Adelaide. It includes the Olde Adelaide Sundial at Carrick Hill House with a unique equation of time reflecting South Australia's time zone, two dials at Seymour College, and an unusual polar meantime dial by Government Astronomer Charles Dodwell in the Pioneer Women’s Memorial Garden.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Polar, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
December 2010
Page 17
Page 17
This article discusses the Benares Sundial, one of five equatorial sundial observatories built in India by astronomer prince Sawai Jai Singh II in the 18th century to rectify astrological errors. The authors also describe their work with stereoscopic images and an autocyclostereoscope for viewing 3D images without special glasses, including a 1902 stereograph of the Benares sundial.
Dials: Equatorial, How Sundials Work, Historical Dials
December 2010
Page 22
Page 22
This article describes the design and construction of an equatorial sundial inspired by Anaximander's 'skiatheron,' aiming to be an operational work of art. Made from matted stainless steel, the dial uses dots instead of Arabic or Roman numerals for a timeless aesthetic. It also details the construction process, including computer design, prototyping, and addressing issues like rust and plate bending.
Dials: Equatorial, Sundial Design & Layout, Construction Projects, Historical Dials
December 2010
Page 25
Page 25
This article describes an early colour postcard of the multi-faceted obelisk dial at Lochgoilhead, Argyll, dating from 1696(?). The sandstone structure features initials DHM and SCC, five square panels, and six panels on the finial. The postcard, postmarked 1909, shows it on the lawn in front of ‘The Cottage.’
Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials
December 2010
Page 26
Page 26
This historical essay details the Meridies Media sundial designed by Dr Tadeusz Przypkowski for the Old Royal Observatory at Greenwich in 1967. It describes the dial's function using an analemma to indicate standard mean time, true noon, and date. The article recounts the author's involvement in its installation, the initial design error, and the eventual reconstruction of the wooden dial in 1969, which remained until 1991.
Dials: Noon Lines, Equation of Time, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
December 2010
Page 31
Page 31
This report summarises the British Sundial Society's Newbury Meeting on 25 September 2010, attended by 36 members. It highlights short talks on scientific sundials in Britain, Essex dial restorations, and Devon/Cornwall dials. Exhibits included devices for determining sun direction, reproductions of historical dials, and modern designs.
Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, Restoration projects, The BSS and Members
December 2010
Page 33
Page 33
This article explores how time was perceived and reckoned in Anglo-Saxon England, drawing on surviving sundials and manuscripts. It covers heathen time-reckoning based on natural cycles, the introduction of systematic time-reckoning by Christian missions (including the Julian calendar, horologia, and Canonical Hours), and later monastic and village time-marking methods like shadow-length horologia and mass-dials, which evolved until the advent of mechanical clocks.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials, How Sundials Work
December 2010
Page 37
Page 37
This entry describes the sundial on the east side of the chapel at Merton College, Oxford. Dating possibly from 1629 or 1659, and potentially redesigned by Jo. Bainbridge or Henry Briggs, it uses a simple nodus on an adjacent buttress to cast a shadow with criss-cross lines, although an extension on the south side shown in a 1922 drawing is no longer visible.
Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
December 2010
Page 42
Page 42
This second part of an article series establishes a method for age-ranking English mass and scratch dials (360°, 180°, and 90° types) from c.1250–c.1650. It uses cross-sectional analysis to demonstrate that 360° dials are the oldest, with their use ending around 1500 in favour of 180° and 90° types. The article also accounts for dial loss and regional adoption variations.
How Sundials Work, Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials
March 2009
Page 7
Page 7
This piece discusses Gérard Desargues (1591-1661), a French mathematician and engraver known for his work on conic projections and perspective, which introduced key concepts of projective geometry. His book on sundials (1640) was theoretical, but his disciple Abraham Bosse published a more accessible version in 1643.
Book Reviews, Mathematics of Dialling, Historical Dials
March 2009
Page 16
Page 16
This review examines the status of mass dial recording in Continental Europe, noting that while British dials are well-surveyed, Continental efforts have historically been less intensive. It compiles evidence from various countries, highlighting the widespread geographical presence of mass dials, including on Orthodox churches.
Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials
March 2009
Page 20
Page 20
This is a report on the Scientific Instrument Society's 16th annual invitation lecture by Dr Jim Bennett, titled "Sundials and the Rise and Decline of Cosmography in the ‘Long’ Sixteenth Century". The lecture explored how sundials were integral to cosmography, a comprehensive study of the universe during the Renaissance, covering both celestial and terrestrial measures.
Historical Dials
March 2009
Page 22
Page 22
This article explores the history of sundials in St Petersburg, Russia, from the early 18th century. It describes various notable examples, including the armillary sphere on the Kunstkammer, the double sundial on the Menshikov Palace, solar milestones, and dials in Peterhof, Gatchina, Pavlovsk Park, and Demidov’s manors, as well as modern additions.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Dials: Armillary Sphere
March 2009
Page 27
Page 27
This article describes the discovery of a unique sundial carved into the base of a former churchyard cross at Barcheston, Warwickshire. The stonework was trimmed to a 52° slope on the south side, with recessed flat regions revealing traces of hour lines. It is classified as a large horizontal in stone with a notably wide gnomon.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
March 2009
Page 31
Page 31
This article describes a unique Equation of Time (EoT) chart found in Nottingham, featuring straight lines for EoT values in whole minutes plotted against a non-linear calendar date axis. Dated possibly to the 1830s or 1840s, it differs from typical "Watch Faster / Watch Slower" scales.
Mathematics of Dialling, Equation of Time, Historical Dials
March 2009
Page 32
Page 32
This article reviews notable sundials and scientific instruments seen in sales throughout 2008. Highlights include an 18th-century horizontal dial by Richard Hintonn, a French silver string gnomon dial, a gilt inclining dial by Chapotot, a rare 16th-century Nuremberg star-shaped polyhedral dial, an ivory diptych dial by Lienhart Miller, a Butterfield universal equinoctial ring dial, and a Gunter quadrant by Nathanaell Heighemore.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Portable, Historical Dials
March 2009
Page 36
Page 36
This entry describes a scaphe dial carved into a buttress at All Saints' Church, Hillesden, Buckinghamshire, recorded as SRN 5016. The dial is a quarter sphere with a motto and the date "1601 Georg De Fraisne" inscribed. It features full and half-hour divisions and has undergone some restoration since the postcard image.
Historical Dials, Dials: Scaphe
March 2009
Page 38
Page 38
This article describes the magnificent 21-foot high Glamis Castle sundial in Scotland, tentatively dated around 1683. It is an elaborate obelisk dial featuring 84 time-recording faces, lion dials for cardinal points, and a complex \pineapple\ (stellar rhombicuboctahedron) with numerous declining and reclining faces. The article also discusses its Equation of Time inscription and possible mathematical contributions by James Gregory.
Dials: Multi Faced, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout, Equation of Time, Historical Dials
March 2009
Page 42
Page 42
This article refers to a letter from Jane Austen to her brother in 1805, mentioning a small astronomical Instrument believed to be a compass and sundial, found among their late father's possessions. The exact type of sundial is unknown, but it highlights the historical significance and potential value of such instruments.
Dials: Portable, Historical Dials
March 2009
Page 43
Page 43
This article explores sundials used as memorials, discussing their historical significance from Roman times. It details numerous examples, including tombstone dials, pillar-mounted dials in churchyards (e.g., St Mawnan's, Dryburgh Abbey), and war memorials. The article highlights epitaphs, theft incidents, and the symbolic connection between sundials and the passage of time.
Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, Mottoes
June 2009
Page 2
Page 2
An exploration of the sundials at Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge. It details the six dials on the Gate of Honour, a lost fantastical column with 60 dials by the architect Theodore Haveus, and a rediscovered ‘great mural dial’ on the Chapel wall.
Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
June 2009
Page 9
Page 9
Describes two horizontal dials found on the Isle of Wight. One is a 7-inch brass dial by Benjamin Cole (c. 1751-1766). The other is a Georgian sundial dated 1735, originally from Swainston Manor, which was purchased at auction in 1985.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
June 2009
Page 11
Page 11
Reports on a mini-exhibition at the Oxford Museum of the History of Science featuring a new hand-engraved double horizontal dial by Joanna Migdal. The exhibition also included historical examples by Richard Glynne and Elias Allen, and related contemporary books.
Historical Dials, Dials: Double Horizontal
June 2009
Page 12
Page 12
Announces the rediscovery of the Barrington (or Highworth) stained glass sundial, made in 1641 by Baptist Sutton. Previously thought lost, the dial was located with a private owner. The article details its features, including its coat of arms, a 3D-effect fly, and a scratched declination number.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Dials: Stained Glass
June 2009
Page 13
Page 13
Discusses two potentially very early examples of direct east-facing vertical sundials. One is carved into the stonework of a house in Eydon, Northamptonshire. The other is carved on the church at Great Washbourne, Gloucestershire, and may be the earliest of its type.
Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
June 2009
Page 34
Page 34
An analysis of a fragmented lead horizontal 'windowsill' sundial found in Dorset. The author reconstructs its likely original octagonal design, discussing its features, numeral conventions, and a possible skewed layout to compensate for magnetic variation, suggesting a date of around 1710.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
June 2009
Page 40
Page 40
Features a 1909 postcard depicting a horizontal sundial at Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, which was dedicated in 1877. The author comments on the dial's pedestal, the surrounding cannonball piles, and a personal connection to the location through a Johnny Cash song.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
June 2009
Page 43
Page 43
Establishes a benchmark for the number of mass dials in England around 1650, when their use was at its peak. Using data on surviving dials and estimated loss rates, the author models the original frequency distribution, suggesting there were on average two to three dials per church.
Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials
June 2009
Page 46
Page 46
Identifies the gravestone of Samuel Turner (1716-1784), a shepherd who became a dial-maker and engraver. The slate memorial in Market Harborough, likely self-designed, features an engraved west-facing sundial and tells his life story.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
June 2009
Page 48
Page 48
A short note featuring a 1645 drawing by Athanasius Kircher of an ‘Organum Heliocausticum’. This is a sundial designed to chime the hours by using a spherical lens to focus sunlight onto gunpowder, which in turn releases an arm to strike a bell.
Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
September 2009
Page 2
Page 2
Describes a unique universal altitude dial made by John Marke, possibly for Robert Boyle, now in the London Science Museum. The article details the instrument's provenance, its physical characteristics, and its complex operation as a combined clinometer and sundial. It provides an in-depth analysis of the mathematical principles involved and its potential accuracy.
Dials: Portable, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling
September 2009
Page 9
Page 9
Discusses modern scratch dials made since the medieval period for various reasons other than marking mass times. It presents several examples, including a decorative dial in Scotland, a memorial dial in Macclesfield, unusual dials on windowsills on the island of Canna, and the 'Toucan Dial' at Leeds Castle.
Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
September 2009
Page 10
Page 10
Explores potential prehistoric sundials within the megalithic passage tombs of Brú na Bóinne in Ireland, including Newgrange, Dowth, and Knowth. The article examines specific stone carvings, such as the 'Stone of the Seven Suns' and Kerbstones K7 and K15 at Knowth, discussing theories that they may be sundials or calendars.
Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, How Sundials Work
September 2009
Page 15
Page 15
Features an early 20th-century postcard showing a sundial in Rémalard, Normandy, France. The postcard was used to guide a modern restoration of the dial. The article briefly describes the dial, its motto, and the author's visit to the Perche region, which is rich in sundials.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Mottoes, The BSS and Members
September 2009
Page 16
Page 16
Provides a historical survey of sundials in the county of Rutland, from early scratch dials on churches to more scientific vertical and horizontal dials on mansions and public buildings. The article highlights significant local examples, discusses common mottoes, and suggests a route for a sundial tour of the area.
Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Mottoes
September 2009
Page 25
Page 25
A query seeking help from readers to decipher a mysterious inscription on a vertical south dial from 1782, now in Keighley Museum. The dial was formerly at the Fleece Inn, Keighley, and the puzzling inscription reads: "C.G · 1 51 33·34·1450".
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
September 2009
Page 32
Page 32
Discusses two now-lost stained-glass sundials from the Manchester area. One, at Didsbury Old Parsonage, was designed in 1903 by Fletcher Moss. The author describes the second, an 18th-century dial at Kersal Cell, and speculates it may have been instigated by its owner, the prominent Jacobite John Byrom.
Dials: Unusual, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
September 2009
Page 34
Page 34
Continues a statistical analysis of the prevalence of English scratch dials around 1650. The article explores the geographic distribution of surviving dials, arguing that the significant regional variation is due to differential loss rates over time, rather than differences in the original number of dials constructed.
Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials
September 2009
Page 36
Page 36
Details the discovery and preservation of an Irish-style pillar dial (c. 700-1000 AD) in Tywyn, Wales. Found in 1986 among rubble, the dial was later used as a milepost. The article describes its features and recounts the successful effort to have the vulnerable stone moved to St Cadfan's Church.
Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
September 2009
Page 45
Page 45
Presents and discusses a drawing by Hans Holbein the Younger for a 'clocksalt'—a combined hourglass, clock, and salt cellar—designed as a gift for Henry VIII. The piece incorporates two curved sundials, whose design is attributed to Nikolaus Kratzer, and the author notes their curious and unusual delineation.
Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
December 2009
Page 2
Page 2
This article argues that the Pantheon in Rome functions as a large-scale timekeeper, similar to a roofed spherical sundial. It examines how sunlight entering through the oculus marks specific times of the year, such as the equinoxes, and compares its astronomical features to those of Nero's Domus Aurea.
Dials: Hemispherical, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
December 2009
Page 5
Page 5
The first letter describes an innovative focusing sphere lens made of lucite and copper sulphate, designed for use in a sundial. The second letter confirms that Samuel Turner, a diallist, was also the sculptor of his own tombstone which features a direct west dial.
Dials: Unusual, How Sundials Work, Historical Dials
December 2009
Page 6
Page 6
A biography of William Watson, a farmer, surveyor, and self-taught sundial maker from East Yorkshire. The article details his life, his unique 'canted-over gnomon' dial designs, his publication on dialling, and other interests. An addendum discusses the surviving examples of his work.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
December 2009
Page 9
Page 9
This piece analyses a vintage postcard of the Butter Cross in Witney. By comparing the time shown on the clock with the local solar time on the sundial, and accounting for British Summer Time and the equation of time, the author deduces the exact date the photograph was taken.
Equation of Time, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
December 2009
Page 10
Page 10
This article celebrates the genius of Robert Hooke, highlighting his key scientific contributions. It covers Hooke's Law and its application to timekeeping, his work on a universal joint for delineating sundials, and his pioneering (though unpublished) insights into the catenary arch. It proposes a sculptural memorial to Hooke.
How Sundials Work, Sundial Design & Layout, Historical Dials
December 2009
Page 13
Page 13
A short report on a British Sundial Society members' visit to the Royal Greenwich Observatory. The group received a guided tour, viewed famous horological exhibits like the Harrison chronometers, and were given special access to handle rare and notable sundials from the museum's storage rooms.
Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
December 2009
Page 15
Page 15
Introducing a series of articles on dialling problems from 'The Ladies’ Diary', a popular 18th-century almanac. The author presents the first question, from 1720, along with its original geometric construction and calculated solution, providing insight into the historical mathematics of dialling.
Mathematics of Dialling, Historical Dials
December 2009
Page 17
Page 17
This brief feature highlights a universal inclining dial by the London firm Thomas Harris & Son from a member's collection. The dial is noted as a genuine antique from the 19th-century firm of opticians, rather than a modern replica, and an appeal is made for other members to share their interesting dials.
Dials: Portable, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
December 2009
Page 18
Page 18
The article analyses the prevalence of scratch and mass dials during the period following the Great Norman Rebuilding. Using a 'life cycle model', it argues that the era was highly dynamic, with dials frequently lost to rebuilding or abandoned, having an average in-use lifespan of about 100 years.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials
December 2009
Page 20
Page 20
An investigation tracing the history of a 1699 horizontal dial signed by Robert Cutbush. The author identifies the maker as part of a family of Kent clockmakers and discovers that the dial was stolen from Ightham churchyard before 1978. The article concludes with the dial's successful return.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
December 2009
Page 38
Page 38
This article examines 'prism dials', a form of multi-faced dial created from a diagonally sliced cube, resulting in south-east and south-west declining faces. The author provides a gazetteer of several examples found within a specific area of Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, questioning if they represent a local style.
Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
December 2009
Page 40
Page 40
A survey of the artistic and decorative supports used for gnomons on different types of sundials. The article presents numerous photographs of historical and modern examples, including dolphins, snakes, butterflies, skeletons, and intricate scrollwork, and invites readers to share pictures of other interesting designs.
Sundial Design & Layout, Historical Dials
December 2009
Page 43
Page 43
A multi-authored, day-by-day account of the society's annual week-long tour, this year through East Anglia. The report details the many historical and modern dials visited in Suffolk, Norwich, Essex, and surrounding areas, providing a travelogue of the group's discoveries and activities.
Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
March 2008
Page 3
Page 3
This article details the restoration and description of a 1696 pinhole sundial in Florence's Pitti Palace, designed by Vincenzo Viviani. It served for astronomical observations and calendar functions, notably for determining Easter. The piece also explores its historical context within the Medici court and its allegorical frescoes.
Restoration projects, Historical Dials, Dials: Noon Lines
March 2008
Page 11
Page 11
This article outlines four historical periods of listing and recording English scratch (mass) dials, noting over 5000 recorded dials. It highlights the significant contributions of interwar studies, the isolated work of post-war individuals, and the British Sundial Society's Mass Dial Group in preserving this record.
Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials
March 2008
Page 12
Page 12
Describes a scaphe dial by potter Mary Watts, similar to one in the Watts Gallery. This particular dial, located in Farnborough, Hampshire, serves as a memorial to aviation pioneer Edward T. Busk, who died in 1914. It was moved in 1970 and is now housed at the Farnborough Air Sciences Trust.
Dials: Scaphe, Historical Dials
March 2008
Page 13
Page 13
A collection of letters. Graham Stapleton suggests new glossary terms; John Moir corrects a previous 'Almost Sundial' entry; Ken Head clarifies how to use analemmatic dials; George White discusses the Bath Tompion dial and its uncertain link to the Pump Room clock.
Dials: Analemmatic, Dials: Portable, Historical Dials
March 2008
Page 14
Page 14
This article explains how to use Solar Course diagrams found on historical instruments, such as an Edmund Culpeper universal equinoctial ring dial and Italian quadrants, to determine the sun's position in the Zodiac. It details calculation methods, including adjustments for Old Style and New Style calendars, and notes rare instances of early Gregorian calendar pre-emption.
Dialling Tools, Historical Dials, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling
March 2008
Page 16
Page 16
This article recounts the legend of Sir Henry Yule, a Bengal Engineer in the 1840s, who, vexed by his own temper and his native workmen's unpunctuality, fined himself two rupees each time he lost his temper. He used the accumulated money to erect a 'handsome' sundial at Roorkee to teach the locals the value of time.
Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
March 2008
Page 17
Page 17
This section reviews 'Biographical Index of British Sundial Makers from the Seventh Century to 1920 (2nd Edition)' by Jill Wilson, praising its enhancements, new names, and comprehensive scope beyond simple indexing. It also reviews 'The Astrolabe' by James E. Morrison, highlighting it as a much-needed, comprehensive guide to astrolabe design, function, and construction.
Dials: Astrolabe, Book Reviews, Historical Dials
March 2008
Page 26
Page 26
Discusses the historical use and modern relevance of astrological symbols on sundials to indicate dates like solstices and equinoxes, despite astronomical shifts like precession. It examines symbols for Zodiacal signs and those used on lunar volvelles, such as sextile, square, and trine, explaining their relation to moon phases and elongation.
Historical Dials, How Sundials Work, Sundial Design & Layout
March 2008
Page 30
Page 30
Describes a Cary dial in Hole Park, Kent, which was stolen but later recovered from an antique shop thanks to photographs. The recovery highlights the importance of documentation for proving ownership of valuable sundials.
Historical Dials
March 2008
Page 31
Page 31
This fourth part of a series describes universal astrolabes, focusing on the Saphea, Rojas, and De la Hire projections. These instruments, developed from the 11th to 17th centuries, could be used at all latitudes, offering flexibility for astronomical and timekeeping purposes, despite the increasing complexity of their design.
Dials: Astrolabe, Historical Dials, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling
March 2008
Page 38
Page 38
Reports on sundial sales at major auction houses in 2007, noting a shift away from scientific instruments by Christie's and Sotheby's. It details sales at Bonhams, including a 19th-century cube dial, a 17th/18th-century Polish slate dial, and a medieval astrolabe quadrant found in Canterbury. Other notable sales include portable dials by Edm. Culpeper and a double crescent dial by Johann Martin.
Dials: Portable, Historical Dials, Dials: Cube, Dials: Double Horizontal
March 2008
Page 40
Page 40
Reproduces Tim Hunkin's 'Rudiments of Wisdom' cartoon strip on sundials from the Observer newspaper. It offers a concise overview of the development of sundials from the Egyptian obelisk, through to equal hours dials and modern developments, in cartoon form, even commenting on the need for adjustments due to the equation of time!
How Sundials Work, Historical Dials
March 2008
Page 42
Page 42
Features a c.1920 postcard depicting a large horizontal sundial at Polam Hall, an independent girls' school in Darlington. The author notes the presence of scholars in the image and expresses uncertainty about whether the dial is still in place.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
March 2008
Page 42
Page 42
Compares an early 20th-century postcard of a Pilkington & Gibbs heliochronometer at Thornton Manor with a modern photograph. It notes the dial's original purchase by Lord Leverhulme, its continued presence on its pedestal, and the replacement of its glass dome with a chemistry bell jar.
Dials: Heliochronometer, Historical Dials
March 2008
Page 47
Page 47
Presents a photograph from an old glass lantern slide of a high-quality churchyard dial, believed to date before World War I. The author seeks help in identifying the church, noting a cross on the porch as a potential diagnostic feature.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
March 2008
Page 48
Page 48
Describes a non-working universal equinoctial ring dial, about 12cm in diameter, incorporated into a 1684 lime-wood carving by Grinling Gibbons. This carving, representing arts and sciences, is located in the saloon of Lyme Hall, alongside other astronomical and navigation instruments, reflecting Sir Richard Legh's interest in the sciences.
Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
June 2008
Page 50
Page 50
This article explores the depiction of faces on sundials, primarily smiling suns on vertical dials and replica horizontal dials, as well as moon faces and other figures like angels. It showcases various examples from Britain and Europe, discussing their symbolism and design variations.
Dials: Portable, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2008
Page 61
Page 61
This entry features a vertical sundial in Petts Wood, Chislehurst, dedicated as a memorial to William Willett, the campaigner for daylight saving hours. The dial, dated 1927, is adjusted for summer time and carries the motto 'HORAS NON NUMERO NISI ÆSTIVAS'.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Mottoes
June 2008
Page 62
Page 62
Michael Maltin speculates on the original location and an engraving error of a Melville dial, suggesting it was for the Midlands but ended up in Salisbury. Roger Bowling shares a 'sad story' about a stolen churchyard dial from Prestbury Parish Church, mistakenly printed reversed in the Bulletin, and mentions its appearance in Alice Morse Earle's book.
Historical Dials
June 2008
Page 63
Page 63
This entry discusses a terracotta dial made by the Arts & Crafts Association of Compton, believed to be modelled on traditional Scottish dials, for the Victorian artist George F Watts RA in his garden at Limnerslease. It poses the question of the dial's current whereabouts.
Historical Dials
June 2008
Page 64
Page 64
This article details Charles Darwin's horizontal sundial at Down House, used for regulating his clocks. It describes the dial's unpretentious design, its historical context, and recent restoration efforts after two accidents, including the discovery that the gnomon was a replacement.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
June 2008
Page 75
Page 75
This article analyses the geographical distribution of surviving English scratch (mass) dials using a composite national database. It identifies a marked watershed and regional clustering, with higher survival rates east of the watershed, and discusses the importance of recording churches without dials for statistical accuracy.
Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials
June 2008
Page 77
Page 77
This report summarises the 2008 BSS Annual Conference at Latimer, highlighting various talks including Piers Nicholson on Jantar Mantar, Chris Williams on scratch dial statistics, Fred Sawyer on Michnik's bifilar sundial, Celia James on James Richard's dial, Julian Lush on Armenian scallop dials, and John Davis on John Rowley's work.
Dials: Bifilar, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout, The BSS and Members
June 2008
Page 82
Page 82
John Lester describes his extensive project to edit Mrs Crowley's Sundial Sketchbooks of Devon and Cornwall, which involved visiting and photographing all 216 recorded dials. He details the challenges of surveying in the West Country and his efforts to uncover facts about Mrs Crowley's life and methods, resulting in a published edition.
Book Reviews, Historical Dials
June 2008
Page 83
Page 83
This is a review of 'Mrs Crowley’s Sundial Sketchbooks of Devon and Cornwall', edited by John Lester. It praises Lester's detailed commentaries, photographs, and wit, highlighting its value as a contribution to dialling history and a companion for West Country trips. The book compiles Mrs Crowley's pencil sketches and Lester's updated records of 216 dials.
Book Reviews, Historical Dials
June 2008
Page 84
Page 84
This article investigates five slate mass dials found in 'Celtic' areas (Cornwall, Ireland, Scotland, Wales), which share common features like 15° interval hour lines. It discusses their unusual horizontal forms, 'secretary hand' numerals, and archaeological backgrounds, exploring a potential 'Celtic' connection despite dating challenges.
Sundial Design & Layout, Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials
June 2008
Page 88
Page 88
This article explores vertical sundials designed by architect Edwin Lutyens for his gardens and houses, including examples at The Salutation, The Pleasaunce, Overstrand Hall, Tigbourne Court, Hampstead Garden Suburb, Greywalls, and Mothecombe. It highlights his meticulous design, integration with architecture, and use of specific mottoes and materials.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Mottoes, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2008
Page 91
Page 91
This brief entry describes a stone plaque on a house in Eynsham, Oxfordshire, which, though not a dial itself, occupies a recess where a direct west dial could have been placed. The house was extended by architect Clough Williams-Ellis, and the plaque features a quotation from Robert Burns.
Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2008
Page 92
Page 92
This paper describes the design of a vertical south arachnidean sundial to indicate Islamic prayer times (Zuhr, Asr) and the Qibla (direction to Mecca). It explains the astronomical principles and mathematical formulae used to calculate the specific prayer curves and Qibla curve, making it readable from a significant distance.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2008
Page 95
Page 95
This short piece discusses the common misconception that the pedestal is the sundial, highlighting the importance of the support's beauty. It mentions architect Lutyens' appreciation for pedestals and features a P&G heliochronometer at Marshcourt, posing a question about its current status.
Dials: Heliochronometer, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2008
Page 99
Page 99
This article links a new millennium sundial at Marbury-cum-Quoisley church in Cheshire, designed by Dr W.E. Flewett and adjusted for longitude and British Summer Time, to an 18th-century treatise by Robert Moody. It also discusses William Emerson, a mathematician and diallist whose work influenced Moody and the millennium dial.
Construction Projects, Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
September 2008
Page 102
Page 102
This article describes a meridian line at Bramshill House, Hampshire, believed to be the earliest in the British Isles, dating to around 1720. It also describes a west declining dial and a now-missing horizontal dial.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Dials: Noon Lines
September 2008
Page 106
Page 106
This piece follows up on the whereabouts of George Watts' sundial, confirming Mary Watts as its maker. It reports that the terracotta dial was stolen from a private garden in the 1990s and remains unrecovered, appealing to readers for information. The text also mentions the existence of a better photograph in Veronica Franklin Gould's biography of Mary.
Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
September 2008
Page 107
Page 107
This article recounts the theft and subsequent recovery of a brass horizontal sundial by George Adams Jnr from Belmont House. A BSS member, Andrew James, identified the stolen dial on a dealer's website, leading to its return. The piece highlights the crucial value of the BSS Register and members' expertise in recovering stolen historical dials.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
September 2008
Page 110
Page 110
This article scientifically estimates the rate of loss for English scratch (mass) dials, revealing a significantly higher loss than previously understood. It quantifies 20th-century weathering loss at 0.5% annually and estimates an additional loss of 4250 dials due to church rebuilding. The author concludes that only a fraction of historical mass dials now survive.
Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials
September 2008
Page 116
Page 116
This article, narrated from the perspective of a 17th-century double horizontal dial by John Marke in a North Wales garden, recounts its history. It reflects on its past importance for timekeeping, its relocation, slight misalignment, and a recent renewed interest in its preservation, highlighting its rarity and unique survival.
Dials: Double Horizontal, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
September 2008
Page 117
Page 117
This article discusses John Marke's newly discovered double horizontal dial in North Wales, noting its significance as the first known by this maker. It provides background on Marke, his apprenticeship to Henry Sutton, and his work as a mathematical instrument maker, also linking him to Robert Boyle through an engraving and a Science Museum instrument.
Historical Dials, Dials: Double Horizontal
September 2008
Page 118
Page 118
Irene Brightmer shares details of a vertical surrealist sundial by Salvador Dalí in Paris, featuring a blue-eyed female face. She also describes two historic meridians nearby: one in the Church of Saint-Sulpice, commissioned from Henry Sully, and the official Paris meridian marked by over a hundred Arago medallions.
Dials: Noon Lines, Dials: Unusual, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
September 2008
Page 119
Page 119
This article reports the addition of the Dillington double-horizontal dial to the BSS Register, identifying its maker as Johannes Marke, London, 1678. It details the dial's history, from its installation at Knighton Manor to its current protected location in Newchurch, Isle of Wight, and its unique inscriptions in English, Latin, and Greek.
Historical Dials, Dials: Double Horizontal
September 2008
Page 121
Page 121
This paper describes the 1833 sundial at Liverpool Road Station, Manchester, the world's oldest extant railway station. It details the brass dial's features, its historical significance in railway timekeeping disputes, and its role as a public relations tool. The original dial is now in a museum, replaced by a 'dummy' dial on site.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
September 2008
Page 130
Page 130
This part of the Astrolabes series covers instruments related to, but distinct from, planispheric astrolabes. It discusses the rare spherical and linear astrolabes, monumental and domestic astrolabe clocks, mariner's astrolabes (not true astrolabes), and various types of quadrants, including horary and astrolabe quadrants, detailing their history and use.
Dials: Astrolabe, Dialling Tools, Historical Dials, How Sundials Work
September 2008
Page 136
Page 136
This article details a survey of sundials in Hertfordshire, reporting 56 fixed dials, 24 missing pedestals, and 68 mass dials across 27 church locations. The author highlights various interesting examples, including commemorative dials, vertical dials on cottages, historic horizontal dials, and unusual designs like a pestle and mortar scaphe dial.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
September 2008
Page 141
Page 141
Tony Wood writes about a porcelain dial from 1766 at the Royal Worcester Porcelain Museum, describing its detailed delineation. Jill Wilson responds to Chris Williams' mass dial article, noting a correlation between dial distribution and geology, and suggesting further research into building materials and church histories for a complete picture of dial loss.
Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
September 2008
Page 144
Page 144
Andrew James recounts the recovery of a stolen 1638 copper alloy sundial from St Martin’s church, Preston Gubbals. He identified the dial for sale, leading to its return. The article details the dial's early 'centred' design and the unique significance of its gnomon supporter being cut from a 15th-16th century memorial brass.
Dials: Horizontal, Restoration projects, Historical Dials
September 2008
Page 148
Page 148
Julian Lush explores the prevalence of sundials in Armenia, linking their abundance to the nation's ancient veneration of the sun deity 'Ar.' He describes the common 'shell' or 'scallop' dial form found on 5th-13th century churches and monasteries, noting unique Armenian alphanumeric hour numbering and the enduring sun disc emblem on khachkars.
Dials: Vertical, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
September 2008
Page 151
Page 151
Jill Wilson provides further thoughts regarding Chris Williams' mass dial article, suggesting that areas with low numbers of recorded mass dials might be poor in suitable stone. She emphasizes the need for a full record of churches surveyed, including those without extant mass dials, highlighting the challenges for mass dial researchers.
Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials
September 2008
Page 152
Page 152
Jack Bromily and Jim Marginson recount their trip to Belgium to visit the Sundial Park in Genk. Guided by a Dutch Sundial Society member, they explored the park's tastefully located dials and visited the Astronomical Museum. They also visited La Musée de la Vie Wallone in Liège, which houses over 150 portable dials.
Dials: Portable, Historical Dials, Dials: Noon Lines
December 2008
Page 162
Page 162
This note discusses the sundial at Wimborne Minster, Dorset, based on a 1908 postcard, a 1928 cigarette card, and an 1830 print. It observes the dial's historical repositioning from a gable to ground level between 1830 and 1908, clarifies Mrs. Gatty's potentially inaccurate references to its date and location, and encourages a visit to the Minster.
Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials
December 2008
Page 163
Page 163
This article reports on the Malvern pillar dial, noting its removal from an old cross shaft and replacement with a gabled cross. The original cube dial has been refurbished or replaced, and is now mounted on a short column in the churchyard. It also mentions a modern cube dial by Liz Leighford based on a similar design.
Dials: Cube, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
December 2008
Page 164
Page 164
This article explores the evolution and loss of English mass (scratch) dials, viewing it as a continuous dynamic process. It highlights the destructive forces of weathering and church rebuilding and suggests that there was universal adoption of these simple devices in medieval churches before their displacement by scientific dials and mechanical clocks, mostly in the 17th century.
Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials
December 2008
Page 166
Page 166
This article details the reproduction of a sine quadrant from a preserved Timbouctou manuscript for a documentary film. It describes the instrument's function in solving trigonometric problems without manual calculation, like determining unequal hours, and its historical context as a teaching tool in Islamic astronomy. The author discusses the challenges of interpretation and the modern construction using laser-cut perspex.
Construction Projects, Dialling Tools, Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling
December 2008
Page 172
Page 172
This article investigates the historical existence of a sundial on the south wall of the Bodleian Library, depicted in Loggan's 1675 drawing and a later 1818 engraving. It provides evidence for its reality, discusses its disappearance by 1814-1880 due to redundancy and weathering, identifies Richard Hawkins as its painter in 1641, and suggests its original positioning.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
December 2008
Page 176
Page 176
This article complements a previous one on the Liverpool Road Station sundial, Manchester. It discusses the dial's positioning at first-floor level, its installation in 1833, and its crucial role in regulating train timings by local apparent time before the introduction of uniform Railway Time in the 1840s, highlighting the sundial's importance in early railway operations.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
December 2008
Page 178
Page 178
A UK visitor's account of the 14th NASS Conference in St Louis, covering the coach tour to various sundial sites like the Jefferson Barracks and Missouri Botanical Gardens, presentations on topics such as digital wall dials and the equation of time, and the distribution of dialling software. It notes the smaller attendance compared to BSS meetings but high standard of events.
Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout, The BSS and Members
December 2008
Page 193
Page 193
A report on the BSS Sundial Safari to the Alsace region of France, detailing visits to various towns and villages. It describes numerous sundials encountered, including those at Strasbourg Cathedral, Soultz, Guebwiller, St-Marc convent, Colmar, Eguisheim, Riquewihr, Bergheim, Mont Ste-Odile (featuring a polyhedral dial), and Freiburg (Germany), as well as the Kirschgarten Museum in Basel.
Dials: Vertical, Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
December 2008
Page 197
Page 197
This note presents a drawing of Henry Gyles, a celebrated glass-painter from York and prolific stained glass dialmaker, from the British Museum collection. It compares this effigy with a self-portrait Gyles used as his tradecard, highlighting the rarity of having multiple portraits of early dialmakers.
Historical Dials, Dials: Stained Glass
December 2008
Page 198
Page 198
This article provides additional information about a meridian line at Bramshill House, Hampshire. It details a 1770 manuscript by S. Dunn containing notes on spherical trigonometry and meridian line calculations. It confirms the line's date before 1770 and discusses the context of 18th-century mathematical sophistication and notes from Mrs. Gatty that imply the existence of other dials at the location.
Dials: Noon Lines, Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling
December 2008
Page 203
Page 203
This article investigates a puzzling sundial in the Rose Garden of Villa Cimbrone at Ravello, Italy. Despite its fine design and the builder's knowledge of clocks, the dial's inclination and gnomon angle are incorrect for its latitude, suggesting it was originally a horizontal dial for England or is a non-dial. It also mentions another horizontal dial at the villa.
Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
March 2007
Page 2
Page 2
This article provides an overview of sundials found in Derbyshire, from ancient scratch dials on medieval churches to more sophisticated wall and public sundials. It highlights notable examples like the Eyam parish church dial and various works attributed to the Whitehurst family of clockmakers. It also touches on the historical context of timekeeping for ordinary people and the aristocracy.
Dials: Vertical, Restoration projects, Historical Dials, Dials: Cube
March 2007
Page 12
Page 12
This paper describes a significant, well-preserved medieval Byzantine vertical sundial found at the Church of the Dormition of the Virgin in Agia Trias, Greece. It explores the dial's historical context, its connection to William of Moerbeke's translation of Ptolemy, and its design featuring Greek capital letters for hour lines. The authors also discuss its construction and possible dating.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
March 2007
Page 15
Page 15
This article reviews sundial sales and auctions from 2006, highlighting notable items such as a 1545 book with an early gold sundial, a perpetual calendar from around 1700, and a brass horary quadrant by Tho: Poole. It also mentions a standing ring dial, a Butterfield dial, and a rare Henry Sutton quadrant with 'New Style' dating.
Dials: Portable, Historical Dials
March 2007
Page 18
Page 18
This note follows up on a previous discussion regarding curious holes in the lettering of an old dial at Beccles Church. It reports on a milestone discovered 20 miles from Bury St Edmunds where a similar technique (holes for lead infill) was used, with some lead still in place.
Historical Dials
March 2007
Page 19
Page 19
Mike Cowham describes a survey of early French 'shell' dials, often found carved into church walls, dating between 1050 and 1200 AD. He details 11 examples, noting their varying numbers of divisions, high mounting positions, and possible connection to pilgrimage routes. The article speculates on their purpose, mainly to record solar noon and indicate church services.
Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
March 2007
Page 27
Page 27
John Davis presents an extract from Joseph Moxon's 1678 book, 'Mechanick Exercises,' detailing a method for laying moldings on round brass pieces without a lathe, invented after the Fire of London. This technique is suggested to have been used for horizontal sundials, offering insight into 17th-century sundial making practices and Moxon's ingenuity.
Dialling Tools, Historical Dials
March 2007
Page 28
Page 28
This article details the restoration of a vertical lead sundial on the Thomas Plume Library in Maldon, Essex. It describes the dial's historical context, its construction from lead sheet over oak boards, the damage caused by squirrels, and the repair process including repainting and gilding. The dial is a direct south design and dates from around the turn of the 18th century.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
March 2007
Page 31
Page 31
This article discusses Ernest Beadsmoore's construction of a heliochronometer, inspired by Professor W. E. Cooke's 'New Sundial' design published in 1924. It details Beadsmoore's background as an engineer, his process of building and testing the dial, and its impact on local timekeeping precision. Cooke's later 'Sunclock' patent, connecting the dial to a clock for standard time, is also mentioned.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Heliochronometer, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
March 2007
Page 33
Page 33
This paper describes the pinhole sundial in the Grand-Ducal Astronomical Observatory (La Specola) in Florence. It covers the observatory's history, the sundial's design as a string-gnomon meridian line, its restoration in 2005, and a comparison of measured zodiac point positions with calculated values. It highlights the instrument's historical importance for astronomical studies and calendar reform.
Dials: Noon Lines, Historical Dials, How Sundials Work, Restoration projects
March 2007
Page 39
Page 39
Peter Ransom describes a sundial on Wilton Bridge near Ross on Wye, using postcards from the early 1900s to note a change in its orientation, where the north face now points south. He also deciphers a motto from an old postcard that is no longer readable on the dial itself.
Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials, Mottoes
March 2007
Page 45
Page 45
Patrick Powers reviews the 'Catalogue of the Fixed Dials of Austria – 2006 (3rd edition),' edited by Karl Schwazinger. The review highlights the catalogue's comprehensive coverage of over 3500 dials, its German language, and the included CD-ROM version with HTML-based content and PDF explanations.
Book Reviews, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
March 2007
Page 46
Page 46
This article re-examines the orientation of St Mary’s Church, Stoke D’Abernon, considering the 7th-century Saxon church and its 13th-century chancel misalignment. It calculates sunrise azimuths for the Feast of the Annunciation, accounting for horizon elevation and atmospheric refraction, to explore the hypothesis that church alignment relates to sunrise on the patron saint's day.
Historical Dials, How Sundials Work
June 2007
Page 50
Page 50
This article explores the material composition of historical horizontal garden sundials, specifically distinguishing between brass and bronze alloys. It discusses the challenges of visual identification due to patination and details an X-ray analysis method used to determine the actual metallic composition of dial samples.
Historical Dials
June 2007
Page 63
Page 63
This article recounts the discovery of an unrecorded horizontal sundial at Chatsworth House, initially prompted by a film, and reveals that BSS Chairman Chris Daniel had photographed it 30 years prior but not recorded it. It highlights the importance of Peter Baxandall's observation.
Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
June 2007
Page 69
Page 69
This article, a re-publication, discusses the history and art of painted or stained-glass window sundials in Britain. It covers their construction, fragility, the challenges of preservation, and highlights notable examples and makers like Bernard Dininckoff and Henry Gyles.
Dials: Vertical, Sundial Design & Layout, Restoration projects, Historical Dials, Dials: Stained Glass
June 2007
Page 73
Page 73
This article focuses on a famous 17th-century stained-glass sundial from Nailsea Court, featuring a bird and a fly, known for its multiple copies and eventual theft. It details the dial's artistic elements, motto Dum Spectas Fugio and discusses its provenance through later copies and historical records.
Historical Dials
June 2007
Page 81
Page 81
This entry presents a postcard from 1935 showing a floral sundial in Haulfre Gardens, Llandudno. It describes the dial's mottoes (I count the bright hours only and Tempus fugit) and notes a potential omission in the afternoon hour lines, inviting further information on the dial's current existence.
Historical Dials, Mottoes
June 2007
Page 82
Page 82
This section contains reader correspondence. Fred Sawyer corrects an article on dual sundials, attributing the self-setting property to Vaulezard (1640) rather than Tuttell (1698). Mike Faraday asks for a website to track the terminator for sunrise times. Tony Wood clarifies the location and movement of the Ross-on-Wye pillar dial.
Dials: Analemmatic, How Sundials Work, Historical Dials
June 2007
Page 84
Page 84
This article describes a unique vertical sundial at the Byzantine Panaghia Vlaherna Convent in Kyllene, Greece. Made of white marble, it features 13 fan-shaped petals representing hours without numerals, reflecting local tradition and contrasting with Western sundial practices. It discusses the monastery's history and the dial's architectural integration.
Dials: Unusual, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
June 2007
Page 86
Page 86
This report summarises the 2007 British Sundial Society Annual Conference in Cambridge. It highlights talks on calendar history, the Equation of Time, analemmatic sundials, astrolabes, and beehive sundialling. It also covers walking tours of Cambridge dials, including Pembroke and Queens' Colleges, and the Andrew Somerville Memorial Lecture on calendar accuracy.
Dials: Astrolabe, Historical Dials, How Sundials Work, The BSS and Members
June 2007
Page 91
Page 91
This is the first part of a series introducing astrolabes, describing them as two-dimensional analogue computers for solving spherical trigonometric problems and finding time. It covers their history from Greek origins through Arab development to European decline, and explains the principles of their design including the rete and engraved plates for different latitudes.
Dials: Astrolabe, Historical Dials, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling
June 2007
Page 96
Page 96
This entry presents a page from Nellie Stearns Goodloe's 1893 Sun-Dial Notes calendar, featuring a sundial from Kells, Co Meath, Ireland. It notes the calendar is correct for 2007 and mentions a fuller note on the book will appear later.
Book Reviews, Historical Dials
September 2007
Page 105
Page 105
This article discusses noon cannons, devices that fire at solar noon using a magnifying glass to ignite powder. It describes preparing and firing a cannon, noting it's more for fun than accuracy. It also mentions historical examples from the mid-17th and 18th centuries, modern versions, and current licensing restrictions in England. A specific F. Barker and Son cannon is detailed.
Dials: Noon Lines, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
September 2007
Page 107
Page 107
This second part details the characteristics and scales of European astrolabes. It covers the use of Latin script and numerals, simple throne designs (with some Flemish exceptions), and variable rete strapwork. The article also explains the zodiac/calendar scales, shadow squares for surveying, and three methods for determining unequal (planetary) hours found on these instruments.
Dials: Astrolabe, Historical Dials, How Sundials Work
September 2007
Page 112
Page 112
This article solves the mystery of a sundial pedestal at Farringford, Alfred, Lord Tennyson's home. It was designed by Mary Seton Watts, wife of the painter G.F. Watts, likely as a memorial for Tennyson and his wife Emily. The pedestal features carvings related to Tennyson's poem The Sundial and a motto.
Historical Dials, Mottoes, Dials: Scaphe
September 2007
Page 113
Page 113
A brief note from a church leaflet describes a medieval churchyard cross in Llanarmon, North Wales, that was converted into a sundial in 1772 for three shillings. Sadly, the sundial has since disappeared, leaving the cut-down cross bare in the churchyard.
Historical Dials
September 2007
Page 116
Page 116
This article details a rare 1890 brass sundial from the Sumburgh Hotel, Shetland. Commissioned by Laird John Bruce and made by C. Baker, it features a peripheral calendar combining longitude and equation of time corrections, plus unusual additional instructions. It is noted as the most northerly dial in the BSS Register.
Dials: Horizontal, Equation of Time, Historical Dials
September 2007
Page 123
Page 123
This short piece features a 1928 photograph of novelist Edgar Wallace with a rather fine armillary sphere in his garden. It questions whether this dial, or one of the same design with an unusual bell-and-sphere supporter, dating from 1730 at Hever Castle, are unique or part of a production series from such an early date.
Historical Dials, Dials: Armillary Sphere
September 2007
Page 123
Page 123
This article describes an unrecorded, vertically split sundial on St Andrew's Church, Kenn, Devon, with its left half missing. Only a partial date (??83) and motto fragment (...eagum) are visible, which doesn't match known mottoes. The author seeks help from members to solve this mystery and complete the record.
Historical Dials, Mottoes
September 2007
Page 128
Page 128
This article explores declination lines on sundials as conic sections and details methods for their delineation. It examines two 17th-century horizontal dials by Isaac Symmes (Science Museum, Oxford), noting errors in their declination lines and the presence of seasonal hours and lunar volvelles. A new graphical method for drawing declination lines is also presented.
Historical Dials, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
September 2007
Page 141
Page 141
This article examines the biblical Dial of Ahaz where a shadow reversed ten degrees or steps. It explores the linguistic ambiguity and historical interpretations, including a 1578 replica claiming to demonstrate the miracle via water refraction, a claim experimentally disproven. The text discusses if it was a primitive dial or a scientific instrument.
Historical Dials
December 2007
Page 146
Page 146
This article details an 1853 slate sundial by Daniel O’Connell, a teacher from Rathmines National School, Dublin, later of Shrule, Co. Mayo. The elaborate dial, now in the National Museum of Ireland, functions as a horizontal dial, geographical clock, perpetual almanac, quadrant of altitude, and circumferentor. It is considered a teaching aid and highlights O'Connell's master engraving skills.
Dials: Horizontal, How Sundials Work, Historical Dials
December 2007
Page 152
Page 152
This article explores the mythical creature known as a Sciapod, known for sheltering under its own enormous foot. It highlights a unique 15th-century carving of a sciapod in St Mary’s Church, Dennington, Suffolk, and draws a humorous parallel between sundial enthusiasts and sciapods. The church also features medieval benches and mass dials.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials
December 2007
Page 156
Page 156
This article, part three of a series, delves into Arabic astrolabes, noting their historical significance in Islamic cultures from before the tenth to the nineteenth century. It describes their general characteristics, such as the use of Arabic scripts, the absence of equal hour scales, and the prominence of astrological scales. It also details specific features like thrones, retes, plates, and scales on the back, including shadow squares and sine/cosine grids.
Dials: Astrolabe, Mathematics of Dialling, Historical Dials
December 2007
Page 164
Page 164
This article describes and historically surveys the method of equal altitudes, also known as the Indian Circle, used for determining the meridian and cardinal directions by observing a gnomon's shadow. It covers the practical steps, potential errors, mathematical analysis of shadow curves (conic sections), and its widespread use in ancient and medieval Eastern (India, China) and Western (Roman, early medieval Europe) cultures for architecture, town planning, and sacred rituals.
Historical Dials, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2007
Page 172
Page 172
This article discusses the historical connection between clocks, watches, and sundials, referencing an example on the cover. It examines images from J.W. Benson Ltd catalogues featuring sundials, including a horizontal sundial with a truncated gnomon creating a nodus. The author speculates whether these depicted dials are real or artistic creations.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, How Sundials Work
December 2007
Page 178
Page 178
This article describes a sundial featured on a postcard from People’s Park, Halifax. The vertical south dial, presented in 1873, includes mottoes in English, Greek, and Latin. The author notes its similarities to another dial by J. Smith in Albert Park, Middlesbrough, and dates the postcard image to the early 1900s based on its style.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Mottoes
December 2007
Page 179
Page 179
This biography details John Rowell (1689-1756), a provincial plumber and self-taught glass painter who became known for stained glass sundials in the 18th century. It covers his life, business, the influence of his clockmaker father-in-law, and two notable dials: the 'IR 1733' dial at Arbury Hall and the 1734 Purley Hall dial. The latter has undergone restoration, with analysis showing engraving errors and the design of a replacement gnomon.
Dials: Vertical, Sundial Design & Layout, Restoration projects, Historical Dials, Dials: Stained Glass
December 2007
Page 187
Page 187
This article describes a rare circular horizontal sundial by Richard Melville (signed Melvin) found in Andover, Hampshire. The dial, dated to around 1860, is unusual for Melville's work due to its circular shape and its mention of a son. It discusses the discrepancy between the declared latitude and the gnomon angle, suggesting mass production, and notes an engraving error and weathering on the dial plate.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2007
Page 189
Page 189
This is a review of 'Catalogue of Sun-dials, Nocturnals and Related Instruments in the Instituto e Museo di Storia Della Scienza, Firenze' by Anthony J Turner. The catalogue details Florence's collection of sundials, nocturnals, and other instruments, categorized using Higgins' classification. The reviewer praises the initiative but criticizes the illustration presentation, including identification, placement, size, and photographic angles.
Book Reviews, Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials, Dials: Nocturnals
December 2007
Page 192
Page 192
This article calls for a reassessment of scratch (mass) dials, noting the surprising lack of interest despite thousands surviving across Europe. The author, who stumbled upon them while researching local history, is now analyzing the BSS Mass Dial Group's extensive database using mathematical and statistical methods to gain new insights into their original prevalence, use, appearance, evolution, and eventual fate.
Mathematics of Dialling, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members, Dials: Mass Dials
February 2006
Page 6
Page 6
Drawing on Sappho's poem, this article explores the history of time measurement, from ancient astronomical principles to modern atomic clocks. It examines the evolution of the term 'hour,' different timekeeping systems (Babylonic, Italic, canonical, equal), and how celestial phenomena like moon phases and the Pleiades were interpreted to determine time and seasons.
How Sundials Work, Historical Dials, Dials: Nocturnals
February 2006
Page 16
Page 16
This article investigates the east-west orientation of UK churches and its implications for vertical sundials. It discusses historical reasons, such as facing Jerusalem or equinox sunrise, alongside practical influences like site topography that cause deviations. The author advises checking a church's orientation carefully before installing new sundials.
Dials: Vertical, Sundial Design & Layout, Historical Dials
February 2006
Page 22
Page 22
This article highlights the ongoing use of portable sundials, observed during a visit to Kentwell Hall. A re-enactor demonstrated a modern reproduction, similar to those found on the Mary Rose, to tell time within a Tudor setting. The piece celebrates the enduring relevance and practical application of these historical timekeeping instruments.
