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Five random articles from the archive
March 2023
Page 1
Page 1
Discusses the content of the current issue, highlighting contributions such as the obituary for founder-member Mike Cowham, articles on newly reported dials, portable dials, and a memorial sundial. It also notes that the official Trustees' Report and Accounts were not ready at the time of publication.
The BSS and Members
March 2023
Page 2
Page 2
Describes the process of designing and constructing a large 90 cm square vertical declining dial for a house conservatory in Somerset. The project involved measuring the wall's 74.3° westerly declination, incorporating an Equation of Time plaque, and designing a unique lateral sliding system to avoid shadows cast by the glass roof rafters.
Construction Projects, Dials: Vertical, Equation of Time, Sundial Design & Layout
March 2023
Page 6
Page 6
Details how to construct two accessible types of small, portable sundials. The first is an armillary equatorial dial made from embroidery hoops. The second is an altitude card dial, also known as a Capuchin dial, which uses a thread and bead mechanism. Both projects demonstrate less traditional dial types requiring minimal skill.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Armillary Sphere, Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Portable
March 2023
Page 8
Page 8
An obituary for Mike Cowham (membership number 26), a BSS founder-member known for his extensive contributions, including 103 articles for the Bulletin and his regular 'Dial Dealings' reports until 2020. He was the coordinating editor for Sundials of the British Isles and authored the monograph Altitude Dials.
The BSS and Members
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 20
Page 20
Describes the stainless-steel memorial sundial (SRN 8340) commissioned to honour miners who died at Bettisfield Colliery. The BSS Help & Advice Service assisted the artist with design and calculations. The dial features a miner’s pick gnomon mounted on a salvaged industrial gear wheel.
Construction Projects, Sundial Design & Layout, The BSS and Members
March 2023
Page 22
Page 22
Details the construction of the large 30-foot diameter horizontal dial with a 20-foot stainless-steel gnomon, created for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. To ensure public utility, the hour lines were designed to allow for longitude, making the dial read close to clock time, despite the resulting asymmetry.
Construction Projects, Dials: Horizontal, Equation of Time, Sundial Design & Layout
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
March 2023
Page 25
Page 25
Compares two armillary dials seen during a NASS conference tour. The first, at the Governor’s Residence, is exquisite and highly symbolic. The second, at Vanderbilt University, uses a unique method where a spot of light shines through the equatorial ring onto an analemma plate to indicate the time.
Dials: Armillary Sphere, Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Unusual, Equation of Time
March 2023
Page 26
Page 26
Summary of the Society's 2022 activities, including holding the York conference and Newbury meeting, maintaining strong finances, and detailing public benefit submissions to the Charity Commissioners. Projects included restoration advice, pro bono design work, and the continued growth of the Fixed-Dial Register.
Construction Projects, Restoration projects, The BSS and Members
June 2023
Page 1
Page 1
Discusses the successful April 2023 BSS Conference in Exeter, highlighting the splendid hosting and high standard of talks, including the Somerville lecture by Stephen Johnston. It introduces the issue's lead article on Oronce Fine’s horary quadrant, followed by articles on the Belgian altitude dial, Norwegian dials, and North Wales dials, and concludes with mention of the 2022 BSS accounts.
The BSS and Members
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 7
Page 7
Presents photographs of 'The Light of Enlightenment' statue and fountain located in the Tang dynasty-style Nan Lian Garden in Kowloon, Hong Kong. This sculpture, designed by Simone Bartolini in 2006, is built on an octagonal base, one panel of which depicts a map of China.
Dials: Unusual, The BSS and Members
June 2023
Page 8
Page 8
Reviews two methods suggested by Sue Manston for operating a portable altitude dial (a Hevelius dial). Geometric analysis confirms the two methods are equivalent, but practical tests suggest Method 1, using the shadow of a gnomon parallel to the short edge, is feasible for determining the time with 10–15 minutes accuracy.
Dials: Portable, How Sundials Work
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 14
Page 14
Features a drawing by Dorothy Hartley from "Ye Sundial Booke" showing the Battle Abbey Sundial, supplementing the Postcard Potpourri entry on page 9.
Dials: Horizontal
June 2023
Page 15
Page 15
Provides detailed instructions and drawings for constructing an educational wooden sundial puzzle, measuring 125 × 125 mm. The project utilizes plywood and a satay stick as a polar gnomon, designed to be easy to assemble and explain the concept of solar time.
Construction Projects, DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Polar
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
June 2023
Page 33
Page 33
Presents the formal Report of the Trustees and the unaudited Financial Statements of the British Sundial Society for the calendar year ending 31 December 2022, scheduled to be noted at the Newbury Meeting for the AGM agenda.
The BSS and Members
September 2023
Page 1
Page 1
Discusses the reproduction of the BSS Conference sundial “examination” questions and answers in this issue, noting that no one achieved more than half marks at the Conference. It also mentions the lead article on the Medieval Rule of Erfurt, two articles on magnetic compasses, two articles on horizontal sundials with multiple gnomons, the 2023 Photographic Competition winners, and details about a Zoom event.
The BSS and Members
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
A brief note highlighting an entry in the 2023 Photographic Competition titled “Garden Gate,” which featured a 1790 sundial by Dudley Adams (SRN 3301) at Scotney Castle (NT) in Kent. The variety of vegetation in the image was noted as particularly appealing.
The BSS and Members
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 12
Page 12
Reports on Lida Lopes Cardozo Kindersley, a renowned letterer and sundial maker, being awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters degree (Litt.D.) by the University of Cambridge on the summer solstice, 21 June 2023. The article notes her work on sundials, including those at Selwyn and Pembroke Colleges, and the inscription on the Corpus Clock.
Sundial Design & Layout, The BSS and Members
September 2023
Page 14
Page 14
Reports the results of the 2023 BSS Photographic Competition, which attracted twelve entries and was voted on by delegates at the Exeter Conference. Winners included Mike Shaw (First Place, heliochronometer), John Allen (Second Place, Basilica of San Petronio), and Jackie Jones (Third Place, Polesden Lacey).
Dials: Heliochronometer, Dials: Noon Lines, The BSS and Members
September 2023
Page 15
Page 15
Describes the restoration of a square horizontal slate sundial made by Richard Melvin in 1856 (For Latitude 52° 42ʹ North). The work involved correcting the geometry and seating of the five gnomons, re-incising the details, and finishing the surface by painting the incisions light matt grey enamel and sealing the slate with oil.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Multi Faced, Restoration projects
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 25
Page 25
Reports on the North American Sundial Society’s (NASS) 30th Anniversary Conference held in Ann Arbor, Michigan, featuring a commemorative cake and a bus tour. The author notes a sundial in the University of Michigan Music School garden with a gnomon shaped as a treble clef, and mentions a music-themed bass clef dial by David Brown.
The BSS and Members
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 28
Page 28
Reproduction of the sundial knowledge “examination” paper compiled by Martin Jenkins and distributed during the BSS 2023 Exeter Conference outing. The answers to this examination are provided later in the Bulletin on page 36.
The BSS and Members
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
September 2023
Page 34
Page 34
Reports on the inaugural quarterly BSS Sundial Zoom Event, inspired by Martins Gills and intended to review articles in the latest Bulletin. The event featured introductory comments by authors David Coffeen, Geoff Thurston, and Graham Stapleton, and proved successful despite initial timing uncertainties.
The BSS and Members
September 2023
Page 35
Page 35
Describes a cylindrical sundial (Dial 1085 in the NASS Registry) located in a stairwell of the University of Michigan Energy Institute, seen during the NASS Conference bus tour. The nodus is formed by the centre of the eight radial arms supporting the skylight, and the markings include a toposcope.
Dials: Cylindrical, Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout
September 2023
Page 36
Page 36
Provides the answers to the sundial knowledge “examination” questions that were compiled by Martin Jenkins for the BSS 2023 Exeter Conference. The full set of questions was reproduced on pages 29-32 of this Bulletin.
The BSS and Members
December 2023
Page 1
Page 1
The editorial introduces the lead articles of the issue, including an important double horizontal sundial by Elias Allen's apprentice George Cooke, an intriguing equatorial dial, a 19th-century provincial dial, and pieces on ancient time reckoning and scratchings on church walls. It also wishes readers a Happy Christmas.
The BSS and Members
December 2023
Page 1
Page 1
This note corrects typographical errors in the previous issue's article ‘The L’Abée-Lund Sundial Compass’ by Roar Hagen-Diez, specifically rectifying a sentence and numerical entries in Table 4 for July, August, and December.
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 9
Page 9
An obituary for John Lester (1926–2023), who was a dedicated sundial and mass dial enthusiast, GP, and instrument maker. He was a prolific recorder for the Fixed Dial Register and contributed frequently to the Bulletin, notably on Mass Dials and the work of Jeanie Crowley.
The BSS and Members
December 2023
Page 10
Page 10
A report on a 6.3-metre diameter horizontal sundial/art installation at RSPB Loch Lomond, designed by Hannah Imlach, which marks the migration windows of Greenland White-fronted geese. The gnomon is formed by the slit between two sheets of Corten steel with piercings that give the impression of migrating geese in flight, and coloured bands mark the Autumn and Spring arrival/departure periods.
Construction Projects, Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout
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 27
Page 27
A couple of photos from the BSS Newbury One-Day Meeting held on 23 September 2023
The BSS and Members
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 30
Page 30
A report on the second BSS Zoom event (renamed 'BSS Bulletin Follow-up'). The event included discussions on the Erfurt Rule and a demonstration of chiselling during the restoration of a Melvin sundial, alongside a theoretical look at converting solar azimuth to solar hour angle for different latitudes.
Dialling Tools, How Sundials Work, Restoration projects, The BSS and Members
December 2023
Page 32
Page 32
Examines scratch dials in the context of general historic graffiti found on church walls. The article discusses how displaced dials can offer dating evidence and explores unusual dial-like markings (like hexafoils and asterisk symbols) that may or may not be scratch dials, encouraging members to report finds.
Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Unusual
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
Formal minutes of the BSS Annual General Meeting proceedings. Key items included receiving the 2022 accounts, the re-election of Frank King as charity trustee, the re-appointment of Counterculture LLP as examiner, and noting the retirement of Bill Visick.
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 1
Page 1
This section highlights articles in the issue, including a portable sundial from the Lviv Historical Museum, West Coast obelisks, a vanished sundial in Great Yarmouth, a Welsh slate dial investigation, a new dial at Peterhof, and the Westminster School sundial. It also informs readers that the Annual Report and Accounts will be published in the June issue.
The BSS and Members
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 10
Page 10
A report on the unveiling ceremony for the Bedlington sundial, made by Tony Moss, in December 2021. The large dial, located in the Market Square, commemorates the town's coal mining heritage and incorporates a Bedlington terrier motif in its undershot gnomon.
Construction Projects, Sundial Design & Layout
March 2022
Page 11
Page 11
Details the design and construction of a war memorial sun mark installed in Bolam Parish churchyard. The memorial, created using rusty iron shepherd's hut wheels, is designed to precisely mark 11 am on 11 November by focusing a spot of light through an aperture onto a poppy medallion.
Construction Projects, Dials: Unusual, 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 24
Page 24
An examination of an old horizontal sundial (c. late 17th/early 18th century) highlighting mistakes made during a poor gnomon replacement. Errors included cutting the angle incorrectly (40.0° instead of the design latitude 52.5° marked on the back), using mild steel that rusted, and using modern Pozidriv screws for attachment.
Dials: Horizontal, Mathematics of Dialling, Restoration projects, 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 30
Page 30
An article commemorating the creation and unveiling (2007) of the sundial at Westminster School, dedicated to former teacher Adolf Prag and his wife. Designed by Harriet James, the dial is based on Newton's ellipse, includes an Equation of Time graph, and features golden hemispherical hollows referencing scaphe dials.
Dials: Vertical, Sundial Design & Layout, Construction Projects, Equation of Time
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 1
Page 1
This section covers the recent BSS Conference in York, highlighting talks on mechanical EoT arrangements and sundial makers. It also announces the sad death of Tony Wood, who led the Mass Dial Group for many years, and introduces the main articles in the issue.
The BSS and Members
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 16
Page 16
This describes a DIY horizontal mosaic sundial constructed on a paving slab using found materials, specifically slate for the surface and pieces of clay tobacco pipe stems for the hour lines. The piece features a copper gnomon with decorative cut-outs and was successfully tested as a moon dial in the garden.
Construction Projects, DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual
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
June 2022
Page 40
Page 40
The formal annual report compiled by the Trustees covering the activities and status of the British Sundial Society for the calendar year 2021. This document is typically reviewed and formally acknowledged at the subsequent Annual General Meeting.
The BSS and Members
June 2022
Page 47
Page 47
The official financial statements and accompanying reports for the British Sundial Society covering the period ending 31 December 2021, published for review by members and notification at the Annual General Meeting.
The BSS and Members
September 2022
Page 1
Page 1
Discusses the deaths of Chris Daniel and Tony Wood, noted BSS members. Provides updates on Society changes, including Fred Sawyer becoming a second Patron and Ben Jones taking on the role of Nominated Trustee. Also notes the final instalment of Dennis Cowan's series on Thomas Ross.
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 11
Page 11
A tribute to Chris Daniel, a founder member, long-term BSS Chairman, and noted diallist. Covers his careers as a Master Mariner and at the National Maritime Museum, where he focused on sundials. Notes his contributions as a designer, author (e.g., Shire album Sundials), and his MBE award.
Sundial Design & Layout, The BSS and Members
September 2022
Page 13
Page 13
Presents a colourful photograph of the Fleet Street sundial, captured by Piers Nicholson, showing the dial in full sun on the day of the summer solstice in 2022.
Dials: Vertical
September 2022
Page 14
Page 14
A tribute to Tony Wood, an early member remembered for reviving the Mass Dial Group. Highlights his dedication to recording dials, submitting 1,609 reports, and arranging for mass dial records to be stored at the York Centre for Medieval Studies archive.
Dials: Mass Dials, The BSS and Members
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 20
Page 20
Describes a modern, high-quality polar sundial located beside the beach in Haifa, Israel. The dial is made of polished basalt and carries time information for various global locations, including Portsmouth and Newcastle.
Dials: Polar, Dials: Unusual
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 29
Page 29
Examines a small, mass-produced equatorial desktop sundial made of brass and onyx alabaster, inscribed with a Danish motto. Concludes the dial was likely a commercial giftware product from the 1950s to 1970s, possibly manufactured in India.
Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Portable, Mottoes
September 2022
Page 32
Page 32
Examines a challenging 18th-century portable altitude dial from Belgium, made of painted wood. The article discusses the function of its sunrise and hour scales and proposes possible, albeit fiddly, methods of operation using a cord and bead, given the likely absence of a gnomon or alidade.
Dials: Portable, How Sundials Work
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 1
Page 1
Discussion of the death of HM the Queen, the Newbury Meeting talks, commemorative sundials, and introduces Werner Riegler's lead article on adapting tide prediction machines to calculate the Equation of Time.
Equation of Time, The BSS and Members
December 2022
Page 2
Page 2
Discusses how mechanical tide prediction machines, used from the 1870s to the 1960s, can be adapted to mechanically generate the Equation of Time. This programmable mechanism can be applied to heliochronometers or mechanical clocks, allowing for adjustment based on slow changes in the EoT.
Mathematics of Dialling, Equation of Time, Dials: Heliochronometer
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 13
Page 13
Minutes covering the reception of 2021 accounts, the re-election of Bill Visick and election of Ben Jones as charity trustees, and the reappointment of Counterculture LLP as examiners. Also noted discussion on declining membership and conference formats.
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 28
Page 28
Describes a Python program used to calculate weekly or daily Equation of Time values and insert them into a digital calendar. This provides an accessible reference for checking sundial accuracy and noting when the EoT is zero.
DIY Sundial Projects, Equation of Time
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 39
Page 39
Review of Maciej Lose's free eBook, "Vertical Stereographic Sundial," which extends the concept of the double horizontal dial to various vertical and declining dials using geometric construction rather than algebraic methods.
Book Reviews, Dials: Vertical, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2022
Page 40
Page 40
Commentary on the Belgian Portable Altitude Dial, suggesting that using the time of sunrise as a proxy for declination is an interesting, layperson-friendly feature.
Dials: Vertical, Dials: Portable, Dials: Unusual
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 1
Page 1
Customarily, this first issue incorporates the Trustees' Annual Report and Accounts. There are several articles, including David Brown's restoration report on a large polyhedral sundial and notes on the late Jill Wilson's work concerning Masonic symbols.
The BSS and Members
March 2021
Page 2
Page 2
A detailed report on the restoration of a large polyhedral sundial (a rhombicuboctahedron) with 25 faces. The work involved cleaning soft sandstone, making 25 new gnomons, grafting new stone onto the damaged horizontal face, and installing the structure on a new plinth.
Construction Projects, Dials: Multi Faced, Restoration projects
March 2021
Page 7
Page 7
Obituary for Mike Isaacs (membership number 126), a Chartered Chemist and founder member of the Oxford Branch of the British Horological Institute. He had interests in electrical clocks and sundials, and his son David, a photographer, captured many sundial images used by the Society.
The BSS and Members
March 2021
Page 8
Page 8
Description of a model sundial inspired by the Meridiana Tetracycla in Rome. It features four niches with analemmas, designed to read GMT throughout the year using corrections for the Equation of Time and longitudinal displacement. The model stands 62 cm high and is made of maple, birch veneer, and bronze.
Construction Projects, Dials: Unusual, Equation of Time, Sundial Design & Layout
March 2021
Page 10
Page 10
A selection of sundials reported in 2020 and entered into the Fixed Dial Register. The list includes armillary spheres, equatorial dials, various vertical dials (like the one at Staple Inn), several horizontal dials (such as the large Solum dial), and multiple or special dials.
Dials: Armillary Sphere, Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Vertical
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
March 2021
Page 42
Page 42
A query to members seeking help identifying the location of old family photographs. The location is a park or public garden, possibly in south-east London, featuring an armillary sphere sundial on a pedestal, which is currently unlisted in the Fixed Dial Register.
Dials: Armillary Sphere, The BSS and Members
March 2021
Page 43
Page 43
This is the formal Annual Report presented by the Trustees of the British Sundial Society detailing the activities and governance of the organisation for the year 2020.
The BSS and Members
March 2021
Page 48
Page 48
This section contains the formal financial accounts for the British Sundial Society for the year concluding on 31 December 2020, along with supporting documentation and reports.