Dials: Portable, Historical Dials
February 2006
Page 23
Page 23
This article documents the restoration and analysis of an octagonal slate sundial plate from 1843, made by D. O’Connell for Revd John Pratt of Enniskean. It details the dial's engraved features, including an equation of time ring, gnomon restoration, and a geometric analysis confirming the remarkable accuracy of its construction for the specified latitude.
Dials: Horizontal, Sundial Design & Layout, Restoration projects, Historical Dials
February 2006
Page 28
Page 28
This article reviews notable sundial sales from 2005 auctions and catalogues. Featured items include diptych dials, astronomical ring dials, universal minute dials, and quadrants. The author also discusses a recognised forgery and provides insights into instrument collecting.
Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Portable, Historical Dials
February 2006
Page 33
Page 33
This update provides further information on Henry Wynne’s double horizontal dials, including new historical evidence for the Staunton Harold dial’s position from 19th-century maps and photographs. It also discusses the Wrest Park replica and criticises the National Trust’s decision to preserve a bent gnomon on the Powis Castle dial as part of its history.
Restoration projects, Historical Dials, Dials: Double Horizontal
February 2006
Page 40
Page 40
This article explores the careers and working methods of prominent 17th-century London glass sundial makers, including Baptist Sutton, John Oliver, Richard Dutton, and William Price. It identifies common features of London dials, discusses challenges in attributing their work, and examines the role of these figures as mathematical practitioners.
Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
June 2006
Page 50
Page 50
This article investigates an unusual 17th-century wall painting in Rug Chapel, North Wales, which features a dial. It details the analysis of the dial's geometry and hour lines using digital tools, comparing measured angles to calculated values for a 53° North latitude, and discusses the unexpected accuracy for a painting, suggesting sophisticated planning.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2006
Page 61
Page 61
This article discusses the potential relocation of a sundial designed by Sir Christopher Wren at All Souls’ College, Oxford. It details the long-standing grievance of traditionalists about its current misaligned position and the condition in a will left by Oxford librarian John Simmons for its return to its original location.
Historical Dials, Restoration projects
June 2006
Page 63
Page 63
This article explores the indistinct end of mass dials, discussing "transitional" forms that bridge medieval and scientific dials. It notes the appearance of numerals (Roman, Hindu-Arabic, or dot form) around the circumference of later mass dials, indicating a shift towards 12 o'clock noon, and touches on conversions to scientific dials.
Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Scaphe, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2006
Page 78
Page 78
This article reconstructs the spherical dials from the complex 1669 Pyramidical Dial in Whitehall, based on descriptions by William Leybourn. It details various glass sphere dials, including those showing time by heat ("fire"), water, optical alignment ("air"), and terrestrial globes ("earth"), and discusses their delicate construction and short lifespan.
Dials: Hemispherical, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
June 2006
Page 96
Page 96
This short note reports that the Heath & Wing dial in the Tiltyard Garden at Hampton Court Palace was badly damaged by contractors who dropped a lopped tree branch onto its pedestal. The dial is now awaiting restoration.
Historical Dials, Restoration projects
September 2006
Page 98
Page 98
A BSS group enjoyed a guided tour of the Museum of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers. The report covers the Company's 1631 founding, its extensive collection of horological instruments, and specific sundials including a large horizontal dial by Elias Allen. The museum’s curated displays offer a rich historical perspective on timekeeping.
Historical Dials
September 2006
Page 99
Page 99
This article details the rediscovery of a rare 1560 English horizontal garden sundial, previously mentioned in Mrs Gatty's book and thought lost. It describes the dial's physical characteristics, unique mottoes, heraldic engravings, and the historical context of its ownership by the Corbet family, discussing its provenance, repairs, and original location.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, Mottoes
September 2006
Page 107
Page 107
The author shares his experience in locating sundial-related place names across the UK using Ordnance Survey maps and street atlases. He recounts discoveries such as Sundial Farm, Dial House, and the famous Seven Dials in London, highlighting the unexpected insights cartography can offer into historical sundial presence and local nomenclature.
Historical Dials
September 2006
Page 109
Page 109
This section features diverse reader contributions. Topics include an anticlockwise convention for Roman numerals on old dials, warnings about Pearson-Page sundial replicas that can cause historical errors, the disappearance of a modern sundial at St. Gregory’s Minster, and a sceptical view on theories regarding continental cathedral meridian lines.
Historical Dials
September 2006
Page 112
Page 112
This article delves into a high-quality horizontal sundial by the renowned optical, mathematical, and philosophical instrument maker Thomas Jones (1775-1852). It details the dial's precise engraving, hour divisions, and accurate delineation, alongside biographical information about Jones's career, other notable instruments, and his significant contributions to science.
Dials: Horizontal, Sundial Design & Layout, Historical Dials
September 2006
Page 114
Page 114
This entry features a postcard depicting a horizontal sundial at Coldwell Clough, Kinder, in Derbyshire, a dial currently unrecorded in the BSS register. The author provides a description of its apparent design and speculates on its date based on postal information, also researching the historical family connections of the postcard's publisher.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
September 2006
Page 120
Page 120
This first part traces the historical background for English sundial makers in Russia, focusing on Peter the Great’s Grand Tour and the pivotal role of Jacob Bruce in developing the Russian Navy and establishing the Navigation School. It highlights the early import of scientific instruments and the eventual arrival of John Bradlee, the notable English sundial maker.
Historical Dials
September 2006
Page 132
Page 132
This research article investigates the theory that churches are aligned towards the sunrise on their patronal saint's feast day, based on a comprehensive survey of 1670 churches. The study considers factors like horizon elevation and calendar drift, concluding that the majority of churches consistently align towards true east, rather than their specific saint's day sunrise.
How Sundials Work, Historical Dials
September 2006
Page 137
Page 137
This report details the theft of a distinctive vertical sundial from Penshurst Place in Kent. Coincidentally, an almost identical twin dial was discovered in a private country garden, raising hopes for its potential replication to replace the stolen artifact. The article describes the unique design and features of these large, elegant vertical dials.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
September 2006
Page 138
Page 138
The discovery of a previously unknown early Italian manuscript (1477-1505) at Lund University, Sweden, is announced. Predating works by Oronce Finé and Nicholaus Kratzer, this anonymous manuscript contains significant sections on astronomy, mathematics, and sundials, featuring various dial types, including a horizontal scaphe sundial.
Book Reviews, Historical Dials, Dials: Scaphe
December 2006
Page 149
Page 149
Harriet James recounts the history of Sir Christopher Wren's vertical sundial at All Souls College, Oxford, designed around 1658 with 'stepped transversals' for accuracy. The article details its relocation in 1877 and Dr. John Simmons's long-standing, unfulfilled campaign to restore it to its original position on the chapel, also touching on Wren's early interest in dialling.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Mottoes
December 2006
Page 157
Page 157
John Wall re-examines the Dinmore sundial, attributing it to the Knights Hospitallers and dating it to the early 14th-century chapel. He identifies the unique symbol as the eight-pointed cross of St John and suggests the dial's purpose was to inform local parishioners of mass times, distinguishing it from simpler mass dials.
Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials
December 2006
Page 162
Page 162
K. Anderson describes unexpected meridian light spots observed at Arbroath Abbey, Scotland, in December 2005. Sunlight streaks through narrow lancet windows create precise light pointers at astronomical noon in the applied arcade and sacristy, confirming early meridional arrangements within the Abbey buildings, dating back to the late 1100s, highlighting ancient astronomical awareness.
Historical Dials, Dials: Noon Lines
December 2006
Page 167
Page 167
Allan Mills explores Robert Hooke's "Sundial Delineator," an instrument using a cross-shaped interior member (similar to a Hooke's joint) to simulate gnomon shadow motion for sundial delineation. The article details how Hooke's joint can be applied to delineate sundials and, when driven by a clock, create a "sundial-clock," explaining the underlying mathematical principles.
Sundial Design & Layout, Dialling Tools, Historical Dials
December 2006
Page 172
Page 172
Peter Baxandall details the restoration of the 18th-century triangular sundial on St Peter and St Paul's church in Blandford Forum. The prominent dial, designed by William Bastard, features a unique numerical layout along the base and Aries symbols suggesting an equinoctial line. The restoration, led by Harriet James, preserved its original paintwork and clarified its seasonal indications despite pediment shadows.
Dials: Vertical, Sundial Design & Layout, Restoration projects, Historical Dials
December 2006
Page 176
Page 176
Farringford, on the Isle of Wight, was the home of Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809-1892) and used to have a sundial. The dial plate itself has long gone but the pedestal remains and has two mottoes carved round it and on each of the four faces is a sculpture of ‘timekeeping’.
Historical Dials, Mottoes
December 2006
Page 180
Page 180
This multi-author report details the British Sundial Society's visit to Nürnberg, exploring historical sundials on sites like St Lawrence church (1502), the Fembo House, and various multi-faced dials in Rothenberg. The trip also included visits to St Rochus Cemetery, where gravestones of famous dial makers feature classical diptych dials.
Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Portable, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
December 2006
Page 184
Page 184
E. Theodossiou describes a unique spherical Greco-Roman sundial discovered at Dion, Macedonia, dating to the 1st century AD. This well-preserved white marble artifact, found in a 'luxurious house', features eleven hour lines and inscriptions dedicating it from I. Granius Felix, a market inspector. It is a significant find for ancient Macedonian archaeology.
Dials: Hemispherical, Historical Dials, Mottoes
December 2006
Page 186
Page 186
Graham Aldred reviews the Sol Horometer, William Pilkington's 1912 heliochronometer, developed to bypass George Gibbs's patent. It details Pilkington’s unique EoT adjustment mechanism, contrasting it with Gibbs's system, and discusses manufacturing, sighting, and pointer design. The article also compares its performance and rarity to the original Helio-Chronometer, noting the limited sales.
Sundial Design & Layout, Equation of Time, Historical Dials, Dials: Heliochronometer
March 2005
Page 15
Page 15
Examines the sundial ensemble in the courtyard of Cascina Picchetta, a 17th-century Italian villa. Analyses six wall-mounted sundials across two façades with varying hour systems (Italian, Babylonian, French, temporary), equatorial orientations, declination corrections, and historical decorative motifs. Explores Jesuit influences and conservation considerations.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
March 2005
Page 21
Page 21
Reassesses the original Anglo-Saxon sundial at St Mary’s, Stoke D’Abernon through newly discovered early photographs. Reveals the dial’s inclined face, previously unrecognized, and reviews past interpretations. Discusses typological features of Saxon angled-gnomon dials, date uncertainty, and implications for correct dating and classification.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
March 2005
Page 29
Page 29
Reviews significant auction results for sundials and related instruments in 2004. Features rare horological artifacts by Wolfgang Hager, Thomas Tompion, Christoffer Schissler, Elias Allen, Hans Ducher and others. Describes design features, historical importance, condition and sale prices, illuminating market trends in scientific timekeeping collectibles.
Historical Dials
March 2005
Page 35
Page 35
Analyses a rare Italian pillar dial in Ravenna with a horizontal gnomon, calibrated for reading the time in the Italian hours system at solar noon. Discusses calculating local noon offsets, latitude influences, and historical context of Venetian installation. Examines missing gnomon, hurricane damage and the cultural practice of hour counting from event-based day start.
Historical Dials, Dials: Noon Lines
March 2005
Page 42
Page 42
Reports recent identification of likely Anglo-Saxon sundials at English parish churches. Analyses stylistic features such as relief circles, gnomon placement and line patterns. Compares regional examples, explores reuse and church reconstructions, and discusses prospects for future discoveries, preservation strategies and scholarly classification.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
June 2005
Page 52
Page 52
Examines eight 16th-century wooden portable sundials recovered from the Mary Rose warship. Describes their construction, provenance, decoration, and probable origin in Nuremberg, with insights into use aboard ship and wider trade networks.
Dials: Portable, Historical Dials
June 2005
Page 58
Page 58
Report on an equatorial sundial in Domaso, Lake Como. Describes its construction, inscriptions, and unusual alignment to indicate clock time (at noon, inaccurate at other times) rather than true solar time, with observations of performance and speculation on design choices.
Dials: Equatorial, Historical Dials
June 2005
Page 62
Page 62
Describes unusually large and small mass dials in Worcestershire and Kent. Discusses their features, visibility, and historical significance within the tradition of church sundials.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials
June 2005
Page 64
Page 64
Investigation of unusual rows of holes in a declining painted dial partially obscured by a church clock. Considers possible purposes such as securing plaster or transfer of design, raising questions about early construction methods.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
June 2005
Page 65
Page 65
Historical account of a 1743 theft trial at the Old Bailey where a man was sentenced to transportation for stealing a sundial. Includes details of the dial’s maker, Thomas Wright, and speculation on its fate.
Historical Dials
June 2005
Page 66
Page 66
Continues analysis of how the Equation of Time was represented on sundials, with historical examples and refinements in accuracy by 17th and 18th century astronomers.
Equation of Time, Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling
September 2005
Page 101
Page 101
This article provides a detailed analysis of a horizontal sundial in Salisbury, noting its age and features. It describes the gnomon, which has a nodus that casts an ellipse of light on a black dot on the panel below the dial. It also examines the hour and declination lines, and discusses the decorations, such as the gilded letters and fleurs-de-lis.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
September 2005
Page 116
Page 116
This article investigates two medieval German sundials from 1334 and 1346 that were early attempts to display equal-length hours. The 1334 dial had a horizontal style, which was a failure, while the 1346 dial used a style pointing to the celestial pole, making it the earliest known sundial of its kind.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
September 2005
Page 119
Page 119
This article examines the history and features of the Beccles Church Dial, focusing on the holes in the stonework. The author notes that the date of its installation is unknown and corrects a previous suggestion about its history using old church accounts.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials
September 2005
Page 128
Page 128
A tribute to Dom Ethelbert Horne, a Benedictine monk who was a pioneer in the study of mass dials. The article highlights his work in identifying, recording, and publishing information about these ancient dials.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials
December 2005
Page 142
Page 142
This part of the article discusses the history and application of the analemma in equinoctial sundials, particularly in Great Britain and the Netherlands. It details inventions by Major-General John Ryder Oliver, William Pilkington, and William Homan, and provides strong evidence suggesting Johann Philipp von Wurzelbau invented the analemma around 1716, predating Jean-Paul Grandjean de Fouchy.
How Sundials Work, Equation of Time, Historical Dials, Dials: Heliochronometer
December 2005
Page 154
Page 154
This article introduces the "Timekumpas," a small, cigarette-lighter-sized equatorial dial patented in 1926. While it lacks precision due to its size, it is notable for being a universal instrument designed to allow for latitude, longitude, equation of time, and magnetic variation, making a "noble effort" to create a sophisticated, portable standard time indicator.
Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Heliochronometer, Dials: Portable, Historical Dials
December 2005
Page 160
Page 160
This article details the discovery and reconstruction of a unique 1683 combined horizontal equinoctial sundial at Lyme Hall. The author describes deciphering the inscription "R Legh 1683," examining its robust bronze construction and innovative two-hole sight/screen system. The article also explores the dial's historical context, its owner Richard Legh, and a possible link to George Gibbs's Helio-Chronometer.
Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, Restoration projects, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2005
Page 172
Page 172
This article investigates the bronze cross dial by C.V. Boys at Kew Gardens, noting its unusual design and puzzling errors in the engraved latitude and longitude. It traces the dial's history, including its temporary display and previous locations within the gardens, and highlights the scientific reputation of its designer, Sir Charles Vernon Boys FRS.
Dials: Polar, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
March 2004
Page 7
Page 7
Provides a comprehensive overview of sundials and related astronomical instruments at Trinity College, Cambridge, highlighting the college's rich history in mathematics and natural philosophy. It describes early dials, the Trinity Observatory's instruments including those by Henry Sutton and John England, and more recent installations like the First World War Memorial dial.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
March 2004
Page 18
Page 18
This article details the discovery of a previously undocumented vertical sundial at the Hossios Loukas Convent in Greece, a significant Byzantine monument. The simple, scratched dial on the Church of the Theotocos wall, featuring Indo-Arabic numerals, is noted as a rare example of sundials on Byzantine buildings in Greece, with its construction date unknown but post-13th century.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
March 2004
Page 21
Page 21
This article profiles Margaret Gatty (Mrs. Alfred Gatty), highlighting her diverse legacy in children's stories, seaweed studies, and her seminal work, 'The Book of Sundials'. It covers her early life, artistic talents, marriage, motherhood, and scientific interests, emphasising her dedication to collecting sundial mottoes which culminated in her famous book.
Historical Dials, Mottoes
March 2004
Page 26
Page 26
This article recounts an unusual incident from World War II where a German airman, Gottfried Treue, crash-landed at 'The Folly' in Gloucestershire in 1940 and broke his jaw on a sundial. The article describes the octagonal brass dial's features and its unique motto, "Time is Money," noting its current status as a "timeless memorial."
Historical Dials, Mottoes
March 2004
Page 27
Page 27
This article reviews notable sundial sales from 2003, highlighting various portable dials sold at auctions like Sotheby's and Christie's. It features different types of dials, including Butterfield dials, Universal Equinoctial Ring dials, String Gnomon dials, Miner's Dials, and a rare Elizabethan compass dial, discussing their features, makers, and sale prices.
Dials: Astrolabe, Dials: Portable, Historical Dials
March 2004
Page 33
Page 33
This article explores two historically significant sundial-related discoveries: a door from a demolished Mental Home in Wiltshire covered with calculations for a meridian line, and a scratch dial on the wall of a Nottinghamshire workhouse. It delves into the stories of the 'inmates' who created these and speculates on their accuracy and purpose.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Noon Lines, Historical Dials
June 2004
Page 47
Page 47
Historical and technical discussion of magnetic azimuth dials from the 17th century, including Dieppe ivory examples, London surveying instruments, and design considerations for modern reconstructions.
Dialling Tools, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
June 2004
Page 57
Page 57
Description and analysis of a small 1652 copper horizontal sundial found buried in a Suffolk house, possibly commemorating a solar eclipse, with historical and design observations.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
June 2004
Page 59
Page 59
Historical research on the term 'Horologium Viatorum' in Anglo-Saxon and early medieval manuscripts, its links to portable sundial analogues, and its reinterpretation in fixed stone dials.
Historical Dials
June 2004
Page 63
Page 63
Report on two unusual dials above the doorway of Vendôme’s museum, one a vertical sundial and the other with a noon line with analemma, with observations on possible missing features.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
June 2004
Page 76
Page 76
Examination of a square stone vertical dial dated 1709, with notes on its location, condition, and historical context, and a request for help in identifying its maker.
Historical Dials
June 2004
Page 77
Page 77
Discussion of a sundial design of which many examples have been found round the country by the author, with a request for information about its designer, date and decoration
Historical Dials
June 2004
Page 86
Page 86
Investigation into the earliest known dial at Chastleton House, including historical documentation and physical description.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
September 2004
Page 100
Page 100
Selections from the BSS Register highlighting notable dials (examples from Suffolk), with location, brief technical notes and historical context for each featured entry.
Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
September 2004
Page 101
Page 101
Study of a white marble vertical dial set into the south wall of the convent church: description of its semicircular plate, upside-down placement, ancient Greek numerals and discussion of likely origins (reuse from earlier Latin/antique fabric or a Byzantine installation).
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
September 2004
Page 105
Page 105
Conservation report for an east-declining carved sandstone dial: cleaning, uncovering original fixing holes, mortar repairs, paint-infill of hour lines and fitting a new brass gnomon; includes measured declination and assessment of layout inaccuracies.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
September 2004
Page 110
Page 110
Survey of Joseph McNally’s early 19th-century slate dials (mainly Portaferry area): characteristics of multiple-gnomon plates, chapter rings with alternate longitudes, mottos, colouring evidence and the regional slate-working/dial-making context.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
September 2004
Page 124
Page 124
Analysis of the small Roman bronze ‘cylindrical box’ with pierced disks in Vienna; interprets the object as a portable/rolling sundial (viatoria pensilia), applies Padre Secchi calculations and discusses mounting/suspension possibilities and function.
Dials: Portable, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
December 2004
Page 135
Page 135
Study of Thomas Wright's horizontal dial work (c.1718–1747). Analyses design features such as transversals, equation-of-time rings, geographical place-name rings, gnomon forms, engraving patterns and lettering. Includes a table of known surviving dials, drawings, a modern replica and assessment of Wright's sources.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
December 2004
Page 143
Page 143
Concluding analysis of the Roman cylindrical portable dial/box. Examines iconography, construction hypotheses (lateral hole or pivot gnomon), latitude and use-mode limitations, accuracy concerns and comparisons with related museum pieces; concludes it is plausibly a status object with limited gnomonic precision.
Dials: Portable, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
December 2004
Page 156
Page 156
December 2004
Page 157
Page 157
Detailed description and interpretation of the Anglo-Saxon sundial at St Maurice's Church: physical characteristics, carving motifs, probable dating, placement on the fabric and assessment of its historical and gnomonic significance.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials
December 2004
Page 163
Page 163
Survey of five McClintock sundials at Dunmore estate, including the 1843 Melville slate dial and its 2003 restoration, the 1936 vertical dial, the 1939 heliochronometer, construction details, inscriptions, and the estate's dial-making history.
Dials: Heliochronometer, Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
December 2004
Page 172
Page 172
Survey and technical notes on horizontal sundials placed on church towers for regulating the church clock
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
March 2003
Page 6
Page 6
A historical study of mathematical instrument makers affiliated with the Grocers' Company, focusing on 18th-century horizontal and geographical dials and their design traditions.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
March 2003
Page 15
Page 15
A selection of letters from members discussing the Crowan dial, mass dials, lines of coincidence, and leaded-in gnomons.
Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
March 2003
Page 29
Page 29
Description of two additional China sundials, extending previous findings with observations on layout and form.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
March 2003
Page 30
Page 30
Study of a historical meridian line in Palermo Cathedral, its astronomical accuracy, and interpretive significance.
Historical Dials
March 2003
Page 40
Page 40
Descriptive study of multiple dials found at St Mary's Church, including layout, inscriptions, and historical context.
Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials
June 2003
Page 47
Page 47
An analysis of one of the most sophisticated 17th-century dials made by Henry Wynne. The article describes the history, features (including its use as a moondial, star dial, and geographical dial), and modern restoration efforts of this large bronze dial.
Dials: Double Horizontal, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
June 2003
Page 68
Page 68
A historical study of a 17th-century churchyard dial in Weston Colville. The article provides details on the dial's physical characteristics, composition, and historical context.
Historical Dials
June 2003
Page 71
Page 71
A description and analysis of the large vertical sundial located at the Novodevitchiy Convent in Moscow. The article details its construction, including the size and markings on the semicircular plate and its plain iron rod gnomon.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
June 2003
Page 85
Page 85
An article based on a historical text about a specific type of portable ring sundial. It provides a detailed account and instructions on how to use it, emphasizing its historical significance and practicality.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
June 2003
Page 87
Page 87
A guide to a walking tour in Warwickshire to see a number of sundials. It describes the locations and characteristics of several dials along the route.
Historical Dials
September 2003
Page 91
Page 91
This article discusses how to recognise fake or imitation sundials. It provides a list of points to consider, such as the material used, how the markings were applied (engraved, punched, or etched), and the presence of suspicious mottoes or dates. The author also suggests tools for investigation and discusses common errors made by both forgers and legitimate makers.
Dialling Tools, Historical Dials
September 2003
Page 113
Page 113
A historical account of sundials and clocks at St Lawrence's Church in Gnosall. The article details the installation and replacement of various clocks and sundials over time, including an octagonal dial plate from 1721 which is now preserved indoors. It also mentions a new dial made in 1992.
Historical Dials
September 2003
Page 116
Page 116
A discussion about a spherical sundial discovered in the village of Hilton. The article compares it to other historical spherical dials and suggests it may have been incorrectly restored.
Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
September 2003
Page 128
Page 128
This entry describes a large horizontal sundial in San Francisco, California. Built in 1913 as a 'come-on' for a new housing development.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
December 2003
Page 148
Page 148
Analysis of a 1721 dial with unusual semicircular scales used to estimate sunrise and sunset times; includes mathematical reconstruction of how the dial may have been intended to work.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, How Sundials Work
December 2003
Page 153
Page 153
Biographical article about Thomas Hogben, an 18th-century Kent dial maker, exploring his work and its technical and historical context.
Historical Dials
December 2003
Page 169
Page 169
A short study of the tomb sundial of poet A. E. Housman, reflecting on its layout, symbolism, and poetic associations.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, Mottoes
March 2002
Page 3
Page 3
Tribute to Rene Rohr, highlighting his contributions to sundial design, literature, and his role in the BSS.
Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
March 2002
Page 27
Page 27
Reports on an unusual stained glass window sundial in York with a curiosity in the painting of a wrongly deliniated sundial in its centre.
Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, Dials: Stained Glass
March 2002
Page 35
Page 35
Overview of the design and historical use of various horary quadrants.
Dialling Tools, Historical Dials
March 2002
Page 42
Page 42
June 2002
Page 46
Page 46
A ciphered sundial motto in Italy is decoded using a Masonic pigpen cipher; the story follows the decoding process and offers a translation.
Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
June 2002
Page 48
Page 48
Explores the history and construction of the Stephenson sundial at Killingworth, discussing its educational significance and astronomical correctness.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
June 2002
Page 52
Page 52
Archaeological survey of ancient sundials discovered in Jerusalem, including conical and hemispherical dials, their contexts, and cultural relevance.
Dials: Hemispherical, Historical Dials
June 2002
Page 58
Page 58
Documents rare horizontal scratch dials found in Scottish churchyards and compares them to a similar English example, discussing their form and function.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials
June 2002
Page 63
Page 63
Historical investigation into two chapel sundials at Wadham College, including pictorial and documentary evidence of their former designs.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
June 2002
Page 69
Page 69
Description and analysis of a unique local sundial in Castletown with regional design features.
Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Unusual, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
June 2002
Page 76
Page 76
Explores historical and modern approaches to determining time after sunset using nocturnals and other devices.
Dials: Vertical, Dials: Portable, Dials: Astrolabe, Historical Dials, Dials: Nocturnals
June 2002
Page 80
Page 80
Brief report on preservation efforts for an early medieval dial, with notes on materials and techniques.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials
June 2002
Page 82
Page 82
Presents a sundial of uncertain origin with unique design elements, and speculates on its maker.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
September 2002
Page 91
Page 91
The author explores four distinctive sundials across New Zealand, discussing their design, settings, and local cultural influences, with special focus on Ray Sanson’s dials.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
September 2002
Page 109
Page 109
Continuation of a study cataloguing archaeological sundials discovered in various parts of Israel outside Jerusalem, detailing design, materials, and historical significance.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
September 2002
Page 115
Page 115
An essay reflecting on the evolution of sundial making and the Society's activities during the 20th century, highlighting significant developments and personalities.
Dials: Bifilar, Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Heliochronometer, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
September 2002
Page 126
Page 126
Technical and historical study of a well-preserved ancient Greek horizontal sundial located in Athens, analysing its construction and use.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
September 2002
Page 129
Page 129
A personal account of locating and documenting sundials in Shropshire, discussing stylistic features, history, and condition.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
December 2002
Page 135
Page 135
A detailed explanation of a unique 1803 sundial with a moon time calculator by Isaac Morris, exploring its design, mathematics, and possible use for tide prediction.
Historical Dials, Dials: Nocturnals
December 2002
Page 137
Page 137
Review of 'Time in Rutland', a comprehensive survey of bells, clocks, scratch dials, and sundials in Rutland, with illustrations and gazetteer entries.
Book Reviews, Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials
December 2002
Page 145
Page 145
Field visit report on a large vertical church sundial in Mathern, including physical description, estimated dating, and call for other large-dial contenders.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
December 2002
Page 150
Page 150
Scholarly study of a rare palimpsest dial-plate from Dinton, including historical context, inscriptions, and its re-attribution from 1395 to late 16th century.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
December 2002
Page 156
Page 156
Discussion of a historic vertical dial in Tenterden and its restoration, with background on local timekeeping and recent dial condition.
Historical Dials
December 2002
Page 168
Page 168
Observations on an unusual slate dial-plate from Crowan, Cornwall, including physical description and preliminary thoughts on its age and type.
Dials: Equatorial, Historical Dials
December 2002
Page 172
Page 172
Short article describing a modern sundial built in the USA, highlighting its layout, construction, and purpose.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
March 2001
Page 13
Page 13
An overview of the sundial located at King's College Chapel in Aberdeen. It covers the historical background of the dial, its unique design features, and any notable events or figures associated with its existence. It may also detail recent preservation or restoration efforts, highlighting the challenges and techniques used to maintain this historical timekeeping instrument.
Historical Dials
June 2001
Page 47
Page 47
This comprehensive article details the double-horizontal sundial, distinguishing it from William Oughtred's earlier portable instrument. It explains its design, historical prevalence from 1630-1713, and methods for reading its complex graduations. The author also discusses modern examples and the use of stereographic projection in its delineation, providing a list of existing historical and contemporary dials.
Dials: Double Horizontal, Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2001
Page 60
Page 60
This article discusses the 17th-century work of Richard Towneley and John Flamsteed on the Equation of Time. It highlights their correspondence and experiments aimed at validating the Equation of Time and confirming the Earth's constant rotational speed, discussing earlier publications and the ongoing controversies surrounding this astronomical concept.
Equation of Time, Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling
June 2001
Page 79
Page 79
Mike Cowham explains how the historical change from the Julian to Gregorian calendars can serve as a dating aid for sundials. He outlines methods for identifying pre- and post-1752 dials based on calendar scales and Equation of Time tables, providing examples from historical quadrants and portable dials across Europe.
Equation of Time, Historical Dials
September 2001
Page 91
Page 91
A newly discovered medieval scratch dial in the Armenian Church in Jerusalem is detailed. Discovered on the southern wall, it's a half-circle with 12 hour sectors marked by Armenian letters. A simpler "twin sundial" is also present, possibly for different religious needs. Historical evidence suggests the dials date to the 12th century, making them the first post-Byzantine sundials found in Israel.
Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
September 2001
Page 92
Page 92
This article explores three freestanding stone "Father Time" statues in Britain, each incorporating a horizontal sundial. All are attributed to sculptor John Nost from the early 18th century and feature sundial plates by Thomas Heath. The article discusses the origin of the Father Time iconography and notes the uniqueness of these statues in depicting him with a sundial rather than an hourglass.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
September 2001
Page 111
Page 111
A review of "The Universe Unveiled. Instruments and Images through History", based on the Adler Planetarium"s collection. The book showcases historical astronomical instruments and illustrations, explaining how they contributed to understanding celestial movements. The reviewer praises the book's stunning visuals and engaging narrative, recommending it as an introduction to the history of post-Copernican astronomy.
Dials: Astrolabe, Book Reviews, Historical Dials
September 2001
Page 114
Page 114
The third part of a series on the Gatty family, focusing on the children of Mrs. Gatty, author of "Book of Sun-dials." It highlights their literary talents, particularly Juliana Horatia Ewing, an eminent children's writer. The article also discusses other authors influenced by Mrs. Gatty's seminal work, detailing various historical sundial books and mottoes.
Book Reviews, Historical Dials, Mottoes
September 2001
Page 117
Page 117
This article details the discovery of an earlier pair of wooden Tudor sundials hidden beneath later ones during demolition at Smart's Wharf in Ipswich. The original dials, dating around 1600, featured a "Protestant work ethic" motto. Analysis revealed the replacement dials were more accurate and likely installed in the mid-1700s, showcasing the efforts made to maintain dial accuracy.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
December 2001
Page 135
Page 135
This article details ancient timekeeping systems, including Babylonian hours from sunrise, Italian hours from sunset, and the Arabs' midnight-start 24-hour day. It also explores Japanese unequal hours, divided into 12 'tokis', noting their abandonment in 1873 for international time. The evolution of numerals on sundials, from early European to Arabic and stylised forms, is also discussed.
Dials: Portable, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2001
Page 138
Page 138
This article examines the double-horizontal sundial, a 17th-century invention by William Oughtred. It features two sets of graduations: one for an inclined polar gnomon and another for a central vertical gnomon, operating from altitude and azimuth. The article details its design, use for time, date, and solar altitude, and discusses its self-setting property and limitations due to orientation error.
Dials: Double Horizontal, Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2001
Page 147
Page 147
This article reports on the 2001 Wales Sundial Safari, detailing the examination of various sundials across the region. Highlights include a rare bridge sundial, historical church dials, a heliochronometer, and an ancient Celtic stele dial. The tour also featured a moon dial, various horizontal and vertical designs, and complex multi-component dials like the 1595 Marrington Hall example, showcasing Wales's diverse gnomonic heritage.
Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
December 2001
Page 158
Page 158
This section reviews two books. The first, a reprint of T.W. Cole's 'Origin and Use of Church Scratch-Dials,' covers mass dials and their history. The second reviews Hester Higton's 'Sundials: An Illustrated History of Portable Dials,' praised for its lavish illustrations and historical context of various portable dial types. While generally well-received, factual errors regarding dial functionality and minor layout issues are noted in Higton's work.
Book Reviews, Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Portable, Historical Dials
December 2001
Page 160
Page 160
This article investigates the 'Bacon' double horizontal dial, an intriguing 17th or early 18th-century brass instrument of unknown origin. Its unique Equation of Time table and stereographic grid are detailed. Analysis suggests it predates 1752 and aligns with Tompion's calculations. A modern replica, crafted using CAD and photolithography, is also described, featuring updated EoT values and modern heraldry, signed by its maker.
Construction Projects, Dials: Double Horizontal, Equation of Time, Historical Dials
December 2001
Page 166
Page 166
This article details three interesting sundials on Jersey. St Brelade's Church features an 1837 south-facing vertical dial with a unique Equation of Time indicator. A circa 1825 vertical declining dial by Elias le Gros in St Helier's Royal Square is notable for its history of obliteration and restoration. The third is a possible medieval Mass Dial, a carved stone found partially buried, suggesting its age and raising questions about its original function.
Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Vertical, Equation of Time, Historical Dials
December 2001
Page 169
Page 169
This article, the second part on railway-related sundials, describes two identical horizontal sundials commissioned in 1992. They commemorate the centenary of the Rochers de Naye mountain railway in Switzerland. These bronze dials feature a cogwheel design, an Equation of Time graph, and separate hour lines for summer and winter. The author notes that electric clocks are still preferred for official timekeeping, and clarifies the one-hour time zone difference between UK and Switzerland.
Dials: Horizontal, Equation of Time, Historical Dials
December 2001
Page 171
Page 171
This article presents a 17th-century recipe for a strong mortar, suitable for creating a flat surface for a vertical sundial. From Richard Neve's 'The City and Country Purchaser, and Builder's Dictionary,' it uses lime and sand with linseed oil or skimmed milk. A tougher version includes 'boring/gun dust.' The author notes fast-drying and cracking issues, suggesting alternative preparations, and contextualizes Neve's architectural dictionary.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
February 2000
Page 3
Page 3
Explores early Greek and Roman hemispherical and hemicyclium sundials, their geometry, historical usage, and accuracy.