The BSS and Members
June 2021
Page 1
Page 1
Discusses the cancellation of conferences due to lockdown and the subsequent Zoom event. Previews major articles in the issue, including the Palimpsest Horizontal Dial, the Liffey Sundial, modern dials, and the Drummond Castle Obelisk restoration. Mentions the latest BSS Sundial Awards and the passing of Mario Catamo.
The BSS and Members
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 19
Page 19
Describes a quadrant made by Iona Isaac as a lockdown project. It is an equal-hour quadrant, embroidered and delineated for Cambridge, based on historical instruments associated with Richard II in the British Museum.
Dials: Portable, DIY Sundial Projects
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 24
Page 24
Summary of the British Sundial Society's sixth award scheme entries for 2016–2020, covering 19 submissions focused on accurate design, elegant execution, and restoration. Descriptions of notable projects include David Brown’s polyhedral sundial restoration, Tim Chalk’s sculptural dials, a stained glass replacement, and the highly complex Ta Ha Sundial from Malaysia.
Dials: Multi Faced, Construction Projects, Restoration projects
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 37
Page 37
Report on the British Sundial Society's successful virtual conference held via Zoom in April 2021, featuring three noted North American speakers. Talks covered Zarbula and Potey dials in the French Alps, a highly customized ceiling reflection sundial by Woody Sullivan, and Fred Sawyer's theoretical work on Hybrid Peaucellier azimuthal dials designed to eliminate the noon gap.
Dials: Reflected, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout, The BSS and Members
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
June 2021
Page 44
Page 44
A reader discusses an unusual sundial near the Imperial War Museum, featuring hour lines on the ground that continue vertically up a wall. The author models the dial, hypothesizing that it functions like a giant diptych pocket dial or that the vertical markings are merely endpoints for the hour lines, noting its history in the Fixed Dial Register.
Dials: Portable, Dials: Unusual, How Sundials Work, Sundial Design & Layout
September 2021
Page 1
Page 1
Discusses the value of knowing languages like Latin, Greek, Arabic, and Old Norse for sundial enthusiasts. Highlights various articles in the issue, including those covering Islamic sundials, Welsh inscriptions, Thomas Ross's series, the Winwick Hall project, a film-spotted dial, and an equatorial light spot sundial.
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 9
Page 9
Reviews two sundial inventory books by Dan-George Uza. The books cover sundials in North West Romania and Cluj County, respectively. The reviews note that the books provide colour pictures, descriptions, and geographical coordinates, serving as useful companions for dial hunting.
Book Reviews
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 17
Page 17
Details the project to convert a 30-foot telegraph pole at Winwick Hall into a large, highly visible outdoor sundial. The final design employs the vertical pole's shadow to cast time on 18-metre radius winter and summer arcs, prioritising fun and visibility over high accuracy for walkers.
Construction Projects, Dials: Unusual, Dials: Vertical
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 26
Page 26
Introduces a novel equatorial sundial design that uses a moving light spot, rather than a shadow, to indicate time. The spot is projected onto a central cylinder via concentric rings with slits and holes. The design requires complex mathematical calculations for accurate sizing and component placement, ideal for large installations.
Dials: Equatorial, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
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
September 2021
Page 44
Page 44
Reviews "Le Gnomon du Méridien Cassini", a book detailing the history, theory, calculation, and construction of a meridian line in Perinaldo, Italy. The line, built as a gigantic camera obscura in the birthplace of G.D. Cassini, was completed in 2007.
Book Reviews, Dials: Noon Lines
December 2021
Page 1
Page 1
Describes reduced Covid restrictions allowing the Newbury meeting and AGM. Introduces major articles: John Sill’s unrecorded dialmaker analysis, Fachkreis Sonnenuhren anniversary, Fleet Street dial updates, gnomon solution, French Calendar proposal, book review, Thomas Ross puzzle, and Fiona Vincent's obituary.
The BSS and Members
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 7
Page 7
Chronicles the creation of the large Fleet Street vertical declining sundial, culminating in its 2021 opening. Key issues included City of London planning rules (e.g., banning current newspaper mastheads), securing funding during the pandemic, overcoming surveying difficulties using point cloud technology, and the logistical challenges of gnomon fabrication and installation.
Construction Projects, Dials: Vertical, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2021
Page 10
Page 10
Details the gnomonic design of the large vertical declining Fleet Street dial using Python-based graphics and established trigonometric routines. The model enabled flexible design adjustments, accounting for physical realities like the wall's step and the final highly accurate laser survey data, ultimately producing the precise instruction graphics for the painter.
Construction Projects, Dials: Vertical, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
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 13
Page 13
Explores the use of laser scanners and point clouds as a revolutionary method for surveying and designing sundials, accurate to a few millimetres. The technique was used on the Fleet Street dial to determine precise coordinates, declination, and inclination, allowing designers to calculate hour lines and model shadows regardless of surface irregularities.
Construction Projects, Dialling Tools, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2021
Page 16
Page 16
Official record of the British Sundial Society Annual General Meeting held in Newbury on 25 September 2021. Details include the acceptance of 2020 accounts, the re-election of Graham Stapleton, and the election of Jackie Jones and Frank King as trustees, along with the reappointment of the 2021 accounts examiner.
The BSS and Members
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 18
Page 18
Describes the carving of a south-facing sundial at Princethorpe College, Rugby. The central design constraint was placing a decorative sun disk where the gnomon point usually rests. This was cleverly overcome by using a gnomon featuring a detachable point which was removed after securing the main gnomon.
Dials: Vertical, Sundial Design & Layout, Construction Projects
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 30
Page 30
Details the design and CAD-CAM manufacture of a complex hendecagonal hectemoros horizontal sundial for a Golden Wedding anniversary gift. The process used Python graphics (Nodebox) and water-jet cutting to create a bronze plate indicating GMT, sunrise, and sunset, featuring custom algorithms for precise font skewing.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Horizontal, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
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 1
Page 1
Discussion of the March Bulletin content, noting that it contains formal material required for the AGM, including the Trustees’ Annual Report and Annual Accounts. It mentions articles focusing on Scottish sundials (Drummond Castle, Glamis Castle, Neidpath Castle) and Mike Cowham's Dial Dealings. It also reports the death of Karl Schwarzinger, founder of the Austrian Sundial Society.
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 11
Page 11
A congratulatory note reporting that long-time BSS member Peter Ransom was presented with an MBE by Prince William in November 2019 for voluntary service to mathematics education. He is noted for contributing to using gnomonics in teaching mathematics and currently serves as the Society’s Education specialist.
The BSS and Members
March 2020
Page 12
Page 12
Describes the process of commissioning and constructing a diamond-shaped vertical dial on the Old School House at Durgan, Cornwall. The wall declination was measured at 17½ degrees east of south. The slate dial is adjusted for longitude to show 'Greenwich Apparent Time' and includes a small notch for local noon. It was a collaborative effort involving the National Trust and letter carver Ben Jones.
Construction Projects, Dials: Vertical, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
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 23
Page 23
Describes the planning and design of the Fleet Street Heritage Sundial, a vertical dial facing a few degrees north of east, approved after 12 years. Located on the site of Richard Carlile's former publishing house (The Republican), the project commemorates Carlile and others who fought for the freedom of the press. The design incorporates hour lines (6 to 10 am) and newspaper mastheads, aiming to serve as a permanent heritage memorial.
Dials: Vertical, Sundial Design & Layout, Construction Projects
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 29
Page 29
A biography of Gerald Raymond Dunn (1917–2002), detailing his military career, farming attempts, and later ventures, including tracing unclaimed estates and inventing the Cruiserfix solar navigator. He undertook metalwork training and became a sundial maker, specializing in equinoctial ring dials. He also supplied a simple solar compass for a Sahara expedition.
Construction Projects, Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Portable, The BSS and Members
March 2020
Page 33
Page 33
Describes an unusual agricultural-themed sundial designed and built by Anthony Sprent in 2004 to commemorate Campbell Town's role in observing the 1874 transit of Venus. The device, made mostly from old farm machinery parts, is a heliochronometer that uses a nodus (aperture) to project light onto an engraved analemma on a bronze plough disc.
Construction Projects, Dials: Heliochronometer, Dials: Unusual, Equation of Time
March 2020
Page 36
Page 36
Details the construction of a large 3-metre diameter armillary dial made from surplus mild steel H-beam and stainless steel components. Constructed by TAM Engineering Services Ltd, the dial includes a central aluminum globe nodus and a stainless steel equatorial ring with laser-cut Roman numerals. It was built for the old school in Wiggenhall St Mary Magdalen.
Construction Projects, Dials: Armillary Sphere, Sundial Design & Layout
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
March 2020
Page 40
Page 40
Reports that noted BSS member Joanna Migdal was installed as the 2020 Master of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers on 28 January. In her speech, she referred to famous sundial makers and former Masters, Elias Allen and Henry Wynne. Two other BSS members attended the Installation Dinner.
The BSS and Members
March 2020
Page 41
Page 41
Formal material included in the March Bulletin as required by the BSS Constitution, presenting the Annual Report prepared by the Trustees.
The BSS and Members
March 2020
Page 47
Page 47
Formal financial material required by the BSS Constitution, providing the Annual Accounts for the year ending 31 December 2019, along with associated reports.
The BSS and Members
June 2020
Page 1
Page 1
This piece discusses the disruptive consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the cancellation of the BSS Conference in York and operational difficulties faced due to the closure of the University of Cambridge. It acknowledges John Davis for stepping in to handle the publication of the June Bulletin.
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 7
Page 7
This short article presents a picture of a west-facing sundial on a church in Ragusa, Sicily. The dial is painted in normal Mediterranean style, shows Italian hours, and is notable for its gnomon which acts as a horizontal support for the nodus.
Dials: Vertical, Dials: Unusual, How Sundials Work
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 24
Page 24
This short piece highlights a unique modification made to a vintage Bentley: a custom-made central stay for a secondary windshield, designed to function visually like a gnomon for a horizontal dial.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout
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
The author recounts an instance at Pitmedden Castle in 2006 where, using his status as a BSS member, he quickly corrected the orientation of a horizontal sundial that was misaligned by 180 degrees.
Dials: Horizontal, How Sundials Work, The BSS and Members
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 43
Page 43
Reviews two books: "Time of Our Lives: Sundials of the Adler Planetarium" by Sara J. Schechner, cataloguing nearly 500 dials; and "Mathematical Instruments in the Collections of the Bibliothèque Nationale de France" by Anthony Turner et al., featuring 138 instruments including five sundials and nocturnals.
Dials: Portable, Book Reviews, Dials: Nocturnals
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 1
Page 1
Discusses the assistance provided by John Davis for desktop publishing following the University of Cambridge closure. Notes the easing of Covid-19 restrictions and the completion of a new computer room for Christine Northeast. Commends Tony Moss's article and sadly announces the obituaries for David Young, Gordon Taylor, and Alan Smith.
The BSS and Members
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 5
Page 5
Features a photograph of the Yew Tree dial located in the Gardens of Easton Lodge, near Great Dunmow, Essex. The dial was designed by David Young and John Moir.
Sundial Design & Layout, The BSS and Members
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 15
Page 15
Details the performance of the Macmillan Hunter dual sundial, Dihelion, during the Summer Solstice 2020 in Edinburgh. The metal dial has a silver finish and features a horizontal rod that marks the passage of the four seasons by its shadow on a curved scale.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual, How Sundials Work
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 20
Page 20
An obituary for David Young, a founder member (no. 3) and Vice-President of the BSS. He served as Secretary for ten years, organised conferences and international ‘sundial safaris,’ and was involved in projects like the Yew Tree Dial and sundial restoration projects.
Restoration projects, The BSS and Members
September 2020
Page 21
Page 21
An obituary for Gordon Ernest Taylor (no. 146), the BSS's first Registrar, renowned for his work in astronomy and lunar occultations. Highlights his gnomonic contributions, including a paper on reclining equiangular sundials (Foster-Lambert dial).
Dials: Foster-Lambert, Mathematics of Dialling, The BSS and Members
September 2020
Page 22
Page 22
An obituary for Alan Smith (no. 49), noting his career in museum studies and horology. He designed the Towneley Hall Sundial and the Martin Suggett Memorial Sundial in Welsh slate, and contributed extensively to the Bulletin.
Sundial Design & Layout, The BSS and Members
September 2020
Page 23
Page 23
Presents a gnomonic method using the ratio of the horizontal distance between the sub-nodus point, the noon line, and the equinox line to determine a wall's declination. The technique, illustrated using the Ragusa dial, also allows calculation of the nodus height for a vertical dial.
Dialling Tools, Dials: Vertical, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling
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 28
Page 28
The author recounts the design and project management of his final large sundial: a horizontal mean time dial for his hometown of Bedlington. The stainless steel dial incorporates local history, featuring winding gear designs in the base and a Bedlington Terrier gnomon.
Dials: Horizontal, Sundial Design & Layout, Construction Projects
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 38
Page 38
Describes the author's personal DIY project of printing a working stereographic sundial, calculated for his latitude, onto a face mask. Details the construction of a gnomon using a ball-point pen refill and a push pin, and the complexities of reading the time while wearing it.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Portable, Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout
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
September 2020
Page 46
Page 46
Reports the results of the 2020 BSS Photographic Competition, which was moved online due to the inability to hold the Annual Conference. Mike Shaw won first place for 'Time….. Flys'.
The BSS and Members
December 2020
Page 1
Page 1
The December issue reports the cancellation of the Newbury Meeting due to Covid-19. It introduces three new authors: Anne Guest (cyanotype art based on diagrams), Geoff Thurston (analysing a Graeco-Roman dial's arcs), and Pete Caldwell (a vertical declining sundial project during lockdown). It also notes obituaries for Michael Lowne and David Le Conte.
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 9
Page 9
John Moir recounts collaborating on a quirky equatorial dial for Mudchute Farm. Julian Greenberg corrects an obituary detail for David Young. Pete Caldwell asks readers to shed light on the proper pronunciation (Greek vs English) of the word 'gnomon'.
Dials: Equatorial, How Sundials Work, The BSS and Members
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 13
Page 13
A visual artist describes her artwork inspired by the relationship between nature, the sun, and time. She uses the cyanotype process (a non-camera photographic technique creating white lines on a blue background, similar to blueprints) to incorporate diagrams of properly delineated sundials alongside plants, insects, and birds. Gold leaf is often added to represent the sun.
Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout
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 16
Page 16
The author details the design and calculation of the Holker Hall scaphe dial (a spherical bowl dial). He explains the trigonometric formulae, derived using his 'y' formula, necessary for plotting points on the curved surface using distance and azimuth. He also proposes making a pair of large scaphe dials incorporating corrections for the Equation of Time (EoT) and longitude displacement.
Construction Projects, Dials: Scaphe, Equation of Time, Mathematics of Dialling
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 22
Page 22
Description of a large aperture nodus noon dial designed by the author and installed in a glass curtain wall at the Farnborough research site in 1996. The 1.8-metre tall dial declines 13.5° west of south and incorporates a gilded analemma calculated for 1999, which allows it to show both the date and mean time noon.
Construction Projects, Dials: Noon Lines, Dials: Vertical, Equation of Time
December 2020
Page 28
Page 28
A commentary on Mark Lennox-Boyd's scaphe dial article, providing an alternative, simpler mathematical derivation for plotting points on the spherical surface using horizon coordinates (altitude and azimuth). It also explores the design geometry, showing how the appearance of the dial markings changes based on the ratio of the sphere radius to the rim radius.
Dials: Scaphe, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2020
Page 31
Page 31
A brief note describing a visit to the Stock Exchange noon mark on 29 February 2020 (a leap year), managing to capture a photograph despite heavy rain. The spot of light aligned with the special thin strip for 29 February, marking GMT noon.
Dials: Vertical, Dials: Noon Lines
December 2020
Page 32
Page 32
The author details his DIY project to design and install a polished slate vertical declining sundial on his house wall during the 2020 lockdown. The final design, featuring Roman numerals, the Equation of Time, and a musical 'treble clef' gnomon, was achieved through self-calculation (graphical method) and professional craftsmanship for cutting and fixing.
Construction Projects, DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Vertical, Equation of Time
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 38
Page 38
The author describes helping a client re-create a vertical sundial on a 16th-century Wiltshire mill cottage chimney stack, which had been lost around 1900. The design incorporated findings from original fragments, including a unique concatenation of Roman numerals. A separate slate plaque with an Equation of Time correction, featuring a millstone image, was also added.
Construction Projects, Dials: Vertical, Equation of Time, Restoration projects
December 2020
Page 41
Page 41
A short piece describing the author’s process of checking the delineation of a simple horizontal sundial by rotating it in the sun to confirm the shadow direction. The text is accompanied by an unusual photograph caught by a "stray click" showing a reflection in sunglasses.
Dials: Horizontal, How Sundials Work, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2020
Page 42
Page 42
A Beginner’s Guide to Delineation: deriving the Lennox-Boyd ‘y’ formula using a gnomonic tetrahedron
An explanation of Mark Lennox-Boyd's 'y' formula (the length of the shadow of the gnomon nodus from the gnomon root). The formula is derived using spherical trigonometry simplified into four interconnected right-angled triangles forming a 'gnomonic tetrahedron'. This methodology is presented as a helpful tool for novice diallists learning delineation.
Dialling Tools, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
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 1
Page 1
Notes that this March issue contains required formal material (Trustees' Annual Report and Accounts) alongside usual articles, including "Alektryon" and the annual "Dial Dealings". Mentions the sad passing of Jill Wilson and her contribution to mass dial records and the Biographical Index.
The BSS and Members
March 2019
Page 2
Page 2
Describes a new universal stainless steel equatorial sundial called 'Alektryon', inspired by Greek mythology (the story of the sleepless cockerel). Designed by Andreas Galanakis, it serves as an educational tool with adjustments for latitude and practical uses like orientation and star gazing. Its proportions were determined using the golden ratio instrument, Eumetron.
Construction Projects, Dials: Equatorial, Sundial Design & Layout
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 16
Page 16
Review of Valery Dmitriev’s "Sundials of Saint Petersburg", the first book on sundials published in Russia in four decades. It serves as a comprehensive guide to historical and modern dials in the city, detailing their history and the author's personal construction experience.
Book Reviews
March 2019
Page 17
Page 17
Obituary for Rosalind Jill Wilson (1929–2018), a highly respected BSS member known for compiling the monumental Biographical Index of British Sundial Makers. Her diverse interests included geology, Egyptology, astronomy, and her work on the Index lists almost 1,900 names. She also left a bequest to the BSS.