Dials: Hemispherical, Historical Dials, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling
February 2000
Page 11
Page 11
Discusses the transition from local time to Greenwich Mean Time prompted by the needs of railway timetables, and a sundial-themed punctuality trophy.
Historical Dials
February 2000
Page 16
Page 16
Describes a visit to a church in Normandy with a meridian line inscribed on the floor, with zodiac signs and associated solar observations.
Historical Dials
February 2000
Page 29
Page 29
February 2000
Page 32
Page 32
Description of restoration of two historical sundials and their historical and technical features.
Historical Dials, Restoration projects
February 2000
Page 35
Page 35
Concludes a series on Anglo-Saxon sundials, examining late-period examples at two churches.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials
February 2000
Page 49
Page 49
Humorous article on the variation between apparent time and mean time through the year
Equation of Time, Historical Dials
June 2000
Page 64
Page 64
Continues an exploration of ancient sundials, focusing on conical types and their mathematical construction and historical context.
Dials: Scaphe, Historical Dials, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling
June 2000
Page 76
Page 76
Explores the background and family history of Mrs. Gatty, author of the classic sundial book, focusing on her early influences.
Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
June 2000
Page 84
Page 84
Discusses Britain’s oldest known meridian line and its historical and astronomical significance.
Historical Dials
June 2000
Page 86
Page 86
Summary of a lecture by Dr Frank King covering sundials in Cambridge, both historic and recent.
Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
June 2000
Page 88
Page 88
Review of John Heilbron's book detailing cathedral meridian lines and the Catholic Church's role in astronomy.
Book Reviews, Historical Dials
June 2000
Page 91
Page 91
Speculative article on the possible existence of sundials before the Saxon period in Britain.
Historical Dials
October 2000
Page 109
Page 109
Explores the historical and liturgical rationale behind medieval six-sector sundials, their canonical hour divisions, and theological symbolism.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling
October 2000
Page 129
Page 129
Trip report on a wet BSS expedition to Scotland documenting sundials, including locations, dial types, and travel experiences.
Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
October 2000
Page 149
Page 149
Continues the historical account of Mrs. Gatty and her influential sundial book, examining its impact and reception.
Book Reviews, Historical Dials
February 1999
Page 4
Page 4
This article explores Anglo-Saxon sundials, using sparse material and documentary evidence to conjecture their role in daily life. It identifies characteristics distinguishing them from post-Norman dials, discusses their introduction by the Roman Church, and their use in regulating canonical hours in monastic communities.
Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials
February 1999
Page 8
Page 8
The author recounts discovering a Bernhardt dial at the Hebrew University in Rehovoth, Israel, in 1980. This memorial to Sir Hans Kronberger features special gnomon and dial shapes designed to provide directly read local mean time accurate to within a fraction of a minute.
Dials: Unusual, Equation of Time, Historical Dials
February 1999
Page 10
Page 10
Ann Colville shares memories of growing up with a heliochronometer at Holehird during WWII, where it served as the family's primary timekeeper, for regulating the long case clock. The article highlights its accuracy, the care it received, and its eventual journey to America, now a preserved curiosity.
Historical Dials, Dials: Heliochronometer
February 1999
Page 11
Page 11
This article describes a utilitarian kitchen sundial found at Villa Quirici in Pedona, Italy, which is accurately delineated from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Despite its practicality, its position suggested it was overshadowed until late morning, raising questions about its original function for timing meals.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
February 1999
Page 12
Page 12
During restoration of the "Heaven's Gate" folly at Highclere Castle, two surprises were uncovered: a chimney flue in the pediment and a sundial engraved on the underside of an urn lid, dated 1737. The author theorizes the sundial was made by masons to regulate their workday.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
February 1999
Page 14
Page 14
This review discusses two papers on conical sundials, a less familiar type compared to the hemicyclium. It focuses on a conical dial found at Abu Mina, Egypt, dating from the 1st to 3rd century A.D., analyzing its construction, accuracy, and challenging previous interpretations of its markings.
Book Reviews, Sundial Design & Layout, Historical Dials, Dials: Scaphe
February 1999
Page 19
Page 19
This paper examines two unusual altitude sundials by Humphrey Cole from the Science Museum, one from 1568-1569 and another from 1574. It analyzes their unique gnomon operation for measuring sun height and reading hours, suggesting a new sub-section in sundial classification for Cole's distinctive horizontal plate altitude dials.
Dials: Portable, Sundial Design & Layout, Historical Dials
February 1999
Page 23
Page 23
This article details the restoration and reinstallation of the Pilkington & Gibbs Helio-Chronometer at Holehird. It recounts its history, its protection by a glass bell jar, and the innovative security measures implemented for its current display, allowing it to accurately tell time for another century.
Restoration projects, Historical Dials, Dials: Heliochronometer
February 1999
Page 46
Page 46
Frank Coe compares sundial references in Arthur Mee's 1947 "King's England" volume for Northamptonshire with the 1996 BSS Register. He identifies eleven Mee-listed sundials present in the Register, nine others that are now lost or uncatalogued, and 28 'mass' or 'scratch' dials, mostly on churches.
Book Reviews, Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials
June 1999
Page 55
Page 55
This article describes a rare 1834 meridian dial in Nottingham's Bromley House Subscription Library. It features a brass strip on the first floor, which was covered for 150 years. The dial was used to ascertain Local Apparent Noon and is complemented by two longcase clocks with inscribed time differences. Efforts are underway for its partial restoration, noting its excellent condition in fine surroundings.
Dials: Noon Lines, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
June 1999
Page 70
Page 70
This article investigates a hillside sundial, known as the "Shepherd's Dyal," in Settle, Yorkshire, depicted in a 1720 sketch by Samuel Buck. It examines the dial's creation, disappearance between 1750 and 1779, and functionality. The analysis suggests the dial, with stone hour markers, was likely laid out empirically at the Summer Solstice, making it useful as a time-keeper only for a few weeks around mid-summer.
Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
June 1999
Page 72
Page 72
This article reviews recent sundial sales at Christies and Sotheby's, highlighting several exciting and rare items. It describes five ivory diptych dials, an inclining dial by Chapotot, an astronomical ring dial attributed to Louvain (c.1550), a medieval astrolabe from the 14th century, a mechanical equinoctial dial by J. J. Knittel, a scaphe dial by Georg Hartmann (1547), and unique dials by Timothee Collet (c.1675).
Historical Dials
June 1999
Page 76
Page 76
This article describes collecting crested china sundials, small porcelain souvenirs popular in Victorian and Edwardian times, which feature coats of arms. The author details his collection, including pieces from Carlton China and Willow Art, noting their dimensions, gnomon angles, and inaccuracies for specific locations. He also shares a motto found on one piece and resources for other collectors.
Historical Dials, Mottoes
June 1999
Page 83
Page 83
This article examines two well-preserved Anglo-Saxon sundials at Escomb (County Durham, 7th-8th century) and Corhampton (Hampshire, late 7th century). It details their unique designs, locations, historical context, and possible symbolic meanings for newly converted Christians, suggesting their primary purpose was not necessarily precise time measurement but rather religious instruction and marking services.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials
June 1999
Page 87
Page 87
This article describes a rare eyelet-hole scaphe sundial discovered at a Roman villa in Carthage, dating to 1st century AD or later. It details the marble artefact's exterior, including oak-leaf decoration and a fixing wedge, and its highly polished interior with seven non-concentric curves and eleven hour lines. Unique inscriptions in Greek and Latin Julian month names, including 'Augustus' (dating it after 9 BC), and zodiac signs mark its exceptional nature.
Dials: Scaphe, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
June 1999
Page 92
Page 92
This article investigates sundials manufactured by Francis Barker & Son, a renowned London-based firm (1850-1926) specializing in horizontal garden dials. It describes specific examples, like one at the RHS Wisley, and discusses their promotion through "advertising tie-ins" in the Horological Journal. The article highlights two notable designs: one showing distances to various places and another displaying local time at different latitudes globally, showcasing their quality and elaborate engraving.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
June 1999
Page 100
Page 100
This article classifies seventeen Anglo-Saxon sundials in Northumbria, categorizing them into four types based on design evolution from the 7th-8th century onwards. It details specific dials at Escomb, Dalton-le-Dale, Staindrop, Hart, and others, describing their physical characteristics, historical context, and erosion. The authors suggest a decline in construction delicacy over time and emphasize the need for conservation of these antiquities.
Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials
October 1999
Page 107
Page 107
This article discusses the sundial at St Mary's Church, Stoke D'Abernon, a 7th-century Saxon church. It details the 1933 remaking of the dial after a fall, based on pre-Conquest prototypes shown in 19th-century sketches. The current replica is believed to be unique as the only known Saxon dial replica on a church wall in the UK, with markings consistent with an octaval system.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
October 1999
Page 108
Page 108
This article describes two sundials in Andover, Hampshire, both linked to William Hawkins Heath (1787-1861), a brewer and banker. One, dated 1846, is on London Street with the motto 'Respice Finem' and an equation of time table bears just the initials W.H.H. The second, dated 1833, is in poor condition on the Savoy Cinema (formerly Heath House) and bears his full name, solving the initials riddle. The article details Heath's family business and civic roles.
Dials: Vertical, Equation of Time, Historical Dials, Mottoes
October 1999
Page 122
Page 122
This article examines Anglo-Saxon sundials from England's middle period (10th century revival), focusing on Darlington and Pittington. It traces their derivation from the Graeco-Roman hemicycle, adapted for early Christian communities, incorporating four-part day divisions. The Darlington dial, carved on both sides, shows evolution in design and symbolic meanings. The Pittington dial is noted as England's earliest six-division example, influenced by Italian and Byzantine styles, potentially reflecting a rearrangement of canonical hours.
Sundial Design & Layout, Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials
October 1999
Page 139
Page 139
This article surveys 214 fixed sundials in the former SFR Yugoslavia, now divided into multiple new states. It highlights a Roman spherical dial from Sremska Mitrovica, the oldest Serbian sundial at Studenica Monastery (12th century), and the horizontal dial at Belgrade Observatory. It notes the scarcity of sundials in Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina due to Turkish reign, and discusses Italian-influenced medieval stone dials on the Croatian Adriatic coast, including one in Dubrovnik with both contemporary and old Italian hour scales.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Portable, Dials: Scaphe, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
February 1998
Page 10
Page 10
Introduces a reconstructed sun compass inspired by a Greenland find and sets it in Norse navigation: maintaining latitude by noon Sun and Polaris, with practical insights on use at high latitudes and during seasons when both Sun and star are visible.
Dials: Portable, Historical Dials
February 1998
Page 13
Page 13
Notes an article from 1896 describing a dial found in a tomb of the VII or VIIIth century, with equal hour lines, which would be the earliest known dial in Europe with 'astronomical' hours.
Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
February 1998
Page 14
Page 14
A site note on a heliochronometer at Dunchurch Lodge, describing layout, reading, and mechanical features of this precision time-telling instrument and its context on the estate.
Dials: Heliochronometer, Historical Dials
February 1998
Page 19
Page 19
Describes the Poulton Hall dial on the Wirral peninsula: setting, design features and inscriptions, with observations on the equation of time using the pre-Gregorian calendar, an the lack of a noon gap.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
February 1998
Page 22
Page 22
Survey of painted dials in a monastery cloister at Taggia (Imperia), noting multiple faces, canonical hours and decorative treatments, with historical context and observations on preservation.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
February 1998
Page 28
Page 28
Field note on a simple home-made vernacular horizontal dial from outback Australia, describing fabric, gnomon form and scale, with comments on accuracy of delineation and local use.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
February 1998
Page 36
Page 36
Account of four meridian lines in Rome: noon-mark function, layout and observational practice, with notes on accuracy and historical purpose.
Dials: Noon Lines, Historical Dials
February 1998
Page 46
Page 46
Argues for re-evaluation of Roman portable dials: forms, readings and classification, urging fresh analysis of surviving pieces and their interpretation.
Dials: Portable, Historical Dials
June 1998
Page 4
Page 4
A history of ancient Egyptian methods of time measurement, from early shadow clocks to later step-sundials. It explains how these instruments worked, their limitations, and mentions the work of Jean-Francois Champollion in identifying one.
Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
June 1998
Page 9
Page 9
This article details a sundial located on the North Terrace of Windsor Castle, commissioned by Charles II and crafted by Grinling Gibbons. It describes the intricate engravings on the gnomon, featuring the King's monogram, and the dial-plate with the Garter Star and motto. It also touches upon the challenges of its conservation.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
June 1998
Page 14
Page 14
This article discusses the division of the day as described in Dante's 'Divine Comedy' and the commentary by Da Buti, explaining how the church used seasonal hours and placed offices around the hour of midday. It also connects the hourly markers on a sundial to the end of time periods rather than the beginning.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials
June 1998
Page 41
Page 41
This article reports on the discovery of two medieval vertical scratched dials on churches in Narda and Sopron, Hungary, dating from the 13th and 14th centuries. It also features two recently constructed sundials on historical buildings in Szombathely and Pannonhalma, illustrating both ancient and contemporary gnomonic practices in Hungary.
Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
October 1998
Page 3
Page 3
This article explores hidden meanings, symbolism, and imagery in sundials. It delves into devices like chronograms, palindromes, anagrams, rebuses, and "false identity" dials, presenting examples and puzzles (with solutions) related to cryptic inscriptions and designs.
Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, Mottoes, Sundial Design & Layout
October 1998
Page 6
Page 6
Reports on the Mass Dial group's weekend hunt in East Anglia, organised by Dr. John Davis. Members explored churches in Norfolk and Suffolk, locating 155 dials on 109 churches, despite challenges like rain and overgrown churchyards. The report also touches upon local architecture, like round towers, and the gradual disappearance of older dials.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
October 1998
Page 10
Page 10
This report summarises the BSS Newbury meeting on the eve of the Summer Solstice. It covers talks on Hampshire sundials, raised horizontal dials, astro-compass conversions, and a sun compass. The event also featured an exhibition of various sundials and computer programs, highlighting members' ingenuity and the collaborative spirit of the society.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dialling Tools, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
October 1998
Page 12
Page 12
Analysis of the Sundials on the Tower of the Winds, Athens: Possible Parameters Used in Construction
This article presents a detailed analysis of the ancient sundials on the Tower of the Winds in Athens using high-precision geodetic data. The study aims to identify the cardinal design parameters, such as geographic latitude, ecliptic angle, and gnomon length, used in their construction. It explores historical measurements and proposes a plausible interpretation for the cylindrical dial.
Dials: Cylindrical, Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
October 1998
Page 20
Page 20
This article explores the scarcity of early Christian mass dials in Ireland, contrasting it with their prevalence in England and France. It discusses the potential fate of portable dials, the discovery of a 'Sundial' stone at Boyle Abbey with curious markings, and poses questions about its purpose to readers.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials
October 1998
Page 24
Page 24
This section features a collection of correspondence from readers covering diverse topics. These include the origin of Bernhardt Dials, methods for finding the meridian, updates on Newbury BSS meetings, a problematic sundial in Lluc, Mallorca, discussions on the 'Eureka' credit card compass, and inquiries about spherical and 'problematic' Italian dials.
Dialling Tools, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
October 1998
Page 30
Page 30
This article explores two types of ancient Egyptian sundials: L-shaped shadow clocks and sloping sundials. It discusses their religious and practical contexts, refutes the 'crossbar hypothesis' for shadow clocks, and traces the evolution of these instruments through hieroglyphs. The article concludes that these devices served as symbolic representations rather than accurate time-keepers.
Dials: Portable, Historical Dials
October 1998
Page 37
Page 37
This article documents the impact of the civil war in former Yugoslavia on some sundials in Sarajevo, illustrating their destruction and disappearance. Through before-and-after photographs, it shows a marble sundial damaged by a shell fragment, a faculty building dial hit by artillery, and a west-facing wall dial that vanished, highlighting how even these silent timekeepers suffer during conflict.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
October 1998
Page 38
Page 38
This section reviews three offprints: Dr. Wall's study of Anglo-Saxon sundials in Ryedale, detailing octaval day divisions; Finn Magnusen's monograph on ancient Scandinavian time divisions and 'daymarks'; and Dr. Milutin Tadic's paper on old sundials in Serbian lands, covering Roman, medieval, and 19th-century examples, noting their scarcity due to Turkish rule.
Book Reviews, Historical Dials
October 1998
Page 44
Page 44
This article investigates the history and interpretation of cross-beam ciphers found on medieval sundials and calendars across Northern and Central Europe. It challenges previous terminologies like 'carpenter's numerals' and 'Styrian ciphers', proposing a new theory that these ciphers originated from condensed counting frames (abaci) used for financial calculations.
Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
January 1997
Page 16
Page 16
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
January 1997
Page 21
Page 21
An account of sundials in South Africa’s Umkhonto We Langa area, describing their design, cultural significance, and local craftsmanship. Discusses both historical context and modern appreciation.
Historical Dials
January 1997
Page 45
Page 45
Description of the sundials at Sundial House in Culcheth, Greater Manchester, their historical setting, and unique design elements. Notes on their preservation and cultural value.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
April 1997
Page 11
Page 11
A systematic study of seventy medieval mass dials, analysing their patterns, calibrations, and probable uses, with observations on design variations, dating, and functional purpose.
Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling
April 1997
Page 17
Page 17
An historical narrative tracing two related sundials from the Netherlands found in England, exploring their origins, makers, and cultural journey.
Historical Dials
April 1997
Page 29
Page 29
A survey of the varied sundials at Kew Gardens, describing their designs, historical backgrounds, and placement within the gardens’ landscape.