The BSS and Members
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 26
Page 26
Details the creation of 'Mark III', an improved, portable equatorial heliochronometer. Key features include mechanisms for latitude adjustment (co-latitude scale), longitude correction (rotating the outer EoT scale), and a design for the date scale that minimises readability issues by allowing it to move in an arc. It uses Kevlar string for the gnomon and PTFE tape for smooth movement.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Heliochronometer, Equation of Time, Sundial Design & Layout
March 2019
Page 32
Page 32
Describes a conventional analemmatic sundial commissioned for the Abbot Alphege Academy in Bath. The Forest of Dean sandstone dial commemorates Abbot Alphege (martyred 1012) and incorporates pointer stones, Bailey points, an Alphege cross, and stones naming personal qualities such as courage and wisdom.
Construction Projects, Dials: Analemmatic
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 39
Page 39
Review of "Sundials: Cutting Time – The Science and Art of 27 Kindersley Dials" by Frank King and Lida Lopes Cardozo Kindersley. The beautifully produced book explores 27 dials made by the Cardozo Kindersley Workshop over 80 years, covering the science, making, art, and language of dialling, and features a stereographic projection on the end flap.
Book Reviews
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
March 2019
Page 41
Page 41
Reports on the Society reaching its 30th anniversary and maintaining core activities. Highlights successful infrastructure maintenance (Bulletin, website, registers), the publication of the first national Mass Dial Register, and progress on the Biographical Index. Notes the retirement of David Brown and the passing of Jill Wilson, and thanks volunteers.
The BSS and Members
March 2019
Page 44
Page 44
Presents the audited financial accounts for the British Sundial Society for the year ending 31st December 2018. Confirms the healthy financial status of the Society, capable of supporting current activities and future plans.
The BSS and Members
June 2019
Page 1
Page 1
Notes that this issue features an extensive report on the BSS 30th Anniversary Conference in Bath. Highlights include the unveiling of David Brown's refurbished armillary dial and the special anniversary cake. Also mentions erudite articles by Ortwin Feustel and Martin Jenkins, and laments the recent deaths of several distinguished diallists and members.
The BSS and Members
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 6
Page 6
Describes a large slate sundial with a gilded gnomon and flame-like hour lines displayed in a Cambridge bookshop. The dial had originally been intended for a smithy in Buckinghamshire that had subsequently burned down before installation.
Dials: Vertical
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 17
Page 17
Explains why the latest sunrise (measured in mean time) occurs after the winter solstice (the shortest day). This phenomenon results from the fast-changing value of the Equation of Time near the solstice, causing a nominal delay in sunrise and making evenings appear lighter before the shortest day.
Equation of Time, Mathematics of Dialling
June 2019
Page 19
Page 19
A picture showing the largest of the celebratory cakes baked by Pauline and Michael Faraday that was used for the ceremonial cutting at the 30th Anniversary Conference dinner in Bath.
The BSS and Members
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 27
Page 27
Obituary for BSS member Anton Schmitz (1925–2019), a master German stone mason and sculptor. He was renowned for crafting spherical dials, such as the one at Eifel National Park, and was regarded as one of the most prolific stone sundial makers ever.
The BSS and Members
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 29
Page 29
Official minutes of the AGM held during the Bath conference. Notes the receipt of the accounts and trustees' report, the re-election of Bill Visick as a trustee, and the retirement of David Brown.
The BSS and Members
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 34
Page 34
A note accompanying a photograph of the delegates gathered on the steps outside the Pump Room, Bath, during the Sunday morning visit of the BSS 30th Anniversary Conference.
The BSS and Members
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
June 2019
Page 38
Page 38
Extensive report on the conference, including the unveiling of an armillary dial plaque in Parade Gardens, tours of local sights, and presentations on ancient solar alignments, Tompion's clocks, the Bologna meridian line, mass dials, and portable sundial design.
The BSS and Members
September 2019
Page 1
Page 1
The editorial notes that the September issue is thinner than normal, mentions the highest recorded UK temperature (38.7° C) in Cambridge on 25 July, and highlights recurring themes like follow-up articles, Latin mottoes, the shortest day, and a saga resulting from a query to the Help and Advice Service.
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 7
Page 7
This piece examines Latin mottoes found on sundials visited during the 2019 BSS Conference in Bath. It provides translations for inscriptions on the Parade Gardens armillary sphere, Kingswood School’s vertical and analemmatic dials, and the Pilkington & Gibbs heliochronometer, ending with a challenge regarding the Royal Victoria Park cross dial inscription.
Dials: Analemmatic, Dials: Heliochronometer, Dials: Vertical, Mottoes
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 12
Page 12
This survey focuses on the ornate gnomons used on attractive portable dials made for gentlemen. Examples are provided from various makers, including Michael Butterfield, Pierre Sevin, Nicholas Lemaindre, and Richard Glynn, showcasing finely fretted, gilt, and engraved designs on small silver or brass horizontal and inclining dials.
Dials: Portable
September 2019
Page 14
Page 14
The author recounts finding a brass strip outside Union Station in Denver, Colorado, marking 105° west longitude, the reference meridian for Mountain Time. He explains to an assembled tour group that this longitude corresponds to Mountain Time being seven hours behind the time in the U.K.
Mathematics of Dialling, The BSS and Members
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 20
Page 20
This follow-up article explains, using an astronomical perspective, why the earliest sunset and latest sunrise do not coincide exactly with the shortest day. The discrepancy arises because the Equation of Time causes the 'noon' line, measured by local mean time, to wander relative to the 12h line, shifting the symmetry of the sunrise and sunset curves.
Equation of Time, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling
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 33
Page 33
This letter comments on the study of the shortest day, noting that Claudius Ptolemy wrote about the 'Inequality in the Days' around 150 AD in "The Almagest". Ptolemy correctly identified the two causes—the Solar Anomaly (Eccentricity Effect) and the variation in Meridian crossing (Obliquity Effect)—demonstrating extraordinary precision in calculating the Equation of Time effects.
How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling, Equation of Time
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
September 2019
Page 36
Page 36
This piece describes a very large, difficult-to-spot sundial located high on the south-east face of the Alfred A. Arraj United States Courthouse in Denver, Colorado. The dial, declining 48.08° east, is estimated to be 38 feet wide by 19 feet high, uses stainless steel strips for furniture, and demonstrates the building’s green credentials.
Construction Projects, Dials: Vertical, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2019
Page 1
Page 1
The December issue covers reports from the Newbury meeting, highlighting the successful restoration of a painted stone sundial based on three talks. It also notes new sundial articles from various geographical locations and includes an obituary for Andrew James.
The BSS and Members
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 11
Page 11
A group photograph of the speakers who presented at the Newbury One-Day Meeting on 21 September 2019, taken by Mike Shaw.
The BSS and Members
December 2019
Page 12
Page 12
This article details the design and installation of a 3-metre tall obelisk sundial in Cornwall. The obelisk has an equilateral triangular cross-section, featuring two declining/reclining dials engraved on granite and slate, plus a simplified EoT correction table on the north face. Precise GPS alignment and a custom stainless steel turntable were used during installation to achieve high accuracy.
Construction Projects, Dials: Multi Faced, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2019
Page 16
Page 16
A brief mention of the long lunch break provided at the Newbury One-Day Meeting on 21 September 2019, which allowed attendees time to view the various exhibits inside the hall and outside in the sunshine.
The BSS and Members
December 2019
Page 17
Page 17
Description of the design and construction of a large, interactive combination sundial located at the ’s-Graveland observatory in the Netherlands. The 5.5-metre dial combines a cord sundial, indicating local apparent time, with a horizontal sundial, showing Central European Summer Time. The article details the mathematical calculations, material choices (Robinia wood), and implementation steps for this educational project.
Construction Projects, DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual
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 24
Page 24
Description of a recently constructed, large helical equinoctial dial located in Fouzilhon, France. Made of Vosges granite, the dial features a gnomon with a unique helical slot that projects a strip of light onto the hour scale engraved inside the helical chapter ring. The design also incorporates zodiac signs and information on Equation of Time corrections.
Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout, Construction Projects
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 31
Page 31
An obituary for Andrew James (1954–2019), former Master of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers. He was celebrated for his immense knowledge of horology, his career as a chief scientist for a meter manufacturer, and his significant contributions to sundialling, including carving slate dials and expertise in the technicalities of the Equation of Time.
The BSS and Members
December 2019
Page 32
Page 32
A technical article detailing the design and mathematics of a sundial delineated inside a right circular cone. Sunlight passing through a polar-oriented slit projects a time-telling strip of light onto the interior surface. An aperture nodus simultaneously projects a spot indicating the solar declination. The article includes formulae for deriving hour lines and the characteristic closed-curve calendar lines.
Dials: Unusual, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2019
Page 37
Page 37
A description of an oak leaf sundial sculpture acquired from an exhibition by Tim Chalk. The piece features life-size oak leaves etched into glass and cast in plaster, creating the hour lines using their shadows. A single oak bud acts as a nodus to show solar time, making it both an artistic and scientific piece.
Construction Projects, Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2019
Page 38
Page 38
An expansion on the study of sunrise and sunset times, providing systematic calculations across all latitudes. Using a two-step iterative calculation, the author compares the symmetrical results found in Solar Time against the asymmetrical results in Standard Time, demonstrating how the Equation of Time (EoT) dramatically perturbs the earliest and latest sunrise/sunset days across various latitudes.
Equation of Time, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling
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 1
Page 1
Notes on the inclusion of the Trustees’ Annual Report and BSS Accounts in the March issue. Mentions key articles featured, including the annual Dial Dealings, a scholarly account of a Chadburn Bros horizontal dial, a postscript on the 2017 American eclipse, and the serendipitous discovery of the relocated Detroit sundial.
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 7
Page 7
Reports that BSS member Andrew James was installed as Master of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers on 23 January. Notes that other BSS members, Joanna Migdal and Keith Scobie-Youngs, also hold positions within the Company as Renter Warden and a Court Assistant.
The BSS and Members
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 14
Page 14
Describes the creation of a new, five-line mass dial cut into the west face of a headstone in East Anglia. The dial declines 14° south of due west. The author discusses the gnomonic challenges of such an orientation and demonstrates that using a horizontal, north-south aligned gnomon allows the shadow to align with the vertical noon line.
Dials: Mass Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
March 2018
Page 15
Page 15
Presents a page from the book Sun-Dial Notes by Nellie Stearns Goodloe, originally published as a calendar for 1894. The calendar is also noted to be correct for 2018, and features illustrations of sundials copied from Gatty, such as the dial on Chartres Cathedral.
Book Reviews
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 19
Page 19
A light-hearted account of finding a British wine in a supermarket that seemed ideal for sundial enthusiasts due to its label, which mentioned grapes from 'every time zone'. They decided against purchasing it due to its low quality implied by the £3 price point.
The BSS and Members
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 21
Page 21
A short, humorous piece detailing the author's 80th birthday 'sundial', actually a chocolate cake in the shape of a sundial. The cake was dedicated by his granddaughter, whom he hopes might make an entry for a BSS cake competition.
Dials: Unusual, The BSS and Members
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 28
Page 28
Details the creation of a second, improved equatorial heliochronometer, 'Mark II'. This design is smaller and more portable than the first model. It incorporates a precise rotation mechanism (belt and pulley system) and an Equation of Time correction method based on the Pilkington Sol Horometer, which also accommodates automatic adjustment for GMT/BST transitions.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Heliochronometer, Equation of Time
March 2018
Page 33
Page 33
A correction and postscript clarifying the designer and constructor of a solar projector used during the 2017 American Eclipse. The device was constructed by Don Snyder based on a design by Michael Bakich. It uses a finderscope to project the image and an alignment peg that serves as a temporary gnomon.
Construction Projects, Dialling Tools
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
March 2018
Page 36
Page 36
An overview of the Society's activities supporting the advancement of gnomonic education. Highlights include extensive outreach (lectures, school workshops), advice to professional bodies (e.g., Buckingham Palace, Royal Observatory Greenwich), maintenance of the national sundial database, and the healthy financial status of the BSS. Membership numbers and age distribution are discussed as a cause for concern.
The BSS and Members
March 2018
Page 39
Page 39
Presents the audited financial accounts for the British Sundial Society for the year ending 31st December 2017. The accounts confirm the healthy financial status of the Society, capable of supporting current activities for the foreseeable future.
The BSS and Members
June 2018
Page 1
Page 1
Discusses the importance of the BSS Register of Fixed Dials, maintained by John Foad, and urges members to report new or updated dials. It notes the lack of a Register of Mass Dials and solicits help to assess the raw data held at the Borthwick Institute. Frank King also wishes dial-maker Tony Moss a happy retirement.
The BSS and Members
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 9
Page 9
Laments the absence of a comprehensive Mass Dial Register, similar to the existing Fixed Dial Register. The letter notes that raw data exists at the Borthwick Institute and proposes creating either a full Mass Dial Register or an abridged version to list church locations, dedications, and the number of mass dials.
Dials: Mass Dials, The BSS and Members
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 17
Page 17
Details a commission for a vertical sundial incorporating a circular graphic of the Enoch calendar, which follows a 364-day year. The calendar graphic, divided into 52 weeks and 12 months, is superimposed but operates independently of the solar delineation due to the difference between the calendar and the true solar year.
Construction Projects, Dials: Vertical, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2018
Page 20
Page 20
Report on the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers' event aimed at showing young Londoners career paths in horology. BSS member David Brown designed a paper sundial featuring the BSS logo, which was distributed to the 950 attending children, many of whom were amazed that a sundial could work.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Portable
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 24
Page 24
A valedictory article detailing the author's final metal sundial commissions for Newcastle High School for Girls. He recounts the challenges of etching brass and ultimately hand-engraving the lines to ensure durability. The article marks the conclusion of his two decades of intensive dial production.
Construction Projects, Dials: Horizontal, The BSS and Members
June 2018
Page 28
Page 28
The author describes creating seven miniature sundials as gifts for people who assisted him in his life or gnomonic projects. Examples include 'Peterhof' for an art historian, 'The Swallow' for a supportive official, and 'White Angel', a copy of the dial at his parents' grave.
Construction Projects, Dials: Portable, Dials: Unusual
June 2018
Page 30
Page 30
Focuses on the 2013 polar granite sundial in Teddy Park, Jerusalem, designed by Maty Grünberg. The dial is symbolic of cooperation, achieved through the collaboration of Arab and Jewish participants during its construction. It uses an aperture nodus to mark key dates, including the International Day of Tolerance.
Construction Projects, Dials: Polar
June 2018
Page 33
Page 33
A short note confirming that the gavel, crafted for the Society by John Lester, was utilised by Chairman Frank King to officially commence the BSS Annual General Meeting.
The BSS and Members
June 2018
Page 34
Page 34
Report on the NASS Conference in St Louis, held to coincide with the 2017 solar eclipse. Visits included the Korean War Memorial vertical dial and the Missouri Botanical Gardens, featuring a Richard Schmoyer Sunquest dial. An Ottoman-style horizontal dial displaying Italian and Babylonian hours was also seen.
The BSS and Members
June 2018
Page 37
Page 37
Summarises the results of the Photographic Competition held at the Norwich Annual Conference. David Le Conte won first place, Mike Shaw second, and Ian Butson third. The competition received 26 entries from eleven members, including participants from overseas.
The BSS and Members
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 47
Page 47
Reports that BSS member Anthony Turner was awarded the 2018 Paul Bunge Prize. The prize recognises outstanding contributions to the history of scientific instruments, honouring Anthony's lifetime achievements in astronomical and mathematical-physical instruments.
The BSS and Members
June 2018
Page 48
Page 48
Official documentation of the Annual General Meeting held in Norwich. Graham Stapleton and Chris Williams were re-elected as charity trustees. Independent Examiners Ltd was appointed to examine the 2018 annual statement of accounts.
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 1
Page 1
Notes that this issue is slightly thinner due to fewer article submissions. Mentions Anthony Turner’s article on a glass sundial centre panel and John Wilson’s piece detailing the BSS library in Nottingham. Expresses gratitude to authors, noting the long sunny summer should have encouraged sundial photography.
The BSS and Members
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 6
Page 6
Reports on several dial makers exhibiting at the Chelsea Flower Show. David Harber featured the 'Aeon' sunburst sculpture and an armillary dial. Border Sundials displayed eight pieces, winning a 4-star trade stand award. Martin Cook Studio showed slate dials focusing on calligraphy, and Caroline Dear of Stonecraft displayed dials on Portland stone pedestals.
Dials: Armillary Sphere, Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Vertical
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 22
Page 22
Details the BSS Library, housed in the Thoroton Room of the historic Bromley House Library in Nottingham. The collection is for reference only and includes valuable books kept in locked cupboards. The Library building, which also houses a brass meridian line and a heliochronometer, is currently undergoing a major restoration programme.
The BSS and Members
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 27
Page 27
Obituary for Professor Ian David Phimester Wootton, a senior BSS member and respected chemical pathologist who pioneered routine blood tests. A founding member of the Association of Clinical Biochemists, he was BSS membership number 172, serving as the Society's first formal Registrar and introducing the computerised relational database system used today.
The BSS and Members
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 1
Page 1
Notes that this is a bumper Christmas issue and thanks contributing authors. Mentions key articles featured, including the recovery of a stolen sundial, an outdoor reflection dial for a north wall, findings from a local cemetery, and new stone and slate vertical dials by BSS makers.
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 11
Page 11
Details the commission and creation of two vertical wall dials. One is a declining Portland stone dial with a Copernicus quote. The second is a south-facing slate dial showing common, Babylonian, and Italian hours, utilising a notched rod gnomon to serve as a nodus and aid in reading the complex hour systems.
Construction Projects, Dials: Vertical, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2018
Page 14
Page 14
Account of crafting the M-29, a complex slate double horizontal dial delineated for Somerton. The design required extensive research, spreadsheets for data, and the extension of a beam compass to handle large radii for the stereographic projection. The article details the construction process, including V-cutting, material choice, and gnomon construction.
Construction Projects, Dials: Double Horizontal, Sundial Design & Layout
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 19
Page 19
Describes a functional horizontal sundial made in a clay modelling class for the visually impaired. It uses boundary lines between contrasting colours and ladybirds marking 1.5-hour intervals, prioritizing visibility and simplicity over high accuracy for its users.
Construction Projects, Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2018
Page 20
Page 20
Detailed account of creating an outdoor reflection sundial over five years for a north-facing wall, using a mirror to project a sunspot. The final brass design is a hybrid, using virtual gnomon hour lines for GMT and analemmas marked by planets and asteroids for clock time correction, also celebrating the birth of grandchildren.
Construction Projects, Dials: Reflected, Sundial Design & Layout
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 30
Page 30
Describes creating miniature equatorial ‘oculus’ or ‘finger’ dials in pottery, inspired by ancient spherical dials. These interactive dials are read by blocking the sun hole with a finger to align the light spot on the vertical datum line, suitable for educational use.
Construction Projects, Dials: Portable, Dials: Scaphe, Dials: Unusual
December 2018
Page 32
Page 32
A short note pointing out that a bronze sundial made by the author, featuring a figure of Shakespeare and the motto “Life’s but a walking shadow”, was used on the Royal Shakespeare Company’s 2017 Christmas card.
Construction Projects, Mottoes, The BSS and Members
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 37
Page 37
Reports on the successful celebrations, including a magnificent cake, for the 25th anniversary of the North American Sundial Society (NASS) held at their Pittsburgh conference. Notes the upcoming 30th anniversary of the BSS in 2019.
The BSS and Members
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 44
Page 44
Summary of presentations at the Newbury meeting, covering topics such as aligning boulder dials, using Trespa® as a novel material, dialling scales for laying out dials, Martins Gills' London dial research, Kevin Karney's EoT website, Graham Parks' north wall reflected dial, and John Davis' particle physics experiments on early dials.
The BSS and Members
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
December 2018
Page 50
Page 50
Discusses various challenges in construction projects: ensuring builders are briefed, problems with adhesive on plastic hour lines, and extreme delays (nine years and counting) in installing a replacement dial at St Edmund Hall, Oxford, due to regulatory hurdles.
Construction Projects, Restoration projects
December 2018
Page 52
Page 52
A tribute to the BSS Sundial Glossary for providing the necessary formulae to understand and reproduce the complex criss-cross patterns of Babylonian and Italian hours observed on a polyhedral Scottish dial. The writer provides a faithful reproduction of the hour lines.
Dials: Multi Faced, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling, The BSS and Members
March 2017
Page 1
Page 1
The editorial notes that this issue contains three reviews, including a description of the New York 'Time and Cosmos' exhibition. It encourages BSS members to submit articles or short items on sundial themes for publication. The issue also includes the annual Trustees’ Report and Accounts, a requirement due to the Society becoming a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.
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 8
Page 8
A large sundial in Delhi is reported to be one of the largest scientifically accurate sundials in the world, although the author expresses doubt regarding this claim. Access to the site is difficult due to its location in a complex of flyovers, and poor air quality often means the dial rarely sees the sun.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual
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 11
Page 11
Review of *Medieval Graffiti: The Lost Voices of England’s Churches by Matthew Champion. It notes the book's comprehensive approach to church graffiti, including a dedicated chapter on mass dials. The review addresses questions about the utility of mass dials for time-telling and compares the differing height placements observed in British and Spanish corpuses.
Book Reviews, Dials: Mass 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 15
Page 15
This short item features a 1926 birthday postcard, printed by Raphael Tuck & Sons, which includes a verse using the original word 'dial'. The use of 'dial' rather than the then more common form 'sun-dial' or 'sundial' is highlighted.
March 2017
Page 16
Page 16
Analysis of Dorothy Hartley (1893–1985), known for her fine sundial illustrations in T. Geoffrey W. Henslow's books (c. 370 sketches). The article discusses her artistic quality, but notes technical errors in her drawings, such as incorrect shadow directions and misdrawn analemmatic components, suggesting a lack of technical gnomonic knowledge when she was young.
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 28
Page 28
Description of the Exmoor Sundial and Starclock, an armillary sphere unveiled in 2015. Unusually, this stainless steel dial incorporates a nocturnal mounted on its meridian ring, allowing time measurement at night by sighting the North Star and guide stars in Ursa Major (The Plough).
Construction Projects, Dials: Armillary Sphere, Dials: Nocturnals
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 36
Page 36
A humorous postcard, artist unknown (number 4513), is described, showing a couple whose sunburnt faces are referred to compared to as 'sun-dials'.
March 2017
Page 37
Page 37
Analysis of wooden diptych sundials (late 18th/early 19th century, Southern Germany) that often only had hour lines delineated for a single latitude (typically 50°). The author calculates the errors (up to 20 minutes) when these dials are used at distant latitudes (e.g., 40° N or 54° N), even if the string gnomon is correctly reset.
Dials: Portable, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling
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
March 2017
Page 41
Page 41
Includes translation and historical context for the Greek motto ‘Zoe Atme skie’ ('Life is smoke, shadow'), previously found on a dial in the Isle of Man and now noted in Edinburgh. Also features a letter discussing a member's return to simple sundial construction using reclaimed materials.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Vertical, Mottoes, The BSS and Members
March 2017
Page 42
Page 42
Report covering BSS activities: membership levels were flat with a small decline, finances saw a surplus, and four quality Bulletins were produced. It highlights the continued success of the website as the main source of new members and the value of the Help and Advice service.
The BSS and Members
March 2017
Page 44
Page 44
The audited financial statements for the British Sundial Society for the previous calendar year, presented as required by the new Constitution for the Charitable Incorporated Organisation.
The BSS and Members
June 2017
Page 1
Page 1
This editorial announces the obituary of Allan Mills and includes a report of the Oxford Conference and the AGM Minutes. It reminds members registering sundials to take a crucial side view of the gnomon for the Society’s records, as these views are essential should the gnomon ever go astray.
The BSS and Members
June 2017
Page 2
Page 2
This article explores the irresistible temptation to use Brighton's vertical i360 tower as the gnomon for an azimuthal sundial. It details the i360 Sundial Society's proposals to mark time paths and date paths on the built-up, sloping ground of Regency Square using specially-made bricks.
Construction Projects, Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout
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 32
Page 32
This article reports on the restoration project to replace a heavily rusted, old iron armillary sphere in Ipswich's Christchurch Park. A new bronze dial, custom-made by Robert Foster Sundials, was mounted on a restored pedestal and dedicated to the recently deceased Dr John Blatchly MBE.
Dials: Armillary Sphere, Restoration projects
June 2017
Page 33
Page 33
A short, humorous piece noting a poster seen by conference delegates advertising the Oxford Museum of the History of Science. The author pointed out that the poster designer should have checked what a sundial looks like.
The BSS and Members
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
June 2017
Page 38
Page 38
This is an obituary for Allan Alfred Mills (1933–2017), BSS membership number 008, who was a strong contributor to the Bulletin. A lecturer in Planetary Science, he was known for his work on scientific instruments, models (often in wood), and investigation into obscure phenomena.
The BSS and Members
June 2017
Page 39
Page 39
The author describes the design and laser-cut construction of a stainless steel pin gnomon gravestone sundial on black granite. The vertical dial includes solstices/equinoxes lines and additional declination lines marking the birth and passing dates of the author’s wife.
Construction Projects, Dials: Vertical, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2017
Page 42
Page 42
A detailed report on the 2017 BSS Annual Conference in Oxford. Summaries include talks on determining wall declination, the analysis of a double vertical dial, 17th-century eclipse dials, and a presentation suggesting the Navicula originated in East Anglia.
The BSS and Members
June 2017
Page 48
Page 48
Records the proceedings of the AGM held in Oxford on 22 April 2017. Business included receiving the 2016 accounts, the re-election of trustees Jackie Jones and Frank King, and discussing potential advertising efforts to counteract the fall in membership.
The BSS and Members
June 2017
Page 48
Page 48
This short entry references John Lester's presentation at the Oxford Conference, showcasing his delightful collection of wooden portable sundials.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Portable
September 2017
Page 1
Page 1
This editorial encourages conference speakers and attendees of Newbury meetings to submit articles to the Bulletin for the benefit of all members. It also reminds members that holiday photographs of sundials, such as those featured in 'A Missed Opportunity', can be developed into published articles.
The BSS and Members
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 14
Page 14
A poem, edited by Kevin Karney, that was read at the 2017 BSS Conference in Oxford. It details how RAF ground staff stationed at Kalyan airfield, India, during 1945, relieved their boredom and homesickness by constructing a makeshift sundial (a 'mound' with a pole gnomon and painted components) outside the Mess.
Construction Projects, DIY Sundial Projects
September 2017
Page 16
Page 16
This describes a 40cm square, diamond-format horizontal sundial made of Welsh slate, featuring a brass gnomon with a nodus notch. It includes an EoT graph and declination curves. The inscription uses four phrases from Sir Francis Bacon’s essay ‘Of Gardens’ and was commissioned as an 80th birthday gift.
Dials: Horizontal, Sundial Design & Layout
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 21
Page 21
An obituary for Peter-Jochen Kunath (1944–2017), a German enthusiast and BSS member who calculated and built numerous sundials. He collected and translated over 2,000 Latin aphorisms, and won the 2012 Bulletin ‘Most Enjoyed Article’ award for his piece on Henry Moore’s equatorial dial.
The BSS and Members
September 2017
Page 22
Page 22
This article describes a polar sundial constructed by Sundials Australia for the Anzac Centenary Memorial Garden in Darwin (latitude 12.5° N). The gunmetal bronze dial includes a block gnomon and features a dedicated dateline for 25 April, Anzac Day.
Construction Projects, Dials: Polar, Sundial Design & Layout
September 2017
Page 23
Page 23
Reporting on a sundial seen on a new building in Dickens Heath, Solihull, the author notes that, despite initial delight, the dial was inaccurate upon closer inspection. The wall declines 59° East, and the author intends to contact the designer to persuade them to correct the inaccuracies.
Dials: Vertical, Sundial Design & Layout
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 26
Page 26
This describes the creation of a temporary analemmatic sundial on the grounds of Wroxton Primary School, intended as an educational resource. Components were made from red plastic board using stencils and spray paint. Alignment relied on Google Earth data, as the sun did not appear. The authors suggest this project, executed before the Oxford Conference, could become a BSS custom.
Construction Projects, DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Analemmatic, The BSS and Members
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 36
Page 36
This details the design and construction of a DIY equatorial heliochronometer intended to show clock time easily. It compensates for latitude, longitude, BST, and EoT by allowing the time scale (mounted on a rotating dial plate annulus) to be physically rotated via an acrylic pointer aligned to an EoT graph. The gnomon is a thin, tensioned stainless steel wire.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Heliochronometer, Sundial Design & Layout
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
September 2017
Page 44
Page 44
This article details the visit to the Esperance Stonehenge, a full-size replica of the UK original, built in 2011 using 2500 tons of local granite. The massive structure is aligned to the Summer Solstice sunrise and Winter Solstice sunset for its Australian latitude. The authors strongly recommend this construction to BSS visitors.
Construction Projects, Dials: Unusual
September 2017
Page 46
Page 46
This describes a memorial in Mullaghmore, Ireland, commemorating forgotten villagers, featuring a six-foot sandstone capstone incorporating a limestone sundial. The dial, designed by Christian Meyer, indicates local sun-time and features a stainless steel gnomon with Celtic interlacery. The sundial symbolises the passing of time.
Construction Projects, Dials: Horizontal, Sundial Design & Layout
September 2017
Page 47
Page 47
A review of Richard J.A. Talbert’s 2017 book, *Roman Portable Sundials: The Empire in your Hand*. The book describes the 16 known ‘geographical’ portable dials from the Roman period, which feature place names and latitude figures. It discusses their potential significance in understanding the educated public's geographical awareness and worldviews.
Book Reviews, Dials: Portable
September 2017
Page 48
Page 48
This entry references an extensive survey compiled by Mike Cowham and Fred Sawyer, covering English language sundial books published from the late 16th to the early 20th centuries. The survey is now available for members on the BSS website.
Book Reviews, Mathematics of Dialling, The BSS and Members
December 2017
Page 1
Page 1
The editorial notes reports on talks from the Newbury Meeting, particularly those by John Davis and Ian Butson, which were expanded into full articles. It reports the death of Frank Evans and mentions a time-related exhibition on 'The Clockwork Universe' in Pavia, Italy, which runs until 23 December.
The BSS and Members
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 5
Page 5
Features a photograph and description of a vertical fibreglass sundial, the handiwork of David Pawley, situated high on the south front of Sundial House near the Newbury train station.
Dials: Vertical, The BSS and Members
December 2017
Page 6
Page 6
Examines how a chord scale (such as on a Sector instrument or line of chords rule) can be used for geometrically laying out a dial design. The article discusses the historical use and trigonometry of chords and compares the process to using a protractor.
Dialling Tools, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2017
Page 8
Page 8
Notes that the company RedBubble prints photographs on various products (like throw pillows and tote bags), many of which feature images of sundials, such as the Paternoster Square Noon Mark.
Dials: Noon Lines
December 2017
Page 9
Page 9
Reports on the protracted restoration of a vertical painted wooden sundial at St Mary’s Church, near the historic Rothschild estates. Due to extensive rot, a new plywood dial was constructed, the gnomon replaced, and the hour lines were corrected based on the wall's measured declination.
Dials: Vertical, Restoration projects
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 18
Page 18
A report on the observation of the total solar eclipse of 21 August 2017, held during the NASS conference at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. Methods of observation, including a kitchen strainer, a reflection instrument, and Bill Gottesman's ingenious Eclipse Sundial, telling the time by the angle of the line between the sun's horns, are described.
Dials: Unusual, The BSS and Members
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 34
Page 34
Presents two unusual sundials seen in Bloomfield Hills, USA: an equatorial dial of cast bronze at the Cranbrook Institute of Science with an analemma; and a horizontal dial at Cranbrook House designed in the shape of a swan, where the tail serves as the gnomon.
Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual, Equation of Time
December 2017
Page 37
Page 37
Describes a single-sided equatorial sundial, made from a pebble, that was given to delegates at the 2017 NASS Conference. The gnomon features a crescent cut-out as a memento of the solar eclipse, and time is read from the leading edge shadow falling on sandblasted alternate gaps.
Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Portable, Dials: Unusual, The BSS and Members
December 2017
Page 39
Page 39
An obituary for Frank Evans (1926–2017), BSS member No. 37, a strong Bulletin contributor, who was a former Merchant Navy officer and a lecturer in marine biology.
The BSS and Members
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 1
Page 1
This section notifies readers that the Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts for 2015 are published in this issue, as required by the new Constitution. It asks members to submit their votes for their three most enjoyed articles of 2015. It also announces the transitioning of Bulletin production staff, with David and Jen Brown joining the team.
The BSS and Members
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 9
Page 9
This letter addresses the move to abolish leap seconds, which are introduced to keep UTC (GMT) linked to to mean solar time. The author argues that abolition would cause accurately constructed fixed sundials, such as the Dolphin Dial at Greenwich, to become increasingly inaccurate over decades. Happily the 2015 World Radiocommunication Conference postponed any decision until 2023.
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 12
Page 12
A short discussion hypothesizing that a blemish on an Ordnance Survey bench mark at St John’s Church, Hildenborough, might be an attempt by a ‘prankster’ to create a scratch dial. The resulting lines, however, would be highly inaccurate for tracking church services.
Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Unusual
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 17
Page 17
Discusses a common error made by beginners in sundial design concerning how sunrays change edges on sharp-edged gnomons at 6 am and 6 pm, in addition to the more widely known ‘noon gap’. Getting this aspect wrong results in incorrect dial layouts.
How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling, 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 20
Page 20
Description of a large, modern, analemmatic dial designed by Howard Peel for the Doha Anantara Island Resort and Spa. The dial's design requires the hotel staff to move the gnomon daily and incorporates an analemma scale for estimating the Equation of Time.
Dials: Analemmatic, Equation of Time, Sundial Design & Layout
March 2016
Page 21
Page 21
Historical investigation into a transitional mass dial at St Wandregesilius’s church, Bixley, dated after 1272. The numbered hour-lines (VI-XII-VI) suggest it pre-dates scientific dials and provides insight into the introduction of the equal-hour system in medieval England, possibly linked to Norwich's early clock usage.
Dials: Mass 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 29
Page 29
A humorous critique of a poorly laid out slate horizontal dial seen in a Cambridgeshire garden centre. The dial incorrectly shows equal 15° hour calibrations, lacks a gnomon gap, and displays noon at 1:40 pm, rendering it useless as a timekeeper.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual
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
March 2016
Page 31
Page 31
A brief note on an equatorial sundial located on the campus of the University at Pune, India. This variant of the famous large Indian masonry dials was constructed in concrete and steel in the 1980s.
Dials: Equatorial
March 2016
Page 32
Page 32
Describes the construction and installation of a 1.3-metre diameter stainless steel armillary sphere commissioned by Schaeffler for their South Wales plant. The sphere features engraved traditional hour rings contrasted with laser-etched elements for a corporate look.
Construction Projects, Dials: Armillary Sphere
March 2016
Page 33
Page 33
An account of finding a horizontal sundial on Gugh in the Isles of Scilly, which appeared approximately seven years ago. The dial's wooden gnomon is inscribed with its latitude and longitude, and the author notes the local museum is seeking information regarding the builder, thought to be holiday-makers.
Dials: Horizontal
March 2016
Page 33
Page 33
This report details the Society's efforts in public education, including the Bulletin, enhanced website, schools outreach, conferences, and dial recording. It notes a decline in membership due to an ageing structure and the progressive retirement of stalwart volunteers.
The BSS and Members
March 2016
Page 36
Page 36
The formal financial statements and accounts for the British Sundial Society for the year ended 31st December 2015.
The BSS and Members
June 2016
Page 1
Page 1
This issue covers the Liverpool Conference, including accounts of the talks, awards, and photographic competition. It announces that Christine Northeast’s article "‘The Moving Sundial of Ardrossan’" was the ‘Most Enjoyed Article 2015’. The editorial team encourages readers to submit new articles, especially those detailing historical interests or new sundial construction projects.
The BSS and Members
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 13
Page 13
Description of a new direct east-facing moon dial commissioned for a client. The dial's gnomon is modelled on the nodus star of the Albi cathedral dial. It can function as a sundial using a chart located nearby, which also provides Equation of Time data.
Construction Projects, Dials: Nocturnals, Dials: Vertical, Equation of Time
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
The author supports the view that the purported ‘Viking sun compass’ is not a navigational device. Summarizing historical analyses from 1954, the object found in Greenland rubble was rejected as inaccurate likely purely decorative, with suggestions that it might have been a bread mould.
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 16
Page 16
Report on the Society’s fifth award scheme (2010–2015), which resulted in fourteen submissions (including one restoration and one reproduction) from three continents. Certificates were awarded to all accurate and well-designed entrants, with several highly commended. Brief summaries of dials by David Brown, Tim Chalk, Tony Moss, Charles Perry, and others are provided.