Historical Dials
April 1997
Page 34
Page 34
A case study in the careful restoration of an old vertical sundial, detailing the methods used, historical context, and preservation considerations.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
April 1997
Page 37
Page 37
An investigation into a Dublin-made sundial by the maker Walker, examining its craftsmanship, historical significance, and distinguishing features.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
April 1997
Page 40
Page 40
A narrative retracing the travels and dial discoveries of author Arthur Mee, connecting past observations with present-day visits.
Historical Dials
April 1997
Page 48
Page 48
A discussion of the Pelignum, a lesser-known sundial form, exploring its history, design, and cultural significance.
Historical Dials
April 1997
Page 51
Page 51
An account of the Queen’s College sundial, its history, design, and significance within its architectural setting.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
July 1997
Page 3
Page 3
This article provides a historical overview of sundials in Israel, from ancient biblical references and archaeological artifacts to sundial makers of the 20th century. It describes various types of dials, including hemicycliums, portable stone dials, and modern vertical and horizontal dials.
Dials: Hemispherical, Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
July 1997
Page 8
Page 8
A short piece about the south-facing sundial designed and built by George and Robert Stephenson in 1816, of which they were very proud, delineating it from first principles.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
July 1997
Page 15
Page 15
This article investigates a window dial in a church at Apuldram, using a vertical gnomon, thus being accurate on only two days in the year, one of which is the patronal saints day. It discusses the history of the church and the dial, and that the architectural changes to the church mean that the dial is now shaded for half the time.
Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
July 1997
Page 20
Page 20
This article explores the history and function of the sundial at Chartres Cathedral, which is known as 'The Angel of Chartres'. It discusses how the dial provided local solar time and served as a benchmark for timekeeping, even after the introduction of mechanical clocks.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
July 1997
Page 37
Page 37
A corrected version of a table of compass directions of ports on four Bonar sundials
Historical Dials
October 1997
Page 8
Page 8
This article describes the Turnbull Dial at Corpus Christi College, Oxford, a 26-foot pillar featuring a total of 27 dials. Designed in 1579-1583 by Charles Turnbull, it includes a principal south-facing dial, a perpetual calendar, tables for planetary years and lunar months, and moon-time corrections. The dials use the old unequal hour system, and the pillar has undergone several restorations.
Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Scaphe, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
October 1997
Page 13
Page 13
This survey details the unique sundials of early Irish monastic communities (6th-15th centuries), cut from single stone steles and often engraved with crosses. Used by monks for religious services, these dials feature varying hour lines and decorative elements for canonical hours. The article describes specific examples and discusses their construction, placement in cemeteries, and the debate over large gnomon holes.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials
October 1997
Page 51
Page 51
This section provides photographs of various sundials in Hesse, Germany, including a stone equatorial dial by Kieling, a vertical declining dial by Schaldach, a mass dial on a church buttress in Steinau, and a sundial in a park in St. Goarshausen.
Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
February 1996
Page 12
Page 12
A technical analysis of two rare mass dials found on a Dorset church, discussing their design, orientation, and potential liturgical functions.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials
February 1996
Page 16
Page 16
A description of a large vertical sundial erected in Chatham to commemorate Admiral Nelson, designed to mark the time of his death at Trafalgar.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
February 1996
Page 19
Page 19
A survey of sundials in the Talmont region, with historical context and discussion of their styles and condition.
Historical Dials
February 1996
Page 33
Page 33
An account of the sundial monument built in Guernsey to mark its liberation during WWII, and its design.
Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
June 1996
Page 16
Page 16
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
June 1996
Page 29
Page 29
A search for a sundial mentioned in the writings of poet William Cowper, blending literary investigation with sundial history and field research.
Historical Dials
June 1996
Page 32
Page 32
A follow-up survey of sundials found in the Talmont region, documenting their design features, condition, and historical settings.
Historical Dials
June 1996
Page 34
Page 34
Reflections on historic sundials mentioned in Arthur Mee’s ‘The King’s England’, with commentary on their cultural and historical context.
Historical Dials
June 1996
Page 39
Page 39
An overview of a large commemorative sundial in Chatham, highlighting its naval heritage, symbolic design, and community impact.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling
June 1996
Page 44
Page 44
Explains the historical astronomical instrument called the torquetum, its gnomonic uses, and significance in early timekeeping.
Historical Dials
June 1996
Page 49
Page 49
An exploration of a sundial associated with Thomas Hardy, linking literary history with dial design and interpretation.
Historical Dials
June 1996
Page 52
Page 52
Describes the sundials and garden layout at Groombridge Place, with commentary on restoration efforts and their historical setting.
Historical Dials
October 1996
Page 2
Page 2
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
October 1996
Page 6
Page 6
A comprehensive study of the Saxon sundial at St. Gregory’s Minster, Kirkdale, discussing its historical inscriptions, layout, cultural significance, and the tidal time system used in its design.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials
October 1996
Page 16
Page 16
An in-depth examination of moondial designs and historical interpretations, correcting common errors in classical references, and proposing refinements to improve accuracy and aesthetic integration.
Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
October 1996
Page 20
Page 20
A technical description of a cross-shaped sundial in Bramdean, examining its geometry, alignment, and historical context, including comparisons with other known cross dials.
Historical Dials
October 1996
Page 28
Page 28
A historical survey of dial makers in Leicestershire, providing names, dates, and details of their craftsmanship and surviving works.
Historical Dials
October 1996
Page 29
Page 29
An account of a sundial found at a Tyneside shipyard, analysing its design, probable origins, and its place in the maritime and industrial history of the region.
Historical Dials
October 1996
Page 32
Page 32
A scholarly examination of vertical sundials from the early medieval to late medieval periods, including typologies, geographic distribution, and functional evolution.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
October 1996
Page 44
Page 44
An exploration of sundials featured on vintage postcards, considering their role as both functional objects and decorative motifs in popular culture.
Historical Dials, Mottoes
February 1995
Page 2
Page 2
A detailed historical and archaeological analysis of the Bewcastle Cross in Cumbria, focusing on its origins, runic inscriptions, and the embedded early Christian sundial, alongside its stylistic comparisons with other Anglo-Saxon monuments.
Dials: Unusual, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
February 1995
Page 9
Page 9
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
February 1995
Page 34
Page 34
A report on the discovery and analysis of a rare medieval sundial found at a church in Ráckeve, including its historical context and architectural integration.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials
June 1995
Page 4
Page 4
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
June 1995
Page 10
Page 10
A continuation of the detailed study of the Bewcastle Cross, focusing on its sundial, historical dating, construction theories, and preservation concerns, with references to replicas and Anglo-Saxon design.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials
June 1995
Page 19
Page 19
An article in Italian exploring the Tower of the Winds in the Vatican, discussing its architectural and gnomonic features and role in timekeeping history.
Historical Dials
June 1995
Page 24
Page 24
A technical and historical discussion on the anemoscope and meridian line within the Vatican's Tower of the Winds, detailing its astronomical and architectural use.
Historical Dials
June 1995
Page 27
Page 27
A report on a vertical sundial attributed to Richard Melville in Salisbury, with discussion of its features, condition, and historical context.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
June 1995
Page 39
Page 39
A detailed study of a multi-faced pendant dial designed to tell time on multiple surfaces, including its design, layout, and astronomical considerations.
Dials: Portable, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
October 1995
Page 4
Page 4
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
October 1995
Page 12
Page 12
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
October 1995
Page 39
Page 39
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
February 1994
Page 3
Page 3
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
February 1994
Page 9
Page 9
Survey of artistic representations of sundials across centuries, evaluating their accuracy, symbolism, and evolution, with references to works by Holbein and others.
Historical Dials
February 1994
Page 28
Page 28
Analysis of sundials and astronomical instruments in Holbein’s painting 'The Ambassadors', with insights into symbolism, usage, and historical context.
Historical Dials
February 1994
Page 42
Page 42
Biographical summary of Nicholas Kratzer, a notable early 16th-century diallist and scientific advisor to Henry VIII.
Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
June 1994
Page 2
Page 2
An in-depth historical and mathematical exploration of the analemma and its application in sundial construction. This first part traces its etymology and use from ancient times through Ptolemy, Vitruvius, and Renaissance scholars, connecting it with the development of the analemmatic sundial. Richly referenced and scholarly, it bridges history and design.
Dials: Analemmatic, Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling
June 1994
Page 7
Page 7
This article explores early timekeeping devices designed for night use, especially nocturnals, which rely on the stars. The main focus is on an unusual 18th-century portable nocturnal made in Granada by Cecyl Yode, with reversed hour scales likely referencing Sirius and Vega. The piece blends astronomy, craftsmanship, and mystery.
Dials: Portable, Historical Dials
June 1994
Page 11
Page 11
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
June 1994
Page 18
Page 18
A speculative and creative proposal suggesting that the ancients may have used barleycorns—a traditional length unit—to construct circular sundials. The article blends folklore, geometry, and practical experimentation to explore how such a simple method could lead to effective sundial designs.
Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling
June 1994
Page 22
Page 22
A scholarly exploration of the design and function of a unique astrolabe developed by the 16th-century English mathematician John Blagrave. The article explains its astronomical foundations, innovative features, and historical context, linking it to broader developments in Renaissance scientific instrumentation.
Dials: Astrolabe, Historical Dials, How Sundials Work
June 1994
Page 30
Page 30
An account of a rare Chinese sundial that divides the day into 100 equal parts, reflecting non-Western conceptions of time. The author explains its structure, cultural context, and implications for timekeeping history, offering a comparative view with European traditions.
Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
June 1994
Page 32
Page 32
Part one of a detailed study of the meridian line in San Petronio, a 17th-century astronomical installation in Bologna. The article outlines its construction, alignment, and function in tracking solar time and determining dates such as solstices, serving both scientific and liturgical purposes.
Dials: Noon Lines, Equation of Time, Historical Dials
June 1994
Page 39
Page 39
An examination of an analemmatic sundial discovered in Transylvania, analysing its layout, mathematical principles, and probable origin. The author reflects on its preservation and the unique aspects of its design that distinguish it from Western examples.
Dials: Analemmatic, Historical Dials
June 1994
Page 42
Page 42
A historical overview of portable timekeeping devices in Roman times, such as ring dials and folding dials. The article discusses their construction, inscriptions, and cultural significance, providing archaeological context and interpretations of surviving examples.
Dials: Portable, Historical Dials
October 1994
Page 7
Page 7
This article describes the large painted sundial in the Old Court of Queens' College, Cambridge. It discusses its history, including early records, refurbishments, and frequent repainting due to paint deterioration. The article refutes the tradition that Sir Isaac Newton designed the dial, details its features like the gilt sun-burst gnomon, Roman numerals, zodiacal signs, and scales for day duration and sunrise time. It also clarifies that it's not a "Moon dial" but has a moon table of dubious utility, and suggests improvements for future restoration for better clarity and accuracy.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
October 1994
Page 10
Page 10
This article details the history and restoration of the Gate of Honour at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, which features six sundials. It covers the gate's construction, early repairs and repainting efforts, and its decay over centuries due to porous stone and vandalism. The focus shifts to the 1958-1959 quatercentenary restoration, during which the original painted dials were replaced with expensive bronze plates with enamel fillings. The article also mentions a separate pillar in Caius Court that once housed sixty dials, emphasizing the craftsmanship and decorative nature of these historical timepieces.
Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
October 1994
Page 14
Page 14
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 1994
Page 22
Page 22
This article, the second part of a series, details the reconstruction and ongoing maintenance of the meridian line in the Basilica of San Petronio, Bologna. It describes Eustachio Zanotti's 1776 restoration, which aimed to retain Cassini's original dimensions while improving stability with new materials. The article highlights the meridian's function in accurately determining the vernal equinox and its use for astronomical observations and calendar correction. It also covers Federigo Guarducci's 1904 inspection confirming the instrument's excellent preservation and stability, and discusses an adjacent 1758 mechanical "equation clock" used to reconcile true solar time with mean time.
Dials: Noon Lines, Historical Dials
October 1994
Page 24
Page 24
This article details the unusual vertical direct south sundial in Albert Park, Middlesbrough, a collaborative achievement designed by John Smith and commissioned by H.W.F. Bolckow in 1876. It highlights the dial's numerous literary quotations in four languages, reflecting Victorian spiritual sentiments, and its unique feature of showing time in New York, Melbourne, and Albert Park. The article discusses the dial's dilapidated state, the existence of an almost exact wooden copy (possibly a prototype), and delves into John Smith's eccentric life as a self-taught farmer-astronomer-diallist, tracing his earlier sundial creations and inventions that culminated in this masterpiece.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
October 1994
Page 36
Page 36
This article discusses the historical method of determining longitude at sea using lunar distances, especially before accurate marine chronometers became widely available. It explains the principle of simultaneous observation of lunar positions relative to stars or planets, and the complex calculations required to correct for various astronomical factors. The article traces the development of lunar ephemerides (tables) from early proposals to the precise tables published by Tobias Mayer in the 18th century and their adoption in national nautical almanacs. It also describes the instruments used, like the sextant, and the intricate process sailors followed, noting the eventual decline of the method with the advent of accurate chronometers and radio communication.
Historical Dials
October 1994
Page 40
Page 40
This article describes a personal account of owning and researching a sunrise-sunset watch, a type of astronomical timepiece that became fashionable in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The author, George Foster, details acquiring his watch in 1946 and his subsequent efforts to document it, including comparison with a similar watch owned by Oscar T. Lang. The article provides a detailed description of the watch's dial, which features indications for sunrise, sunset, month, day, hours, and minutes, with a gilt sun on a wheel and blued steel shutters. It also mentions the watch's internal mechanism and the general utility of such watches for travel planning.
Historical Dials
February 1993
Page 2
Page 2
This article discusses the astrological significance of the sun's position in celestial houses as shown on sundials. It details various systems for dividing the celestial sphere into twelve segments, including Regiomontanus. The theory gives additional meaning to planetary positions, mentioning historical texts and further reading on house division.
Dials: Astrolabe, Historical Dials
February 1993
Page 9
Page 9
This article describes the Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial, a unique sundial monument designed by Helm Roberts. It details how the gnomon's shadow marks the names of fallen Kentuckians on their death dates, covering computer calculations and verification processes for this symbolic memorial.
Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
February 1993
Page 18
Page 18
This article describes two meridians in St Sulpice Church, Paris, by Henry Sully (1727) and Charles Le Monnier (1743). It discusses their purpose for time measurement and astronomical observations, detailing the historical context of time standardization and their architectural integration within the church.
Dials: Noon Lines, Equation of Time, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
February 1993
Page 31
Page 31
This addendum provides further details on the Tower of the Winds in Athens, supplementing a previous article. It discusses the condition of its carvings and dials, challenges in conservation, and references for understanding its sundials and their orientation, including allegorical figures of the eight winds.
Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials
June 1993
Page 2
Page 2
This article details the discovery and analysis of the 'Quarantale', a lost gnomonic instrument invented by Geminiano Montanari, found through manuscript inscriptions related to a meridian line in Bologna. It explains how the instrument was designed for stellar observations, covering a 140° meridian arc to cover two apertures, by using a unique optical sight and mathematical calculations based on similar triangles, restoring its historical context.
Dials: Noon Lines, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, Dials: Nocturnals
June 1993
Page 8
Page 8
This article critically examines polyhedral sundials designed by Nicholaus Kratzer, Henry VIII's diallist, comparing his work with that of Oronce Fine (Francis I of France's diallist). It describes surviving and recorded dials, including those in Holbein's paintings, and questions the practical functionality of Kratzer's polyhedral design due to apparent geometric inconsistencies and the use of the Ecliptic's obliquity angle in extraneous constructions.
Dials: Multi Faced, Sundial Design & Layout, Historical Dials
June 1993
Page 11
Page 11
This is the second part of an article describing two meridians in St Sulpice Church, Paris, by Henry Sully and Charles Le Monnier. It details their purpose for time measurement and astronomical observations, discussing restoration efforts, challenges in conservation, and the historical context of time standardization. It also covers Le Monnier's observations and the meridian's condition through the French Revolution and later centuries.
Dials: Noon Lines, Equation of Time, Historical Dials
June 1993
Page 18
Page 18
This article explores Vitruvius's Analemma, a vital geometric construction from Roman architecture used for sundial design. It describes the step-by-step process of constructing the Analemma using only a ruler and compasses, explaining how it projects old Temporal Hours and can be adapted for modern hours. The text provides insights into ancient dialling techniques, their historical continuity, and potential links to medieval astrological traditions and later drawing methods.
Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
June 1993
Page 40
Page 40
This article describes the unusual sundial on the north wall of Merton College Chapel, Oxford, discussing its restoration and historical attribution to Henry Briggs or John Bainbridge. It analyses the confusing sets of lines, including declination and azimuth lines, and explains the dial's limited functionality (5.30 to 10.00 am in summer) due to its orientation and surrounding buildings, suggesting it was an academic exercise rather than a practical time indicator.
Dials: Unusual, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
October 1993
Page 2
Page 2
This article details the restoration of a unique astronomical chronogram sundial in Rouffach, France, dating from the early 17th century. It describes the fresco's depiction of planetary orbits based on Ptolemy and Tycho Brahe, highlighting challenges in deciphering faded inscriptions and the astrological significance of a lunar eclipse on the original dial's date in 1617.
Dials: Unusual, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Restoration projects, Sundial Design & Layout
October 1993
Page 6
Page 6
This article explores how Stonehenge served as an ancient astronomical observatory for predicting eclipses and tracking the Sun and Moon. It explains the monument's design, including 56 Aubrey holes, which allowed tracking of the Sun's annual path, the Moon's 28-day cycle, and the 18.6-year Metonic cycle of the lunar nodes for eclipse prediction.
Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling
October 1993
Page 16
Page 16
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
October 1993
Page 20
Page 20
This article surveys various sundials across Cambridgeshire, including church wall dials, horizontal garden dials, and armillary spheres. It highlights specific examples, discussing their dates, inscriptions, restoration efforts, and the materials used. The text also notes the ongoing loss of old dials due to weathering but also the creation of new commemorative ones.
Dials: Armillary Sphere, Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
October 1993
Page 24
Page 24
This article tells the story of a sundial from the Neptune Shipyard in Walker, Newcastle-on-Tyne, founded by J. Wigham Richardson in 1860. It traces the dial's history, its motto, and its eventual restoration. The article highlights Richardson's skill as a geometrist and the involvement of his partner, Denham Christie, and describes the dial's characteristics and its journey to the Trinity Maritime Centre.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
October 1993
Page 31
Page 31
This article provides ten commandments for buying antique horizontal garden sundials, with points also applicable to other dials. It advises on checking gnomon alignment, hour line spacing, and the correct gnomon angle for latitude. The article also discusses material characteristics, identifying replica dials, and ethical considerations regarding origin, including reference tables for latitude and hour line angles.
Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
October 1993
Page 32
Page 32
This article explores the rapid deterioration of ancient sundials in the British Isles, attributing decay to factors like stone quality and water-induced damage. It discusses examples like the Bewcastle Cross sundial and the importance of protection and restoration. The article highlights the British Sundial Society's aims in cataloguing and preserving historical artefacts to prevent their complete loss.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials, Restoration projects, The BSS and Members
February 1992
Page 24
Page 24
The article clarifies the Biblical account of the "Dial of Ahaz," explaining that the original Hebrew text refers to "steps" and a "staircase" rather than a sundial with "degrees." It discusses how medieval illustrations, like Holbein's, misinterpreted this, depicting a hemicycle-like device. The author also notes an adjustable Jewish hemicycle described in a 1650 translation, which could tell time by both the sun and the moon.
Dials: Hemispherical, Historical Dials
June 1992
Page 2
Page 2
This article outlines the few medieval sundials remaining in Hungary, many destroyed by wars and church rebuilding. It describes early canonical sundials with primitive divisions, including a twelve-division dial at Matraverabely and a Gothic dial at Szentendre. A unique medieval dial not on a church is found in Kaszeg, and St. Nicholas church in Rudabanya has a dial marking prayer times.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials
June 1992
Page 3
Page 3
This lecture explores the practical aspects of 16th and 17th-century navigation, highlighting the crucial role of sundials and similar instruments for determining time at sea. Mariners used celestial observations for latitude, magnetic compasses for direction, and various tools like traverse boards, sand-glasses, nocturnals, astrolabes, and cross-staves for navigation and timekeeping.
Dialling Tools, Dials: Portable, Historical Dials, Dials: Nocturnals
June 1992
Page 9
Page 9
This report details a workshop on scratch dials, discussing their origin, enormous variations across regions, and the importance of recording these endangered historical relics. It highlights the need for a specialised recording form and an overall map of existing and known scratch dials across England and Europe due to accelerated damage from atmospheric pollution and vandalism.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials
June 1992
Page 10
Page 10
This article describes a unique monumental cubical-cylindrical sundial from 1628 in Rome's Quirinale Gardens, 2.70 meters high, constructed of white marble. It features four concave quadrants indicating both civil/astronomical time and 'Italian time,' reflecting different timekeeping systems. The dial also includes zodiacal curves for calendrical indications and intricate Latin inscriptions from its author Theodosius Rubeus and patron Urbano VIII Barberini.
Dials: Cube, Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
June 1992
Page 17
Page 17
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
June 1992
Page 19
Page 19
This article explains how magnetic compass deviation, which varies over time and location, can be used to estimate the date of manufacture for portable sundials incorporating compasses. It discusses historical records of magnetic variation and how these can be compared with the deviation marked on a compass bowl. Local conditions affecting magnetic fields, and the need for accurate observations are noted.
Dials: Portable, Historical Dials
June 1992
Page 30
Page 30
This article details the large cubic sundial erected in Whitehall's Privy Garden in 1622 for King James I, replacing an earlier Caen stone dial. Based on Edmund Gunter's 1624 treatise, it describes the intricate design with multiple dials, including a great horizontal concave. The dial's use led to the discovery of magnetic variation, and its sculptor was Nicholas Stone.
Dials: Cube, Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials
June 1992
Page 41
Page 41
This review evaluates Lawrence N. Price's book on scratch dials in North West Somerset. It criticises the book for adding few new insights to the subject, instead relying on previous works by Horne and Green. The reviewer argues that scratch dials are merely event markers, not precise timekeepers, and stresses the importance of their identification and recording due to modern atmospheric damage.
Book Reviews, Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials
October 1992
Page 2
Page 2
This article describes 18th-century slate sundials at Tawstock and Marwood churches by John Berry, the Tawstock dial being notable for its "domifying circles" or "circles of position". Berry, a local stonemason probably had help from a Cambridge don in laying out these sophisticated dials. These unusual domus lines indicate which astrological (rather than astronomical) zodiacal house the sun is in. The dial also features zodiacal signs, time of noon in various places, azimuth lines, and diurnal arcs for day length.
Dials: Unusual, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
October 1992
Page 5
Page 5
This article proposes that scratch dials, often found on old church walls, are effective "event markers" rather than precise timekeepers. It discusses their radial geometry, common south-facing position, and erosion due to acid rain. The article refutes theories about them being equal-hour sundials with bent gnomons, and explains their connection to seasonal hours and monastic prayer times.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials, How Sundials Work
October 1992
Page 9
Page 9
This lecture describes the octagonal Tower of the Winds in Athens, built around 37 BC by Andronicus Cyrrhestes, housing a water clock and eight planar sundials. The tower features allegorical wind figures and its sundials, though faint, provided seasonal hours. The article highlights the historical neglect of its dials compared to the water clock and the need for restoration.
Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials
October 1992
Page 17
Page 17
This article profiles two Leicestershire sundial makers: William Pearson and Thomas Scott Elgood. Pearson, a rector and astronomer, constructed a precise direct vertical dial in 1834 for his observatory. Elgood, an engineer, crafted a decorative slate dial in 1897 for St. Martin's Church, featuring biblical mottoes and Evangelist symbols, focusing on elegance rather than scientific precision.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Mottoes
October 1992
Page 18
Page 18
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
October 1992
Page 31
Page 31
This article, based on Edmund Gunter's 1624 treatise, continues the original description of the intricate multi-faced cubic sundial in Whitehall Gardens. It details the use of various coloured lines (red, yellow, green, blue) on different dial faces to indicate azimuth, altitude, unequal "planetary" hours, sun's rising/setting times, length of day, and even the age of the moon and high water times. Geographical tables for longitude differences are also included.
Dials: Cube, Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials
February 1991
Page 4
Page 4
Details the various circles and scales on the dial's surface, including those for finding the dates of festivals and saints' days, the day of the week, the age of the moon, and the time of high water at London Bridge. The article also explains how to use the shadow of the stile to determine the hour and minute, sunrise/sunset times, and the sun's place and right ascension.
Historical Dials
February 1991
Page 8
Page 8
The Roman Cylindrical Sundial in the Zemaljski Museum, Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, by Milutin Tadic" discusses a rare cylindrical sundial discovered in Yugoslavia. It highlights the features of ancient sundials, such as being carved in stone and typically concave. The article presents a reconstruction of the Diluntum sundial, explaining its potential mechanism using a horizontal gnomon and projected diurnal arcs to show seasonal hours.
Dials: Hemispherical, Historical Dials
July 1991
Page 3
Page 3
This article, written in 1631, details using John Marr’s Hampton Court Dial. It explains determining celestial metrics like ascensionall difference, azimuth, amplitude, sun's altitude and declination, and Judaical hours. It also covers comparing unequal to equal hours, finding the day of the month, and predicting London Bridge tides via the dial's shadows, showcasing its comprehensive historical applications.
Historical Dials, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
July 1991
Page 15
Page 15
This essay details Egnazio Danti's large astronomical quadrant on Florence’s Santa Maria Novella facade (1572). It describes the instrument's design, inscriptions, and multiple hour systems including Italian, Bohemian, Astronomical, and French hours. It particularly focuses on a unique double tracing for Planetary and Canonical hours, clarifying their historical distinction and practical differences resulting from their construction methods.
Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
July 1991
Page 35
Page 35
This article examines a horizontal sundial described in Manuscript Rivipullensi 225, a 10th-century compilation from Ripoll monastery. The manuscript provides didactic instructions for laying out the dial with concentric circles for months and temporary hour divisions. The author reconstructs two versions, discussing its function, orientation, and unique characteristics, suggesting Latin or Ripollan origins distinct from Arabic sundials of the period.
Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
July 1991
Page 40
Page 40
Charles Aked discusses a John Worgan sundial, a 17th-century London instrument-maker, found in Australia by Mrs. Faye Starkey. The article provides Worgan's biographical details, his instruments, and pamphlets. It describes the specific dial, engraved for London latitude with two noon marks, noting its current damaged state from family use, its historical journey, and its inoperability in the Southern Hemisphere.
Historical Dials
October 1991
Page 2
Page 2
This article discusses William Gilbert of Colchester, Queen Elizabeth I's physician, and his monumental work "De Magnete" published in 1600. It highlights his contributions to the understanding of electricity and magnetism, including his commitment to the Earth rotating around the Sun. The article also touches upon the historical lack of quick dial orientation before the magnetic compass and Gilbert's fleeting reference to sundials in his work.
Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling
October 1991
Page 3
Page 3
This text reproduced from 1631 continues John Marr's description of the Hampton Court sundial. It details how to determine various astronomical propositions, such as sunrise, sunset, day/night length, and the Sun's position, using the dial's concave surface and its markings. It also explains how to find the hour of the night by observing stars on the meridian.
Historical Dials, How Sundials Work
October 1991
Page 5
Page 5
This article, originally by Reverend T.W. Cole, discusses 'incised sundials' (scratch or mass dials) found on church stonework in England from Saxon times to the 18th century. It traces their evolution from small, simple markings to larger, more prominent and scientifically designed dials, and highlights early attempts at accuracy, different time systems, and the preservation efforts for these historical artifacts. It also mentions key figures like Dom Ethelbert Horne and A.R. Green.
Restoration projects, Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials
October 1991
Page 13
Page 13
This article, a summary of a lecture by Mr. Taylor, examines four equatorial sundials made by John Bonar between 1623 and 1634. These dials feature poetry, zodiac signs, moon age, and compass points with port names, indicating their use for tidal calculations rather than just timekeeping. The article notes Bonar's errors in gnomonics despite his poetic skill and details the current locations of the surviving dials.
Dials: Equatorial, Historical Dials
October 1991
Page 16
Page 16
Rene R.-J. Rohr introduces the 18th-century Islamic instrument known as the "da'ire-yi mu'addil" (equatorial circle), used for determining daily and nightly prayer times. Driven by religious prescriptions, Islamic scientists developed sophisticated astronomical and mathematical methods. This instrument, although not mathematically precise, allows for the determination of prayer times, especially night prayers like isha and subh, through observation of the sun and moon's positions.
Dials: Equatorial, Historical Dials, Dials: Nocturnals
October 1991
Page 22
Page 22
This article describes the Salisbury Cathedral spire as a unique sundial, where its midday shadow crosses an engraved line marked "Meridies" on a low north wall. It notes the popularity of elaborate Scottish multangular dials in the 17th century and details a rare Ivychurch dial in the Salisbury Museum, a local stone multi-faced piece that indicates both time and seasons.
Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Noon Lines, Historical Dials
October 1991
Page 31
Page 31
Peter Drinkwater explores historical methods of time determination, focusing on the "Shadow Square" and "Instrumentum Horarum" found on astrolabes and quadrants. He discusses ancient shadow scales, like those from Palladius, and how they were used to estimate time by shadow length, noting the practical, though often imprecise, methods employed by medieval laborers and pilgrims without modern instruments.
How Sundials Work, Historical Dials
February 1990
Page 3
Page 3
This article details a medieval scratch dial found on the Gothic church in Rudabanya, Hungary, which was uncovered during renovations in 1927 and extensively studied during systematic restoration in the 1970s. The dial, approximately 24cm in diameter with 13 engraved lines, is believed to date from the early 15th century, contemporary with the half-pillar it is on. It is considered one of the last "old-style" ecclesiastical dials on the Continent, preserved by centuries of plaster work
Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials
February 1990
Page 12
Page 12
This article focuses on the multi-faceted sandstone sundial dating from 1813 at Walton Hall, the home of Sir Charles Waterton. The sundial was crafted by the self-taught stonemason George Boulby and features a polar axis serving as gnomons, with approximately sixteen dial faces still visible. Each face is designed for a specific part of the world and includes curves indicating zodiacal constellations. The article also speculates on Waterton's potential early interest in sundials, possibly stemming from his time at Stonyhurst College, known for its solar studies
Historical Dials
June 1990
Page 8
Page 8
This article explores historical sundial references within English Royal Gardens from the 16th to 18th centuries, drawing from detailed archives. It documents various sundials at Whitehall, Hampton Court, Nonsuch, St. James's, Richmond, and Oatlands, highlighting their construction, decoration, and key designers like John Marr.
Historical Dials
June 1990
Page 12
Page 12
This preliminary report details the discovery of small bone/ivory pocket sundials during archaeological excavations in Hungarian fortresses, castles, and cloisters. It describes specific finds from Buda, Diosgyor, Poganyszentpeter, and Tata, discussing their Nuremburg origins and magnetic variation markings.
Dials: Portable, Historical Dials
June 1990
Page 14
Page 14
This article describes the 1975 discovery of a unique Greek sundial slab at Ai Khanoum, Afghanistan. Dating between 325 and 145 B.C., this polar dial, designed to indicate temporary hours, represents an evolutionary advancement in ancient gnomonics, despite a discrepancy between its marked latitude and discovery site.
Dials: Polar, Historical Dials, Dials: Scaphe
June 1990
Page 19
Page 19
This detailed explication describes the elaborate pyramidical sundial, designed by Francis Hall and erected in Whitehall's Privy Garden in 1669. It outlines the dial's numerous components, including various dials, globes, and glass bowls, highlighting its complex and ultimately impractical design in the English climate.
Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials
October 1990
Page 3
Page 3
This is the first instalment reproducing John Marr's 1631 description (held in the British Library) of his elaborate dial at Hampton Court, considered one of the most intricate ever made. It details the dial's physical form, its various lines and circles including tropics, equinoctial, parallels, altitude circles, azimuths, and seasonal (Judaicall) and hour lines, and the ecliptic with Zodiac signs.
Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
October 1990
Page 4
Page 4
This is a notice for a meeting on 10th November 1990 in Crowthorne, Berkshire. Doug Bateman will speak on the restoration of a vertical declining dial with an analemma at Dial House, and Christopher St. J. Daniel will discuss its original maker, Joseph Alfred Hardcastle.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
October 1990
Page 5
Page 5
This article explores the history and theory of reflected ceiling sundials, referencing figures like Isaac Newton and Christopher Wren. It discusses examples such as the Palazzo Spada in Rome, the Lycee Stendhal in Grenoble, and a unique staircase dial in Saint-Antoine-en-Vienne, along with their design principles and historical context.
Dials: Reflected, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
October 1990
Page 12
Page 12
This article discusses various forms of spherical sundials, from simple painted stone spheres to the ancient concave hemisphere (Scaphe or Hemicycle) and the later, less effective, convex hemisphere. It also explores the projection of spherical coordinates onto a plane, linking them to the discovery of the analemmatic dial.
Dials: Hemispherical, Historical Dials, Dials: Scaphe, Dials: Armillary Sphere
October 1990
Page 24
Page 24
This article recounts G.R. Higgs' sundial exploration trips with Andrew Somerville across Scotland, focusing on discovering and restoring historical dials. Notable examples include a 57-face lectern dial at Hensol House, finding a cube dial in a rockery, and working on the Glamis Castle dial, including one designed by Andrew himself.
Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
October 1990
Page 30
Page 30
This entry presents excerpts from a Francis Barker & Son Ltd. sundial catalogue, showcasing various dial types, prices, and services. It includes illustrations of horizontal dials, advice on placement, suitable mottoes, and other meteorological instruments, reflecting historical sundial offerings and sentiments.
Historical Dials, Mottoes
October 1990
Page 31
Page 31
This article humorously discusses a correspondence in The Times concerning an April Fool proposal to turn Nelson's Column and Trafalgar Square into a giant sundial commemorating the Battle of Trafalgar. The correspondence critiques the impracticality of such a design based on gnomonic principles, while also providing historical details on timekeeping during the battle.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, How Sundials Work
July 1989
Page 9
Page 9
An article by Andrew R. Somerville details a unique 16th-century stone cube sundial with multiple hollows for different gnomons, along with its possible uses and historical context. The dial may be associated with the work of Nicolaus Kratzer, who introduced multiple sundials to England in the 16th century. It may also be connected to the Jacobean garden at Madeley Court, and its geometric and symbolic elements.
Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials
November 1989
Page 12
Page 12
Describes a large public sundial installation in Madrid, located at the Puerta de Toledo within the old Fish Market. This series of substantial dials, calculated by Juan Jose Caurcel and drawn by Alberto Corazon, includes a vertical dial with Zodiac signs, a horizontal dial, an equatorial-armillary dial, four polar dials with the Equation of Time, and two lunar dials for night hours.
Historical Dials