Construction Projects, Restoration projects, The BSS and Members
June 2016
Page 19
Page 19
Discusses threats to sundials, including vandals, thieves, and wandering elephants. It reports that the spherical dial at London Zoo is incorrectly inclined because it was "nudged by an elephant" years ago, and the subsequent re-installation failed to correct the orientation.
Dials: Equatorial
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
June 2016
Page 39
Page 39
A crossword puzzle provided for the enjoyment of members. Most answers relate to sundialling concepts, makers, and terminology, with five answers unconnected to the subject.
The BSS and Members
June 2016
Page 40
Page 40
Report on the competition held at the Liverpool Conference, where results were determined by a vote from attending members. Ian Butson’s entry, "Does anyone have the right time, please?" won first place, followed by Darek Oczki’s and Margaret Ribchester’s entries.
The BSS and Members
June 2016
Page 44
Page 44
A report on the 2016 Conference talks, including Geoff Parsons on a polar dial in Darwin, Fred Sawyer on self-orientating dials, John Davis on the Bulletin, and Seb Falk on medieval astronomical instruments. Also covered are the Sundial Awards and Photographic Competition results.
The BSS and Members
June 2016
Page 48
Page 48
Formal minutes of the AGM held on 16 April 2016 under the new Charitable Incorporated Organisation constitution. The 2015 accounts and trustees' report were accepted, Bill Visick was re-elected as trustee, and Independent Examiners Ltd was reappointed.
The BSS and Members
September 2016
Page 1
Page 1
Congratulates Sue Manston for completing the challenging crossword puzzle, the solution for which is in this issue. It notes the wide variety of articles, including significant historical research and reports on dials found during members' travels. The team encourages readers to submit new information or photographs of sundials encountered.
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 6
Page 6
A poem about a sick child named Owain, who constructs a temporary paper-circle sundial on the grass using a broken bean stick and fragments of stone. The piece describes the child calculating the time using the slow finger of light.
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 10
Page 10
An obituary for Margaret Ribchester, a much-loved, enthusiastic dial seeker who contributed over a hundred accurate and historically rich reports to the BSS Register since 2009, mainly from Lancashire and Yorkshire. She was a frequent contributor to the Photographic Competition, winning a prize this year.
The BSS and Members
September 2016
Page 11
Page 11
Description of the installation of an Orbdial universal sundial, made by Macmillan Hunter Sundials, in a historic garden above Montreux, Switzerland. The design features a meridian ring that was rotated to compensate for the difference in latitude between its Scottish delineation and its final Swiss location.
Construction Projects, Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout
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 12
Page 12
Details the successful construction and installation of a large, square, gold-leafed vertical sundial (1860 mm square) on the newly completed gatehouse tower of Brighton College. The dial was delineated 24° west of south and manufactured by Smith of Derby, utilizing modern materials and techniques.
Construction Projects, Dials: Vertical, Sundial Design & Layout
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 21
Page 21
Describes a new 500 mm marble horizontal sundial designed with Islamic influences for a tropical location. Features include a low gnomon angle, a Mihrab-inspired carved Ω shape showing Qibla (direction to Mecca), and Babylonian/Italian hour lines to help Muslim users determine prayer times (Dhuhur and Maghrib).
Construction Projects, Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout
September 2016
Page 21
Page 21
Informs members that the Italian sundial magazine *Orologi Solari* has released its tenth free online issue, continuing the legacy of earlier Italian gnomonics publications. It states that articles in English are welcome and may be published in both Italian and the original version.
The BSS and Members
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 24
Page 24
Analysis of a modern, east-declining vertical dial mounted on a school wall in Thizay, France, constructed in 2001–2 by pupils. The hour numerals feature artistic images of sailing barges copied from 15th-century graffiti found on nearby church walls, although the gnomon is incorrectly set.
Dials: Unusual, Dials: Vertical
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 28
Page 28
Features photographs of a large horizontal sundial/calendar built in 1995 on Parnidis Dune, Lithuania. The obelisk-style gnomon, originally 12 metres high, was knocked down by a hurricane in 1999. The steps leading up to noon signify hours, equinoxes and solstices.
Dials: Horizontal, Sundial Design & Layout
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 33
Page 33
Provides the complete solution to the challenging crossword puzzle, which was set by John Lester and featured in the previous issue of the Bulletin.
The BSS and Members
September 2016
Page 34
Page 34
Describes the construction of a large, temporary 6x4 metre analemmatic sundial marked out in the sand at Crosby Beach, Liverpool, utilizing one of Antony Gormley’s cast-iron statues as the gnomon. The team had to use satnav and landmarks to establish the meridian due to the lack of sun.
Construction Projects, Dials: Analemmatic, Sundial Design & Layout, The BSS and Members
September 2016
Page 36
Page 36
Report on a study trip to Poland organised by the Astronomical Society in Hradec Králové (Czech Republic), focusing on sundials and gnomonics. Visits included the Przypkowskich Museum, an observatory with programs for blind people, and the Silesian Planetarium which features a large courtyard sundial.
The BSS and Members
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 1
Page 1
The editorial notes the Newbury Meeting report and upcoming articles. It welcomes submissions and wishes readers well for the New Year. It also announces two full-page advertisements and highlights articles concerning Mrs Crowley and BSS Monograph 11, which features astonishing quality photographs of mass dials in Somerset.
Book Reviews, 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 6
Page 6
Details the construction of a giant horizontal sundial and accompanying planet garden. The stainless steel rod gnomon was set at the site's 52.9° latitude. The dial uses mosaic tesserae to mark GMT and BST hours, and incorporates solstice markers and an equinox arch.
Construction Projects, Dials: Horizontal, Sundial Design & Layout
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 18
Page 18
An account of creating a temporary, solar-time horizontal sundial on a South Wales beach for the summer solstice. Natural materials, like sticks for the gnomon and coloured pebbles for the hour lines, were used. Careful calculations were made for alignment and time correction, educating curious passersby.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Horizontal
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 27
Page 27
A guide detailing a method for accurately measuring wall declination, based on a talk at Newbury (2016). It involves using a plumb line, mirror, and white board to determine the exact moment the sun is perpendicular to the wall. The subsequent azimuth is derived easily using the 'Sun Seeker' mobile application.
Dialling Tools, Mathematics of Dialling
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 38
Page 38
Account of the commission and installation of a Forest of Dean sandstone analemmatic sundial at Alleyn’s Junior School. The project was funded by 10-year-old Iris Ferrar, who won a national writing competition and wanted an active piece amalgamating maths and art. Iris subsequently became the sundial tour guide.
Construction Projects, Dials: Analemmatic
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 1
Page 1
This issue has been prepared by the Chairman, Christine Northeast, and Bill Visick. They acknowledge assistance from John Davis, mention the issue is back to normal length, and note that several articles are being held over until June.
The BSS and Members
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 5
Page 5
Details the design and construction of a new elliptical vertical dial crafted from grey Burlington slate for a private commission in Wales.
Dials: Vertical, Sundial Design & Layout, Construction Projects
March 2015
Page 6
Page 6
An investigation into a portable equatorial universal dial manufactured using anodized aluminium alloy, potentially dating from the late 1930s or early 1940s, or perhaps post-1960. Research reveals the involvement of the designer T.H. de Lange (W.G. ten Houte de Lange) and the publishing house Girard et Barrère. The dial's rarity and design anomalies suggest it may be a pre-production prototype run.
Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Portable
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 13
Page 13
An obituary for Michael Maltin, DFC (1920–2014), a retired RAF pilot (Spitfires and Lancasters) and a very early member of the BSS (Membership No. 29). His interests included accurate timekeeping, navigation by the sun, and electrical horology. He actively assisted with gnomonic projects, including determining the meridian for the enormous Woodchester ‘Unicorn’ Dial.
The BSS and Members
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 25
Page 25
Description of the process of designing and constructing a horizontal sundial to be used as a prop in a theatrical production of "The Herbal Bed", set in the garden of Hall’s Croft in 1613. The dial, based on the Hall’s Croft original, was crafted from painted cardboard for the stage set and accurately delineated for the latitude of Brighton.
Dials: Horizontal, DIY Sundial Projects, Mottoes
March 2015
Page 26
Page 26
This entry refers to extracts from the British Sundial Society's accounts for the period covering the changeover from the 'old' Society to the 'new' Society. The full report, prepared by Independent Examiners Ltd., is available to members online or upon application to the Treasurer.
The BSS and Members
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 32
Page 32
A light-hearted challenge featuring a photograph of an emeralds-set-into-platinum ring dial, designed by Ana de Costa with gnomonic guidance from Frank King. Readers are asked to identify two major errors introduced into the image by an excessive use of Photoshop.
Dials: Portable
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 38
Page 38
A description of three contemporary sundials installed in or around St Petersburg in 2014. These include the equatorial 'Time of Master' dial, constructed by multiple blacksmiths and featuring an angel on a spire; the 'Sailing vessel' dial based on the frigate Standart; and the 'Dandelion or nothing is forever' dial, designed by a 12-year-old following a children's competition.
Construction Projects, Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout
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
March 2015
Page 45
Page 45
An article detailing the construction of two prototype horizontal pottery dials using a tent-shaped hollow gnomon with a slot. The design is inspired by the rare 18th-century Langlois dial, using a traversing light strip for time measurement during obscured hours and for seasonal indication relative to a fixed datum point. The dials are deemed successful, despite the material's crudity.
Construction Projects, DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual
March 2015
Page 51
Page 51
An investigation into an incomplete modern sundial/sculpture located in Canvey Island, Essex, found to have unlabelled 'hour' marks. The piece was part of an ambitious 2012 project intended to be a giant 8-metre sculpture resembling a Thames barge mast. It was never fully completed, and its accuracy is questioned, suggesting the need for professional restoration.
Construction Projects, Dials: Unusual
March 2015
Page 52
Page 52
A short piece describing the bronze 800mm armillary sphere made by the author in 2014. The sphere was installed at Dumfries House in Scotland and was unveiled by HM The Queen and HRH Prince Charles during the official opening of the restored Walled Garden.
Construction Projects, Dials: Armillary Sphere
June 2015
Page 1
Page 1
This introduces the issue, noting articles ranging from a medieval quadrant account to reports on the recent Nottingham conference and AGM minutes. It also announces Mike Shaw as the winner of the most enjoyed article poll for 2014.
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 6
Page 6
This details the commissioning and construction of a horizontal stereographic projection dial made of stainless steel for Pierre Holtzhausen in Centurion, Pretoria, South Africa, intended as a teaching instrument.
Construction Projects, Dials: Horizontal, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2015
Page 7
Page 7
This reports on a 24-hour sundial located in Longyearbyen, Svalbard (the northernmost sundial), gaining the distinction of being the most northerly to witness the total solar eclipse on 20 March 2015.
Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Unusual
June 2015
Page 7
Page 7
A photograph of the total solar eclipse of 20 March 2015 is presented, taken from a cruise ship positioned east of the Faroe Islands.
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 17
Page 17
This is a brief note describing a dish decorated with a picture including a sundial. The dish is 160 x 110 mm, numbered on the back, and identified as being made by Lancaster & Sandland of Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent.
Dials: Unusual
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 20
Page 20
An obituary for Mike Groom (d. January 2015, aged 73), an engineer who joined the BSS in the early 1990s after independently calculating sundial trigonometry. He was active in conferences, designed a Jubilee dial, and was a successful dinghy helmsman.
The BSS and Members
June 2015
Page 21
Page 21
Addressing the lack of a date scale on the Chetwode Quadrant, this piece explains a practical method for setting the sliding bead on an horary quadrant string. The user relies on frequent observations around noon to refine the bead's position relative to the noon hour line.
Dialling Tools, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling
June 2015
Page 21
Page 21
A photo and brief note regarding the partial solar eclipse of March 2015, taken from the author's garden in Fife shortly before the maximum occultation.
June 2015
Page 22
Page 22
A biographical account of Anton Schmitz (b. 1926), a German sculptor and master stonemason (Bildhauermeister), who became a POW in England after D-Day. He studied under Heinz Schumacher and later became renowned for making over 100 sundials, specializing in globe dials.
Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Unusual, Construction Projects
June 2015
Page 28
Page 28
The author details his invention proposal from 1978/79 for a unique heliochronometer, which uses a spherical lens (like a Campbell–Stokes recorder) to focus sunlight onto a grid of Fibre Optic Cables (FOCs) that relay the light to a display. The proposed dial was never built.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Heliochronometer, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2015
Page 30
Page 30
Description of an armillary dial commissioned in 2013 to cover an unused well head at a country house in Southern Ireland. It features two identical arcs, 800 mm in diameter, cut from a phosphor bronze slab using a water jet.
Construction Projects, Dials: Armillary Sphere
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
June 2015
Page 45
Page 45
Records the proceedings of the first AGM held under the new Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) constitution on 11 April 2015 in Nottingham. The minutes, accounts, and trustees’ report were accepted, and trustees were re-elected.
The BSS and Members
June 2015
Page 46
Page 46
A report outlining the Society’s activities, including celebrating the Silver Jubilee, improving the website interface (Bridol operational), holding educational workshops at Cheney School, implementing the CIO status change, and acknowledging member participation.
The BSS and Members
June 2015
Page 48
Page 48
Financial statements for the period covering the dissolution of the 'old' Registered Charity and the opening accounts of the 'new' CIO Society, showing that income and expenditure were balanced for the calendar year 2014.
The BSS and Members
September 2015
Page 1
Page 1
Discussion of revised short Check List guidelines for authors, replacing the longer formal guidelines previously published. Notes the continuing welcome for articles on any subject relating to sundials, including short items such as holiday photographs with a line or two of explanation.
September 2015
Page 1
Page 1
A short item reporting that three UK British Sundial Society (BSS) members (Frank King, Doug Bateman, and Jackie Jones) gave talks at the recent North American Sundial Society (NASS) Conference in Canada. Further details regarding the event will be featured in the December Bulletin.
The BSS and Members
September 2015
Page 2
Page 2
Describes the conceptualisation, design, and installation (2011) of a modern equatorial sundial named 'Sundial Herm' at the ancient UNESCO site of Messene, Greece. It details its unique numbering system, artistic philosophy, orientation challenges, and connection to ancient monumental orientations.
Dials: Equatorial, Sundial Design & Layout, Construction Projects
September 2015
Page 7
Page 7
An account of the author's difficult and adventurous attempt to photograph a 40-metre-wide sundial located on the roof of the International Village Shopping Mall in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Few people, including local residents and staff, are aware of the dial's existence.
Dials: Unusual
September 2015
Page 8
Page 8
This article explores the design and function of magnetic azimuth dials, where the compass needle indicates the time. Using historical examples by Nicolas Crucefix and Charles Bloud, it details methods for calibration, dealing with magnetic declination, and construction techniques suitable for portable instruments.
Dialling Tools, Dials: Portable, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling
September 2015
Page 12
Page 12
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 16
Page 16
Obituary for Alan Cook, who died in March 2015. He made a considerable contribution to the Mass Dial Group, notably by compiling the complete Register for Yorkshire, which was published as two monographs by the Society.
Dials: Mass Dials, The BSS and Members
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 30
Page 30
Details the complex design and construction process of a large, conical, declining and reclining sundial made from local Forest of Dean stone for Wallsworth Hall, Gloucester. Describes the challenges of working on an uneven surface and using horizontal dials to establish alignment.
Construction Projects, Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout
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 41
Page 41
Describes a postcard of the vertical sundial (SRN 1625) above the south door of St John the Baptist Church, Pilling, Lancashire, dated 1766. Notes the motto, "Thus Eternity approacheth" and the historical note that the gnomon was missing when recorded in 1992.
Dials: Vertical, Mottoes
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
September 2015
Page 48
Page 48
Identifies an etching on loan to the BSS Library at Bromley House as a depiction of the cubical pillar dial, commonly called the ‘Pelican Dial’, at Corpus Christi College, Oxford. The etching was produced by artist Henry G. Walker (1876–1932).
Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Cube
December 2015
Page 1
Page 1
Discussion of the current issue's mixed content, noting a dominance of Scottish locations, and a reminder to readers to vote for the "most enjoyed article in the four 2015 issues." The result will be announced at the 2016 BSS Conference in Liverpool.
The BSS and Members
December 2015
Page 2
Page 2
Describes the design and construction of a 9–10 foot high tetrahedron-shaped cairn in Perthshire, Scotland, commissioned by David Heathcoat-Amory. It incorporates two declining reclining sundials and aligns its north edge and gnomons with the Earth's axis.
Construction Projects, Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout
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 14
Page 14
A report on the 2015 NASS Conference in Victoria, BC, Canada, which included presentations on gnomonics and sundial tours. The tour featured several dials, including the Orca totem dial and the impressive Ogden Point analemmatic dial.
Dials: Analemmatic, Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Vertical, The BSS and Members
December 2015
Page 18
Page 18
Describes the author's search for an analemmatic sundial near Braşov, Romania, built by British volunteers in 1993. Although wooden posts are gone, the concrete date scale mosaic was found at the Brădet Compound, and the manager intends to restore the dial.
Construction Projects, Dials: Analemmatic, Restoration projects
December 2015
Page 20
Page 20
A short conversational piece reflecting on the motto "Tempus Fugit" (Time Flies), which is seen on clocks and sundials. It notes its rare appearance on a gravestone in Greetwell, Lincolnshire, serving as a reminder to dial recorders.
Mottoes
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 23
Page 23
Announcement that Mike Shaw won the Most Enjoyed Article of 2014 award for his piece on ‘The Eaton Hall Sundial Pillar’. It is noted that the pillar, which had been previously misaligned, was finally corrected.
The BSS and Members
December 2015
Page 24
Page 24
Recounts a guided tour of Seattle dials following the NASS conference, featuring four dials designed by Woody Sullivan. Highlights include an elaborate analemmatic dial in Gas Works Park, a vertical declining dial at UW, and the earliest Seattle dial dating from 1909.
Dials: Analemmatic, Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Vertical, The BSS and Members
December 2015
Page 27
Page 27
Describes the creation of pottery time-keepers shaped like a frog and a toad. These novel, hollow pieces incorporate a ‘Langlois Slot’ or bridge to mark the equinoxes, measuring the passing of approximately two hours on a rough scale.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Unusual
December 2015
Page 28
Page 28
Discusses the construction and layout of horizontal azimuth dials, which use a vertical cylindrical gnomon instead of a polar-aligned one. Various decorative shapes and layouts are explored, noting the complexity of reading the time compared to normal horizontal dials.
Dials: Horizontal, How Sundials Work, Sundial Design & Layout, DIY Sundial Projects
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 37
Page 37
A report on the annual BSS Newbury meeting featuring various talks and exhibits. Highlights include Irene Brightmer’s discovery of a globe dial within a stone sphere, Martin Jenkins' DIY garden projects, and Frank King's demonstration of an umbrella as an astronomical instrument.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Hemispherical, Dials: Unusual, The BSS and Members
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 41
Page 41
Describes the restoration work on the sundial (and accompanying clock) on the Tudor brick tower of St Mary, Barnes. The deteriorating painted dial was replaced with a 2 mm stainless steel plate, traced from the original design, etched, and traditionally painted and gilded.
Dials: Vertical, Restoration projects
December 2015
Page 42
Page 42
Explains how 3D drawing software (Trimble's Sketchup Make) can be used for sundial design and virtual shadowing. Details the process of creating a physical BSS horizontal dial using a laser-etched plastic plate and a 3D printed gnomon from Shapeways.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Horizontal, Sundial Design & Layout
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
December 2015
Page 48
Page 48
Features photographs of sundials encountered during a visit to the clock museum at La Chaux-de-Fonds in Neufchatel. Specific examples shown include an 18th-century cube dial by D. Beringer and 17th and 18th-century pocket dials.
Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Portable
March 2014
Page 1
Page 1
This editorial marks the British Sundial Society's 25th anniversary year and notes the wide range of articles in the Bulletin, spanning prehistory to modern dials. Members are encouraged to research and report on at least one sundial, old or new, in the coming year, leveraging resources like the internet, to ensure the continued breadth of the Bulletin.
The BSS and Members
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 12
Page 12
This contribution reviews the book "Moving Stars Changing Scenes – Gems Of The Ancient Chinese Astronomy Relics", a catalogue of historical Chinese solar instruments. Additionally, it details the design and construction of a stainless steel Noon Mark sundial for the Rotary Club of Whyalla, South Australia (33° 02′ S).
Book Reviews, Construction Projects, DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Noon Lines
March 2014
Page 14
Page 14
This article describes the Solar Chronograph II, a large equinoctial dial sculpture by Grant Calvin at the University of Western Sydney. The user tells time by lining up so their head shadow eclipses the star-shaped nodus, then turns to look at the nodus which brilliantly eclipses the sun. The design is intended as an educational tool promoting passive solar energy management and sustainable building design.
Construction Projects, Dials: Equatorial, How Sundials Work, Sundial Design & Layout
March 2014
Page 17
Page 17
A new analemmatic dial was created in the grounds of the Emmaus Community in Brighton, which supports people moving on from homelessness. Emmaus resident Lee Radford designed the dial, and community members and local schools created the mosaic panels using recycled crockery.
Construction Projects, DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Analemmatic
March 2014
Page 18
Page 18
This piece details two stainless steel and granite sundial projects in Latvia. The Kegums Sundial (56°44' N) is a nodus-based butterfly design, inclined at 40 degrees, which displays winter time and summer savings time. The Marsneni Sundial (57°25' N) is an equatorial dial supported by three stones, using dots for hour notation and incorporating Latvian ethnographic signs.
Construction Projects, Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout
March 2014
Page 21
Page 21
The author designed a vertical, direct south-facing sundial made of unpolished black marble for his new home in Northern Ireland. The dial uses a horizontal gnomon rod, and the length of the shadow cast at noon indicates the eight traditional calendric events that divide the year, such as the solstices and equinoxes, marked by Neolithic spiral motifs.
Construction Projects, Dials: Vertical, Sundial Design & Layout
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 25
Page 25
Christopher Daniel, President and past Chairman of the British Sundial Society, was formally presented with his MBE by Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace on 19 December 2013.
The BSS and Members
March 2014
Page 26
Page 26
This article describes the author's construction of a brass and stainless steel sun clock based on principles defined by Sir Alan Patrick Herbert. The instrument features two dials (World and outer) and enables precise adjustments for latitude, longitude, and Equation of Time.
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 1
Page 1
This editorial introduces the special issue focusing on ‘decoration on sundials’ to celebrate the British Sundial Society’s 25th anniversary. It notes the intention to focus on the combination of arts and sciences in dials, concentrating particularly on decorative elements and banning complex equations.
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 16
Page 16
Profiles John Carmichael, detailing his career shift from horticulture to becoming a leading sundial maker in Tucson. It describes his primary design using a stranded cable gnomon, his use of modern software for complex dials (like heliochronometers), and his artistic stained glass dials and durable vitreous enamel finishes.
Construction Projects, Dials: Heliochronometer, Dials: Vertical, Sundial Design & Layout
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 22
Page 22
A sculptor reflects on the aesthetic and poetic aspects of sundials, seeing his work as ‘painting with light’. He details several sculptural commissions, including a combined horizontal and equatorial dial with a glass centre, the Scottish Enlightenment lectern dial, and the Robert Burns sculptural sundial.
Construction Projects, Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Vertical, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2014
Page 28
Page 28
Showcases sundials produced by the Cardozo Kindersley Workshop, focusing on decorative elements like sunbursts at the gnomon root and specialized lettering techniques. Examples include a dial in blue frosted glass and a pair of SE/SW dials using platinum leaf for the furniture.
Construction Projects, Mottoes, 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 35
Page 35
Discusses lettering as a crucial abstract and sculptural element on sundials, emphasizing the importance of space, pattern, and texture over purely literal meaning. The article explores techniques like V-incising, raised letters, anagrams, and double texts to enhance the visual and conceptual structure of the inscriptions.
Mottoes, Sundial Design & Layout
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 40
Page 40
Details the process of creating contemporary silver portable sundials, combining jewellery techniques with accurate gnomonics. The article describes various forms—polar, necklace, and box dials—and unique methods used to achieve decorative surface finishes, such as using sandpaper or wire wool in rolling mills.
Construction Projects, DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Portable, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2014
Page 43
Page 43
Images and descriptions of two decorated vertical dials are included.
Dials: Vertical, Dials: Unusual
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 1
Page 1
Discussion of the winner of the Most Enjoyed Article award for 2013 (Dennis Cowan) and plans for future issues, including articles held over from the June issue and items from the Greenwich Conference.
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 9
Page 9
Describes an analemmatic sundial professionally installed in 2013 in Hill Street, Newry, Northern Ireland, featuring twin rings for GMT and BST, designed by Modern Sun-clocks.
Construction Projects, Dials: Analemmatic
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 13
Page 13
An anecdote about being commissioned in 1980 to delineate a horizontal sundial plate, constructed by silversmith Brian Asquith, as a surprise 80th birthday gift for Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, followed by the author's humorous reflection on declining a suggested installation date.
Dials: Horizontal, The BSS and Members
September 2014
Page 14
Page 14
Discusses several unique sundials in Central Australia, including a large bronze armillary sphere made for artist Pro Hart, featuring an attached 400mm bronze ant, and 'Angels of Sun and Moon', a large sculpture at The Living Desert, Broken Hill, which also functions as a sundial and lunar dial.
Construction Projects, Dials: Armillary Sphere, Dials: Unusual, How Sundials Work
September 2014
Page 17
Page 17
Describes efforts to promote the British Sundial Society at the annual meeting of south-east astronomy societies at the Chichester Planetarium, featuring talks by members (Doug Bateman on the Greenwich time ball) and a display of dials and books.
The BSS and Members
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 23
Page 23
A short note describing a horizontal sundial in Rethymnon, Crete, with a low gnomon angle and Greek lettering, where a local gentleman was seen checking his watch against the dial.
Dials: Horizontal
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 28
Page 28
Describes a vertical declining sundial, the Gateway Sundial in Gloucestershire, based on a 17th-century design. It was made by Judith Verity from green Westmoreland slate with gilded incised lines and a brass gnomon.
Construction Projects, Dials: Vertical
September 2014
Page 29
Page 29
A review of 'A Study of the Quadrant' by Mike Cowham (2014). The monograph is highly recommended, covering the many types and functions of quadrants, including timekeeping, setting out hour-angle dials, and solving trigonometrical problems, all explained with clarity.
Book Reviews, Dialling Tools, Mathematics of Dialling
September 2014
Page 30
Page 30
An intellectual exercise detailing the design considerations for a fixed calendar dial installed on the Moon. Due to the slow solar motion (180° in 15 days), the dial would calibrate the scale in terrestrial days (15–0) remaining until solar culmination or sunset, best constructed from readily available lightweight materials like cardboard.
Construction Projects, Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout
September 2014
Page 33
Page 33
Describes a DIY sundial project using an ordinary watering can hung on a south-facing wall. The angle of the can's spout was found to match the co-latitude of the London house, allowing the spout to serve as the gnomon when properly supported.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Unusual, Dials: Vertical
September 2014
Page 34
Page 34
A detailed report on the 25th Anniversary Conference held at the University of Greenwich, covering presentations on topics such as extreme ring dials, Australian sundials, Robert Jole's dial, the Eaton Hall pillar, the Greenwich Time Ball, and a guided tour of the Royal Observatory.
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
September 2014
Page 45
Page 45
Report on the special 25th anniversary photographic competition, where results were determined solely by a conference vote by participating members. Mike Shaw won first and third place with 'Chicago Sunset' and 'Frozen in Time,' while Rainer Jacob came second.
The BSS and Members
September 2014
Page 48
Page 48
Describes the large bronze Bath Armillary sphere unveiled in July 2014 as a memorial to Admiral Arthur Phillip, founder of modern Australia. The sphere shows the time in Bath and Sydney and tracks the historic path of the First Fleet.
Construction Projects, Dials: Armillary Sphere
December 2014
Page 1
Page 1
This section discusses the necessity of having three members (the Chairman, Bill Visick, and Christine Northeast) hold the fort due to the regular editor suffering significant health problems. It recognizes John Davis’s past contributions to expanding and improving the Bulletin. The Trustees are currently considering how best to distribute the editorial workload going forward.
The BSS and Members
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 8
Page 8
An account of sundials found in and around Campinas, Brazil, specifically mentioning the Observatorio Municipal de Campinas, founded by Jean Nicolini. The observatory site holds three dials (horizontal, vertical, and equatorial), though their condition varies. Other documented dials include one in Parque Taquaral (1962) and two at the Americana Observatory.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Vertical, Dials: Equatorial
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 19
Page 19
The author shares an inspiring anecdote about a young boy named Stephen who made a Plasticine dial. In response, a personalized phosphor bronze dial was made for him, which in turn encouraged Stephen's father to create his own digital MDF dial. This illustrates how new diallists can be cultivated from small, genuine sparks of interest.
DIY Sundial Projects, The BSS and Members
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 26
Page 26
This is a story of a sundial commission which started out full of promise, but has ended up as a sundial which has never had a chance to tell the time, and which now never sees the sun.
Dials: Horizontal, Sundial Design & Layout, Construction Projects
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 1
Page 1
An introductory note encouraging readers to contribute articles on modern sundials and new designs, while reflecting on the value of historical dial studies and member participation in the Bulletin.
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 14
Page 14
A tribute to Phil Rogers, recalling his long-standing interest in sundials, his work within the British Sundial Society, and his contributions to dialling scholarship.
Obituaries, The BSS and Members
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 18
Page 18
A light-hearted illustrated collection of sundials decorated with floral motifs. The article shares examples and stories from various gardens and public places where plants and flowers form part of the dial design.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual, Mottoes
March 2013
Page 19
Page 19
A short report on the BSS presence at a school science fair, describing the public response, educational displays, and promotion of sundial science to younger audiences.
How Sundials Work, The BSS and Members
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 23
Page 23
A technical and historical description of the patented ‘Singleton’ helical sundial. The article explains its geometry, manufacture, and later examples exhibited and sold in Britain.
Dials: Heliochronometer, Dials: Unusual, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
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 33
Page 33
A short notice announcing that Frank King has received the Sawyer Prize for contributions to dialling. It summarises his achievements and ongoing work for the Society.
The BSS and Members
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 37
Page 37
A technical description of a complex slate sundial featuring a rotatable star-shaped disc engraved with worldwide place names. The author explains its design, restoration, and probable use.
Dialling Tools, Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual
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
March 2013
Page 46
Page 46
A travel article recounting visits to sundials in Montreal and Toronto, including modern designs and meetings with Canadian sundial enthusiasts.
Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Unusual, The BSS and Members
March 2013
Page 48
Page 48
A discussion of an experimental holographic sundial design first described in 1990. The article explains how holography can replace the traditional gnomon and analyses its optical accuracy.
Dials: Unusual, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2013
Page 1
Page 1
An introduction noting the results of the 2012 Most Enjoyed Article Award, discussion of member contributions, and the editor’s reflections on the diversity of topics and reader engagement in the Bulletin.
The BSS and Members
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 10
Page 10
A short illustrated feature on a postcard depicting a multifaceted sundial at a French château, discussing its design features, historical background, and a humorous note about an inverted gnomon.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Vertical
June 2013
Page 11
Page 11
A collection of correspondence from members discussing topics such as the BSS library, dial design conventions, and Society matters.
The BSS and Members
June 2013
Page 12
Page 12
An artistic proposal for a monumental sundial inspired by *Romeo and Juliet*, designed for Stratford-upon-Avon. The article describes its symbolism, geometry, and design for public installation.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Vertical, Sundial Design & Layout, The BSS and Members
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 18
Page 18
A personal account of designing and constructing a mean-time garden sundial capable of reading clock time directly. The author explains the concept, geometry, and testing of his heliochronometer.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Heliochronometer, Dials: Horizontal, Mathematics of Dialling
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 28
Page 28
The official minutes of the 24th Annual General Meeting of the British Sundial Society, summarising reports, elections, and member discussions.
The BSS and Members
June 2013
Page 30
Page 30
A summary of the Society’s annual financial accounts, including income, expenditure, and membership statistics.
The BSS and Members
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
June 2013
Page 52
Page 52
A report on the 2013 BSS Conference in Edinburgh, covering talks, site visits, and the social and scholarly activities of Society members.
The BSS and Members
September 2013
Page 1
Page 1
Announcement and congratulation for Christopher Daniel, President of the BSS, on being awarded the MBE for services to timekeeping and sundials. The award was noted by the press, highlighting the importance of his work in dialling.
The BSS and Members
September 2013
Page 2
Page 2
Detailed account of designing and constructing a five-metre tall hexagonal obelisk for Buscot Park to celebrate Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee. It features seven dials on six slate faces, adjusted for the equation of time and longitudinal displacement, reading GMT, and incorporating Egyptian hieroglyphs.
Construction Projects, Dials: Multi Faced, Sundial Design & Layout
September 2013
Page 5
Page 5
Report on Peter Kunath winning the award for his article on the Henry Moore sundial. He received a certificate and a reproduction astrolabe, which proved useful as he had been asked to explain the operation of a c. 1400 astrolabe at the Cologne City Museum.
Dials: Astrolabe, The BSS and Members
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 15
Page 15
Response regarding the accuracy of garden sundials, stating that a correctly designed dial can display Solar Time to within one minute. The author argues that sundials should be trusted to tell their own accurate time, rather than attempting to match modern radio-controlled watches.
Equation of Time, How Sundials Work
September 2013
Page 16
Page 16
Account of securing Listed Building Consent for a painted noon-mark on the historic Faversham Guildhall, celebrating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. The design features a gilded meridian line and a nodus on a gilded sun image, which projects a light spot to indicate the instant of Local Apparent Noon.
Construction Projects, Dials: Noon Lines, Dials: Vertical, Sundial Design & Layout
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 20
Page 20
Review of the BSS Photographic Competition 2012–13, detailing the scoring changes and normalization process used for judging. Elzbieta Niedbalka won first place with ‘Sunny bird feeder’, Mike Shaw was second, and Mike Cowham took third place.
The BSS and Members
September 2013
Page 24
Page 24
Introduction to Tangrams, an ancient Chinese puzzle game originating in the Song Dynasty (960-1279), involving seven geometric pieces derived from a square dissection. The article relates this puzzle to dialling illustrations, depicting figures formed from Tangram sets observing a sundial.
Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout
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 29
Page 29
Description of a nice precision portable equatorial dial, circa 1880, by T.W. Watson. It is designed for use in both hemispheres and includes specialized chapter ring and compass card layouts, featuring both an Equation of Time chart and a separate map of Isogonic Lines for 1877 for precise time setting.
Dialling Tools, Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Portable, Equation of Time
September 2013
Page 32
Page 32
An exposition on the history and components of the astrolabe, including its two faces (sighting bar/calendar and matrix/rete/plates). The article details a geometric construction method using rule and compasses to lay out the template for the rete and the individual plates via stereographic projection.
Dialling Tools, Dials: Astrolabe, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling
September 2013
Page 36
Page 36
Showcase of several new sundials recently built in Russia (2012–2013). Examples include the maritime-themed ‘Sail and Seagulls’ in Tuapse, the ‘Leopold Cat’ dial designed for fishing enthusiasts in Kareliya, and the ‘Solar Flower’ in Toksovo, themed around cultivation.
Construction Projects, Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual
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
September 2013
Page 48
Page 48
Report on the installation of a reproduction horizontal dial at Barrington Court, Somerset, commissioned by the National Trust. The new dial, created by Flowton Dials, replaces an early-19th-century horizontal dial by Cary of London that had been stolen. It is signed “After CARY, LONDON”.
Construction Projects, Dials: Horizontal, Restoration projects
December 2013
Page 1
Page 1
This editorial encourages readers to vote for their 'Most Enjoyed Article' from the four 2013 issues, noting that the last year's competition was won by a single vote. It announces this as a 'bumper Christmas issue'.
The BSS and Members
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 8
Page 8
Describes the design and construction of a unique sculpture/sundial combining the figure of the Japanese Sun Goddess, Amaterasu, using her raised leg as the gnomon. The author details the materials used (cement/bronze effect, gold leaf), challenges faced in construction, and the astronomical details included on the plinth.
Construction Projects, DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Unusual, Equation of Time
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 14
Page 14
Describes a simple, elegant horizontal sundial designed by Edwin Russell, produced by Brookbrae in a limited edition of 500. The cast dial-plate is gunmetal, with etched 'engraving' for GMT and BST, neglecting the EoT and longitude.
Dials: Horizontal, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2013
Page 15
Page 15
An obituary for Peter Drinkwater (1947–2013), author of *The Art of Sundial Construction* (1985). He was an eccentric, self-taught author, artist, and diallist who studied classical works at the Bodleian Library.
The BSS and Members
December 2013
Page 16
Page 16
An account of a guided trip to London sundials, visiting the noon mark dial in Paternoster Square, a horizontal dial at Amen Court (attributed to Wren), the polar dial by Piers Nicholson, dials at Cheapside and St Katherine Cree, and the large horizontal dial over Tower Hill Underground Station.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Polar, Dials: Vertical, The BSS and Members
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 31
Page 31
Describes a decorative, indoor ceramic sundial made by children of Tipton St John Church of England Primary School, given to Janet Jenkins. The headteacher designed the dial, and the children created the garden creatures around the edge.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Unusual
December 2013
Page 32
Page 32
An appreciation of the late sculptor Edwin Russell (1939–2013), Fellow of the Royal Society of British Sculptors and Artistic Director of Brookbrae Ltd. It highlights his collaborations, notably the Dolphin Sundial in Greenwich (1978), and his dedication to perfection, inspiring his student Joanna Migdal.
Sundial Design & Layout, The BSS and Members, Dials: Armillary Sphere
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 40
Page 40
Discusses the controversial practice of reworking or re-cutting old mass dials. The British Sundial Society's policy is against restoration, suggesting a copy dial be carved nearby instead. Examples of reworked dials at Crewkerne, Lamas, and Martyr Worthy are provided.
Dials: Mass Dials, Restoration projects, The BSS and Members
December 2013
Page 42
Page 42
Report on the BSS Newbury meeting held on the autumn equinox. Talks included the Sundials of Eaton Hall, the Horniman Museum trail, the Zutphen Quadrant, and construction projects like David Brown's M-29 double horizontal dial and Mike Lee's Sun Clock.
Construction Projects, Dials: Double Horizontal, Dials: Heliochronometer, The BSS and Members
December 2013
Page 44
Page 44
Presents two additional examples of Edwin Russell’s work: the ‘botanical’ armillary sphere at Kew Gardens (engraving by Joanna Migdal), and a horizontal dial featuring a cricketer gnomon on the Green at Holyport (delineated by Joanna Migdal).
Dials: Armillary Sphere, Dials: Horizontal, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2013
Page 45
Page 45
Details the author's development of ornamental, fretted, and pierced gnomons, noting his unofficial trade mark—a spur on the heel of the front 'foot'. He describes techniques using a clockmaker's fretsaw, Thiel filing machine, and flexible-shaft machine, often featuring interlaced initials.
Construction Projects, DIY Sundial Projects, Dialling Tools, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2013
Page 50
Page 50
Provides personal insights and updates on the Singleton helical sundial, nicknamed ‘Druid’ (Daytime Readout Universal Imaging Device). It details the patented innovations, including the spiral dial structure and 'three bar' numerals, culminating in the fully funded installation at Highclere Castle in 2013.
Construction Projects, Dials: Unusual, Equation of Time, Sundial Design & Layout
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 7
Page 7
This article describes a new 70 cm diameter stainless steel spherical dial by David Harber, unveiled at Balliol College, Oxford. It celebrates the thirtieth anniversary of women's admission to Balliol and includes features like calendar bands, tropic lines, and moon-dial scales.
Dials: Unusual, Construction Projects, Mottoes
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 23
Page 23
The author describes "La Meridiana," a house in Italy designed with a sundial as its stair tower. This indoor sundial uses projections and reflections onto north, west, and east walls, and the ceiling, to show time and date. The article highlights the mathematics, design, and extensive calibration process.
Construction Projects, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
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 34
Page 34
This section contains three book reviews: "The Bagnold Sun-Compass: History and Utilization" by Kuno Gross, "Essex Sundials" by Peter Meadows, and "A Dial in your Poke: A Book of Portable Sundials" by Mike Cowham, offering insights into each publication.
Book Reviews
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 38
Page 38
This short piece describes a tradition of local people climbing an artificial hill to view the Silver-link Park sundial at midnight on New Year's Eve to watch firework displays, highlighting a unique, non-gnomonic interaction with the sundial.
The BSS and Members
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 1
Page 1
This editorial discusses feedback from a recent membership survey regarding the Bulletin. It addresses contradictory comments on article topics and tone, highlights a consensus for more design and construction articles, and touches on ideas for a beginners' series, sundial trails, and the ongoing debate about a digital version of the Bulletin.
The BSS and Members
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 16
Page 16
This article reports on the first Russian children's competition for sundial drawings held in Siversky, near St Petersburg, in late 2011. Seventeen children aged 9-13 participated, creating simplistic but impressive designs. The winner, Shimolina Irina, designed 'Pushkins', which is hoped to be built in Spring 2012.
DIY Sundial Projects
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 20
Page 20
This article discusses the role of sundials in the GCSE Astronomy qualification as an introduction to 'sun time' versus 'clock time', the Equation of Time, and longitude effects. It highlights two popular Controlled Assessment tasks: using a shadow stick to determine local noon and longitude, and comparing sundial time with local mean time to assess accuracy.
How Sundials Work, Equation of Time
June 2012
Page 21
Page 21
Don Rogerson of Red Oak, Iowa (USA) designs sundials using standard Lego bricks. This entry briefly describes an example: a 'Large Equatorial' dial constructed from 1x4 bricks and a 1x2 hinge plate, with grey and white blocks designating hours. Rogerson hopes to interest Lego in producing special sundial sets.
Construction Projects, DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Equatorial
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 24
Page 24
This entry briefly describes a working Butterfield dial made from components of a Pocket Meccano set. It was created as a challenge for Noel Ta' Bois while he was in hospital and is now held by the BSS.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Portable
June 2012
Page 25
Page 25
This entry presents the minutes from the British Sundial Society's 23rd Annual General Meeting held in Cheltenham.
The BSS and Members
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 34
Page 34
This article describes a custom-designed 'garden' sundial commissioned as a 40th birthday gift for Campbell Forsyth of Faversham. It is an inclining horizontal dial for latitude 40°N, tilted 11.5° southwards, with a unique gilded 'box' feature that indicates the exact date and time (8 December, 12 noon) on his birthday. The dial is a work of scientific art by Ben Jones, with a pedestal by Clive Sherwood.
Construction Projects, Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout
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 43
Page 43
This short entry presents another equatorial sundial designed by Don Rogerson using Lego bricks. It is built around a 1x4x5 arch brick, with central blue bricks marking noon and outer bricks indicating 6am and 6pm solar time, resembling the BSS logo.
Construction Projects, DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Equatorial
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 46
Page 46
This section contains three letters from readers. Peter Drinkwater discusses a Canterbury pendant, questioning Arnaldi’s gnomon positions. Frank Coe references a Chichester Sun Compass. Sue Manston points out a potential error in the 'waxing' and 'waning' engravings on the Balliol Moondial's gnomon, to which David Harber responds confirming the mistake.
Dials: Portable, Dials: Unusual
June 2012
Page 47
Page 47
This is a review of Alan Cook’s 'Addendum to Mass Dials on Yorkshire Churches' (BSS Monograph 9), an extension of a previous publication cataloguing mass dials in Yorkshire. The monograph provides scaled drawings and descriptions of dials across the county, completing a comprehensive survey and serving as a must-read for those interested in these intriguing dials.
Book Reviews, Dials: Mass Dials
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
June 2012
Page 52
Page 52
This article describes a stainless steel sundial at the Nano Nagle Centre in Ballygriffin, Ireland, which is the final 'station' of a 'cosmic walk'. Designed by Jonathan Mason, it features a 3.2-meter high gnomon with a central slit, a 200mm noon gap, and a prism for season indication. It also includes the world represented by a ringed globe and forty clasped hands symbolising intergenerational links.
Construction Projects, Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout
September 2012
Page 1
Page 1
The editor explains the shortage of material for this issue, so that several articles have been written by the editor. He encourages members to contribute various content, from short pieces to full-blown research studies. This issue features further articles about polyhedral dials.
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 7
Page 7
This article describes a unique noon dial with an analemma at Rovaniemi Airport, Finland, designed by Professor Emeritus Lauri Anttila in 2000. An angled mirror in the roof casts sunlight onto the floor to indicate months, with the design assuming passengers are aware of time zone differences.
Construction Projects, Dials: Analemmatic, Dials: Noon Lines, Sundial Design & Layout
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 15
Page 15
This brief piece draws attention to an unusual application of a sundial's gnomon in Airanne, Somme, France, where it appears to be providing minimal support to a scaffold tower. The author expresses hope for the sundial's survival following this unconventional use.
Dials: Unusual
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 18
Page 18
This entry refers to a group photograph taken during the British Sundial Society conference held in Cheltenham in 2012.
The BSS and Members
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 20
Page 20
This article describes the planispheric nocturnal, an instrument for telling time at night by aligning a rotating star chart with actual stars. It functions as an alternative to a traditional nocturnal and can be found on the reverse of some quadrants, offering timekeeping to within 15 minutes without requiring Equation of Time correction.
Dialling Tools, How Sundials Work, Dials: Nocturnals
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 26
Page 26
This section introduces several recent sundial projects, including an Olympic sundial by David Brown (an analemmatic dial), a vertical school science centre dial featuring periodic table elements, and the Angel with Sundial at Talaton church by Harriet James, inspired by Chartres Cathedral.
Dials: Vertical, Dials: Analemmatic, Sundial Design & Layout, Construction Projects
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 33
Page 33
This article highlights the sundial works of pop artist Gerald Laing, known for at least four large sculptural pieces. These include two Scottish obelisk sundials, a 37ft market cross in Inverness, and "Axis Mundi" in Edinburgh, often featuring complex gnomonics and graphical representations of the Equation of Time.
Dials: Multi Faced, Sundial Design & Layout, Equation of Time, Dials: Scaphe
September 2012
Page 34
Page 34
An obituary for Peter Hingley (1951-2012), the RAS Librarian, who played a quiet but influential role in the British Sundial Society's affiliation with the Royal Astronomical Society. He was recognised for his knowledge of antiquarian astronomy and gnomonics, and his absence will be felt at Council meetings.
The BSS and Members
September 2012
Page 35
Page 35
This article discusses sundials designed purely for decorative or ornamental purposes, rather than for time-telling. Examples include two identical large gnomon dials at Barnsley and Ablington Manor, colourful tile dials from the Mediterranean, and an expensive, unfinished replica of a Thomas Tompion double horizontal dial at Hampton Court.
Dials: Vertical, Dials: Unusual, Dials: Double Horizontal
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 41
Page 41
This article presents an architectural study for a solar dome, "Mosque of the Sun II: Crown of Doha" designed to align with the sun for prayer times and celestial events. It uses digital modeling and 3D printing, with the dome's solar orientation differing from the Mecca-aligned prayer room, allowing light to create a clock/calendar on the floor.
Dials: Unusual, How Sundials Work, Sundial Design & Layout, Construction Projects
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
September 2012
Page 45
Page 45
This entry describes a sundial exhibition held from June to September 2012 in the Turrill Sculpture Garden, Summertown, Oxford. It features 11 dials by BSS members, including David Harber's bronze dial and armillary sphere, Chris Lusby Taylor's sculptural "Undial" and "From Sunrise to Sunset" dials, and a cube dial by Harriet James.
Dials: Unusual, The BSS and Members, Dials: Cube, Dials: Armillary Sphere
September 2012
Page 46
Page 46
This article provides an update on an equatorial sundial design with Equation of Time adjustment, originally published in 2009. The Mk.2 version incorporates improvements for public use, focusing on weather protection, increased strength, and enhanced vandal resistance, developed in response to the Austrian Sundial Society's plans to install a version.
Dials: Equatorial, Construction Projects, Equation of Time
December 2012
Page 1
Page 1
This section discusses the British Sundial Society's new Most Enjoyed Article Award encouraging members to vote for their favourite articles from Volume 24. The award aims to recognise authors, inspire new contributors, and guide the editor in tailoring future issues to readership preferences. It underscores the importance of member engagement in shaping the Bulletin's content.
The BSS and Members
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 11
Page 11
This section features two letters: Michael Lowne corrects a misconception regarding the alignment of the Plough's pointer stars with the pole star for planispheric nocturnals, impacting time readings. Steven Woodbury provides observations and a solution for the Dutch Polyhedral Dial drawing, noting its equatorial and polar dials and non-latitude specificity.
Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Nocturnals
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 15
Page 15
This section showcases several contemporary sundials, including a Corian® vertical dial in Pocklington by Stephen Holehan, based on an 1854 design. It also highlights analemmatic dials by Douglas Hunt's Modern Sunclocks for public sites and playgrounds, and a tile-based dial from High Peak Community Arts in Ston, Croatia.
Construction Projects, Dials: Analemmatic, Dials: Vertical, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2012
Page 16
Page 16
This article describes a fused glass noon dial by Adele Christensen for a Gloucestershire client, indicating 12:00 BST on Midsummer's Day via a narrow slit of sunlight. The author also notes a similar Millennium design, the Lockinge Ring by David Harber in Oxfordshire, which uses a mirror for true noon.
Construction Projects, Dials: Noon Lines, Dials: Reflected, 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 20
Page 20
This article investigates the cross-shaped reflections from double-glazed windows, attributing them to the concavity of the glass panes. Optical analysis reveals radial slope profiles and contour maps, showing a central depression. The phenomenon is likely caused by a partial vacuum inside the units, bending the glass inwards, forming distinct V-shaped patterns on narrow windows.
Dials: Reflected, How Sundials Work
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 28
Page 28
This report summarises the BSS Newbury Meeting, covering presentations on John Davis's "Mystery Welsh Sundial," Doug Bateman's "Romeo & Juliet Sundial," Kevin Karney's "Getting the Numbers Right" on dial layouts, and John Foad's project to put BSS Register dials online.
How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout, The BSS and Members
December 2012
Page 30
Page 30
This article details the construction of a large garden sundial at Chestnut Cottage, Essex, by Richard and Judy Cecil. It covers civil engineering aspects, from site surveys and drainage to concrete work, and the precise setting out of hour lines and the stainless steel gnomon, incorporating a polar version of the equation of time.
Sundial Design & Layout, Construction Projects, Equation of Time, DIY Sundial Projects
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
The article discusses helical sundials, particularly one made by Aylmer Astbury. These are a form of equatorial dial, with a brass strip helix marking hours via small holes or a terminator shadow. They can be adjusted for longitude and Equation of Time by rotating the helix on its axis, as explained in a 1992 Bulletin article.
Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Unusual, How Sundials Work, Sundial Design & Layout
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
December 2012
Page 42
Page 42
This article addresses methods for securely fixing sundials, focusing on preventing theft and damage. It discusses replacing rusted iron gnomons with stainless steel, using shaped stone blocks with acrylic paste, and cross-bolting for heavy gnomons. For dial plates, methods include recessing them into plinths and using threaded holes with retaining bolts.
Construction Projects, Restoration projects, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2012
Page 46
Page 46
The author recounts creating a limestone sundial for a customer near Moscow, inspired by John Tenniel's illustration for Lewis Carroll's Jabberwocky. The dial, one English foot in diameter, measures local time and GMT + 4, and includes a scale for true solar time on the meridian of Lewis Carroll’s birthplace.
Construction Projects, Dials: Horizontal, Mottoes
December 2012
Page 47
Page 47
This article details the 2012 reconstruction of the Meridies Media noon mark mean time sundial at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich. Originally designed by Dr Tadeusz Przypkowski in 1967 with a design error, the new Kirkstone slate dial, carved by Ben Jones, was meticulously crafted and unveiled on 10 October 2012.
Restoration projects, The BSS and Members, Dials: Noon Lines
March 2011
Page 1
Page 1
A theme in this issue is polyhedral dials. There are examples of both portable and monumental dials as well as help in making them. This issue also sees the introduction of some portraits and short biographies of the authors.
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 11
Page 11
The author explores methods for accurately dividing sundial scales without modern dividing engines. He proposes a compact, semi-mechanical system using pivot pins and a straightedge, designed to fit on a bench, and notes its superiority over Ramsden's engine in terms of user comfort.
Construction Projects, Dialling Tools, Sundial Design & Layout
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 16
Page 16
This article provides instructions for making a simple, fun, and versatile horizontal sundial for educational purposes, particularly for young people. It explains how to determine the meridian line, layout the base, and incorporate an Equation of Time table for accurate civil time.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Horizontal, Equation of Time, Sundial Design & Layout
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 18
Page 18
This second part details observations and calculations to determine Earth's orbit eccentricity using a sundial. It applies Ptolemy's geometrical model and an algebraic approach based on the Equation of Time, finding surprisingly accurate results despite the sensitivity of initial conditions.
Equation of Time, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling
March 2011
Page 20
Page 20
This section contains reviews of several books related to sundials and timekeeping, including 'Sundials in Museums of the British Isles' by Butson, Wilson & Wood, 'Tempus et Regula: orologi solari medievali Italiani' by Mario Arnaldi, and 'Cadrans Solaires de Bretagne' by J-P Cornec & P Labat-Segalen.
Book Reviews
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 32
Page 32
This article details the construction and placement of four horizontal sundials in Greek schoolyards between 1995 and 2008. It highlights student involvement, the evolution of precision in Equation of Time corrections, and the use of modern technology in their design and carving.
Dials: Horizontal, Construction Projects, Equation of Time, DIY Sundial Projects
March 2011
Page 34
Page 34
This article describes the creation of a motorised sun simulator for a museum exhibition, designed to demonstrate how sundials work by speeding up daylight duration. It features three lights for different seasons and allows visitors to test card sundial kits.
Construction Projects, Dialling Tools, How Sundials Work
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 43
Page 43
This article explores how artistic objectives and geographical latitude impose limits on sundial design. It provides examples like an 'Arrow of Time' dial and an 'Apple Tree' dial, illustrating how proportions and realism are affected by latitude, and introduces a 'geographically modified' armillary octahedron.
How Sundials Work, Sundial Design & Layout
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 1
Page 1
The editorial discusses the popularity of the previous themed Bulletin on polyhedral dials and plans for future themed issues, acknowledging the difficulty in organising them. It also mentions the delay of the conference report to the September issue to allow for article variety.
The BSS and Members
June 2011
Page 2
Page 2
This article explores the rainbow as an alternative solar timekeeping phenomenon, discussing its complex optical properties, formation of primary and secondary bows, and the dispersion of light into colours. It also describes a rainbow dial instrument for time determination.
Dials: Unusual, How Sundials Work, 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 27
Page 27
This entry summarises the proceedings of the BSS 22nd Annual General Meeting, including the Chairman's remarks, approval of previous minutes, council member reports (Secretary, Editor, Register, Mass Dial Group, Advertising, Safaris, Treasurer, Membership, Competitions), election of new officers, and post-AGM discussions.
The BSS and Members
June 2011
Page 28
Page 28
This section provides a summary of the British Sundial Society's accounts for 2010, indicating an underlying decline in funds due to low interest rates and falling membership, necessitating a future increase in subscription rates.
The BSS and Members
June 2011
Page 33
Page 33
This article reports on the 2010 Photographic Competition, detailing the judging process, the unprecedented triple win by Mike Cowham, and the top ten entries. It also announces the shift to a biennial competition schedule to encourage more participation.
The BSS and Members
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 44
Page 44
This article details the design and construction of a stained glass sundial featuring a novel magnetic gnomon, shaped like a frog, which attaches without drilling, soldering, or gluing. It explains the experimental process of developing this damage-resistant magnetic attachment.
Dials: Vertical, Sundial Design & Layout, Construction Projects, Dials: Stained Glass
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 1
Page 1
This issue contains the report of our highly successful annual conference at Wyboston Lakes. That nearly 20% of the membership managed to attend must reflect highly on the keenness of our members – and the reputation of the event – especially when a significant number live overseas. The issue, together with the June one, presents written versions of some of the papers presented during the weekend.
The BSS and Members
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 7
Page 7
This review covers 'The Ancient Sundials of Scotland' by Dennis Cowan, describing it as a beautiful picture book illustrating Scottish dials like Obelisk, Lectern, Multi-faceted, Mercat Cross, Globe, Church, and House Dials. The book highlights Scotland's unique 17th & 18th-century dial traditions, influenced by the Calvinist world and the Netherlands.
September 2011
Page 8
Page 8
This article details the results of the British Sundial Society's 2010-11 Photographic Competition's 'Conference Vote' segment. Delegates at the Wyboston Lakes conference had the opportunity to vote for their favourite photographs, with Dennis Cowan's 'Sail into the sun' winning, and Dariusz Oczki's 'It’s not fair, he always gets more sun' coming in second.
The BSS and Members
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 27
Page 27
This piece announces an exhibition in Moedling, Austria, from September 2011 to February 2012, focusing on time and sundials. The exhibition features models of sundials from Johannes Gaupp's 'Gnomonica Mechanica Universalis' (1665-1738), symbolistic pictures by Ernst Steiner, and documentation of wall sundials in Moedling.
Dials: Vertical, Dials: Unusual
September 2011
Page 27
Page 27
This report highlights a successful gnomonical science studies programme by the Nature Club of Pakistan in Lahore and Faisalabad schools with support from the BSS.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Equatorial, How Sundials Work, DIY Sundial Projects, The BSS and Members
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 34
Page 34
William Watson describes a new instrument for finding a meridian line to aid in sundial making, using two tubes aligned with Polaris and Capella. Michael Lowne comments on the necessity of accounting for Polaris's displacement from the true pole and the stars' right ascension difference for correct alignment, noting potential inaccuracies in Watson's original design and challenges in its use.
How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling, Dialling Tools
September 2011
Page 35
Page 35
Aleksandr Boldyrev describes the creation of an equatorial sundial for the Rosarium of Sokolniky Park in Moscow. Utilizing an antique piece of Italian marble, the dial features three brass gnomons: one for daylight saving time, one for true solar time, and one for solar azimuth. The dial is designed to operate from spring to autumn equinoxes.
Construction Projects, Dials: Equatorial, Sundial Design & Layout
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 38
Page 38
This article details the initial design considerations for a memorial sundial for Margaret Stanier at Newnham College, Cambridge. Frank King proposes an unequal-hours dial with a straight-rod gnomon, loosely based on a historic mass dial. He explores the challenges of accurately indicating unequal hours with a gnomon, discussing celestial sphere projections and a 'critical angle of dip' to improve precision.
Construction Projects, Dials: Mass Dials, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
September 2011
Page 44
Page 44
Peter Ransom describes receiving a copy of Mrs. Alfred Gatty's 'The Book of Sun Dials' (1872 first edition) from his daughter. He notes the physical differences between this copy and his other 1872 edition, particularly in cover colour and tooling, and speculates on further variations.
Book Reviews
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
September 2011
Page 48
Page 48
This short entry presents a photo of a declining, reclining sundial from Cavtat, Croatia, seen during a holiday. It suggests the dial likely uses the tip of the gnomon as a nodus and that the lines might have been drawn empirically, as the shadow of the gnomon does not align with the hour lines. The motto translates to 'Do not touch'.
Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2011
Page 1
Page 1
A bumper Christmas edition including plenty of varied reading over this quiet period of the year for dialling, including some continued inputs from overseas writers. It is always interesting to see how different cultures interpret the artistic side of dialling, even if the astronomy remains universal. The responses to the membership survey are continuing to come in and the Secretary will feed back anything relevant to the Bulletin when he sums up.
The BSS and Members
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 8
Page 8
This article details the design and creation of a transparent chalice dial on a 1-pint beer glass, to be read from the outside like a shepherd's dial. The challenge was to make it simple to use, casting a beam of sunlight through a dark circle to indicate time on equal-width month columns. Calculations for sun's altitude were performed for different months and hours, leading to a functional beer-glass sundial.
Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout, Construction Projects
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 32
Page 32
This is Part 2 of an article describing the design evolution of the Margaret Stanier Memorial Sundial, an unequal-hours dial for Newnham College, Cambridge. It details the aesthetic and gnomonic challenges, including discussions with planners, the development of hour-line alignments, and the artistic elements like sun rays and lettering. The article also covers the intricate cutting and gilding process.
Construction Projects, Dials: Vertical, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
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 42
Page 42
This article addresses the difficulties of accommodating leap years on sundial calendars, particularly when showing the equation of time or solar declination. It explains how to design scales for precise readings despite the difference between tropical and civil years, and discusses the historical debate around which day (24th or 29th February) is the "extra" leap day. Practical design solutions are proposed.
Equation of Time, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
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 1
Page 1
In this issue, we have articles from Greece, South Africa (two!) and Italy. Our members holiday abroad and are always on the lookout, camera in hand, for dials and here we have a collection from Spain, Russia, Switzerland and Italy. Added to all this, there are some dials currently in the UK but made for the West Indies.
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 10
Page 10
A collection of short articles describing new sundials. These include an equatorial 'solar acorn' dial in Solar, Russia; a vertical declining dial in Oxford inspired by Christopher Wren; and a mass-produced, flat-packed equatorial 'Sun Disc' from Australia designed for various latitudes.
Dials: Vertical, Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Unusual, Construction Projects
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 12
Page 12
Describes a modern, equatorial meantime sundial on the marina in Alicante, Spain, designed by Juan Vicente Pérez Ortiz. The dial features a 'cut-out' analemma shape and a slot for apparent time, and has scales for both local and time zone time.
Dials: Analemmatic, Dials: Equatorial, Equation of Time
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 21
Page 21
A collection of letters from readers. Topics include a simpler graphical method for using the John Marke altitude dial, a discussion on the nomenclature of mass dials, the 'Sun Position Compass', and the historical connection between clockmakers and dialmakers.
Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Portable, Mathematics of Dialling, The BSS and Members
March 2010
Page 23
Page 23
Features a vertical declining dial combined with a noon mark analemma on a church tower in Winterthur, Switzerland. The vertical dial is corrected for longitude, and the analemma is colour-coded for the two halves of the year.
Dials: Noon Lines, Dials: Vertical, Equation of Time
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 44
Page 44
A personal account of making accurate horizontal brass sundials. The process began with a practical, non-mathematical method of marking hour lines and evolved into a small business creating personalised dials, including the most southerly dial in South Africa at Cape Agulhas.
Dials: Horizontal, Sundial Design & Layout, DIY Sundial Projects
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
March 2010
Page 47
Page 47
A request for help in identifying three sundials from an unidentified roll of film found in the Noel Ta'Bois archive. The images include a substantial octagonal dial, another photographed from a moving car, and a canted dial in a gable.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Vertical
March 2010
Page 48
Page 48
An extension of a previous article on a photographer's sundial. This part adds a scale to indicate the sun's altitude and provides a new design for use at 54° N, which, together with the original 51.5° N dial, covers all of England.
DIY Sundial Projects, How Sundials Work, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2010
Page 1
Page 1
When considering the contents of any Bulletin, readers are reminded of the motto of the Royal Society, ‘Nullius in verba’ or, loosely translated, ‘take no-one’s word for it’! This is not to say that we do not try to be authoritative, just that other opinions are always welcome. This issue contains two sets of ‘multiple articles’ where two or more authors have contributed to different aspects of a dialling problem.
June 2010
Page 2
Page 2
This article explores the concept of integrating an aeolian harp into a sundial's support structure to complement the visual time-telling with ethereal wind-generated music. It details the history and theory of aeolian harps, including the physics of 'aeolian tones' and string resonance. The author describes the construction of a prototype venturi-type aeolian sundial using inexpensive materials, highlighting design considerations for soundboxes, strings, and the integration of a horizontal dial.
Construction Projects, DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2010
Page 7
Page 7
This paper describes a vertical sundial designed to indicate the Equation of Time (EoT) as a figure-of-eight curve, along with its anomalistic and tropical terms. It provides the mathematical formulae for calculating these values and their graphical representations as functions of time and the sun's declination.
Dials: Vertical, Mathematics of Dialling, Construction Projects, Equation of Time
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 25
Page 25
This entry provides the minutes of the British Sundial Society's 21st Annual General Meeting. It covers attendance, approval of previous minutes, and reports from council members, including the Secretary, Bulletin Editor, Registrar, Mass Dial Group, Advertising, Sundial Safaris, Treasurer, Biographical Projects, Membership, Sundial Trail Competition, Conference Organisation, Webmaster, and Sundial Design Competition. Officer elections and other business are also documented.
The BSS and Members
June 2010
Page 26
Page 26
This section presents the British Sundial Society's Statement of Financial Activities and Balance Sheet for the year ending 31 December 2009. It details income resources, expensed resources, net incoming resources, and fund balances.
The BSS and Members
June 2010
Page 31
Page 31
This report summarises the British Sundial Society's 21st annual conference, highlighting the positive weather and successful organisation by Patrick Powers. It details various talks and demonstrations, including stone carving and lettering by Ben Jones, sundials as aeolian harps by Allan Mills, unequal hour lines by Fred Sawyer, and mass dial prevalence by Chris Williams. The conference also featured a sundial tour and dinner.
The BSS and Members
June 2010
Page 36
Page 36
This article introduces the Chime Dial, an equatorial sundial inspired by historic noon cannons, designed to read solar time and provide an acoustic reminder of the sun's journey. It consists of two brass hemispheres and a dial face with five-minute intervals. A Light Dependent Resistor (LDR) inside the sphere triggers a chime when a sunray passes through a narrow gap, marking a pre-set time.
Construction Projects, DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Equatorial, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2010
Page 37
Page 37
This article details the practical construction challenges and solutions for the Chime Dial. The author describes the difficulties in achieving a sharp sunray cutoff for the Light Dependent Resistor (LDR) due to internal reflections and the need for blackened brass shims.
Sundial Design & Layout, Construction 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 40
Page 40
This is a review of Marion Freeman's book, 'Ancient Crosses of the Three Choirs Counties.' The reviewer notes that despite the title, the book covers the history of British crosses broadly, including many converted to carry sundials. It's highlighted as a potential source for finding dials in the West of England, despite some minor picture identification errors.
Book Reviews
June 2010
Page 41
Page 41
This article describes the formal launch of the 'Unicorn dial' at North Woodchester, Gloucestershire. It features a massive 17ft helical gnomon made of chromium-plated stainless steel, weighing a ton, and held at a 51¾-degree angle. The gnomon was aligned by Michael Maltin, outlining the garden layout which incorporates Chinese themes and floral hour lines.
Construction Projects, Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2010
Page 42
Page 42
This article describes a DIY instrument for establishing a meridian line, developed for aligning large sundials. It uses two mirrors set at right angles to each other to project a spot of sunlight that remains directly beneath the sun horizontally, regardless of the instrument's heading. The device, a variant of a corner reflector, allows for precise tracking of the sun's path along the horizon.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dialling Tools, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2010
Page 43
Page 43
This article presents an alternative construction for Michael Maltin's meridian instrument, which uses two orthogonal mirrors to establish a meridian line. The author describes using an engineering V-block as a ready-made 90-degree angle, adding small mirrors and a spirit level for accurate setup. It discusses refinements like front-silvered mirrors and a hinge for precise spot overlap, highlighting its simplicity and accuracy for determining the sun's azimuth.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dialling Tools, Sundial Design & Layout
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 51
Page 51
This short note describes a new sundial under construction at Trago Mills retail outlet in Newton Abbot, Devon. The dial, facing close to south, features a gnomon with a slot for a narrow line of light at solar noon and a cylindrical cross-bar nodus to show solstice and equinox declination lines. The hour points and lines are currently painted, with hopes for more durable stainless steel fittings.
Construction Projects, Dials: Vertical, 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 1
Page 1
This is our 75th edition! To mark this occasion, the cover colour has been changed, for this issue only, to blue. Never fear, the famous BSS sunny yellow will be back next time. Perhaps we will repeat this change for the 150th issue, so that your bookshelves will have markers to show our progress.
September 2010
Page 1
Page 1
This entry is a poem about a sundial, personifying it as a timeless object that shuns modern technology and relies only on the sun, telling its story 'e'er time begun'.
September 2010
Page 2
Page 2
This article details the design and construction of a new elliptical slate sundial for Selwyn College, Cambridge, indicating both Babylonian and Italian hours. It discusses the selection of the site, the unique nodus design, precise surveying for wall parameters, and the process of setting out and cutting the dial with inscriptions.
Construction Projects, Dials: Vertical, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
September 2010
Page 8
Page 8
This section describes two new sundials: a 50 cm diameter slate horizontal dial by David Brown for a client in Derbyshire, resembling the Hampton Court sundial and featuring a nodus and coat of arms; and a Carrera marble house sign sundial by Harriet James for the BSS Editorial Office.
Construction Projects, Dials: Horizontal, Sundial Design & Layout
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 16
Page 16
This article explores the psychological aspects of shadow perception, discussing how the mind interprets shadows, optical illusions, and perspective effects, as demonstrated by experiments with babies and examples of manipulated shadows or moon terminators.
How Sundials Work
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 26
Page 26
This note describes a horizontal sundial in the Netherlands with a pole-style gnomon shaped as a farm labourer holding a hoe, designed and constructed in Cor-Ten steel as a community project.
Construction Projects, Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual, 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 32
Page 32
This article presents two theoretical methods to calculate the Earth's orbital eccentricity using sundial measurements. The first method uses the Ptolemaic geocentric model and season lengths; the second derives eccentricity from the Equation of Time by separating the part due to obliquity from the total.
Equation of Time, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling
September 2010
Page 35
Page 35
This section contains two letters: Maurice J. Kenn congratulates Michael Maltin on his 'Novel Meridian Finder' and discusses the dipleidoscope; Roger Bowling queries if anyone has seen Haidinger’s brushes and the perception of polarised light.
How Sundials Work, Dialling Tools
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 1
Page 1
This editorial discusses the suggestion of including author photographs and short descriptions in Bulletin articles. It also mentions the absence of 'Guidelines for Contributors', and the delay of an article on Earth's orbital eccentricity due to illness.
The BSS and Members
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 7
Page 7
This section includes letters from readers. Frans Maes describes a multi-faceted obelisk sundial in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany, similar to one previously discussed. Allan Mills and Michael Lowne provide detailed explanations and practical advice on how to observe the optical phenomenon known as 'Haidinger’s brush,' which appears due to polarized light in the blue sky.
Dials: Multi Faced, How Sundials Work
December 2010
Page 9
Page 9
This article is the second part of a series detailing the Selwyn College sundial, focusing on its numerical properties. It explains the criss-cross pattern of Babylonian and Italian hour-lines, their relationship with French hours, and the concept of 'extra daylight.' It also provides methods for setting out these hour-lines.
Dials: Unusual, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
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 20
Page 20
This article describes a very large polar sundial designed by José Luis Basanta Campos for a multi-purpose building in Lalín, Spain. The dial is 20m x 10m on a south-facing roof inclined at the site's latitude, with a 3m gnomon. It shows hour lines from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm and lines of declination for the 20th of each month, applied using weather-resistant adhesive plastic.
Construction Projects, Dials: Polar, Sundial Design & Layout
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 38
Page 38
This article analyses Dante Gabriel Rossetti's painting Beata Beatrix focusing on the symbolic significance of the sundial depicted with its shadow on the hour nine. It delves into Rossetti's personal connection to the number nine, drawing parallels between Dante's love for Beatrice and Rossetti's relationship with Lizzie Siddal, and offers an interpretation of the sundial's deeper meaning within the artwork.
Dials: Horizontal
December 2010
Page 41
Page 41
This article presents two new sundial designs. The first is a white marble sundial for a Japanese garden near Chelyabinsk, Russia, featuring a gnomon adapted from the Japanese character for 'tiger' and Japanese characters for hour markings. The second is a Dracula Dial with a gnomon of stainless steel and black lacquer, set near Korporie fortress, which was unfortunately stolen.
Construction Projects, Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout
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
December 2010
Page 44
Page 44
This article describes a walk-on analemmatic sundial designed for Highlands School in North Vancouver, Canada, using 'Alemma' software. It features a double analemma design to provide direct mean time with minimal error, accommodating the equation of time correction. Parent volunteers built the dial, using plywood jigs and bronze survey markers for permanent reference.
Construction Projects, Dials: Analemmatic, Equation of Time, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2010
Page 45
Page 45
This report covers the fourth BSS Sundial Design Competition, which received 14 entries across restoration, professional, and amateur classes, though no junior entries. Graham Aldred won the Major Prize for his restoration of the Lyme Park dial. Other prizes were awarded for a south-facing vertical dial and highly commended entries for a sun/moon dial, a prototype noon mark dial, and a vertical dial using a 'super ellipse.'
Dials: Unusual, Restoration projects, Sundial Design & Layout, The BSS and Members
March 2009
Page 1
Page 1
Robin M Catchpole was awarded the prize for the best article by a new author for his article ‘The Solar Pyramid’ published in the June 2008 edition. There were a variety of high-quality candidates. Both Russian members of the society have contributed articles to this bulletin.
The BSS and Members
March 2009
Page 2
Page 2
This article explores alternative methods for measuring the sun's position, specifically focusing on a north-facing polarization sundial. It delves into the principles of polarized light from the sky, its application in sundial design using materials like 'Sellotape', and the construction of an experimental translucent equatorial dial that produces varying interference colours throughout the day.
Construction Projects, DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Polar, How Sundials Work
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 8
Page 8
This section features descriptions of three new sundial projects. Eddie French details the creation of a vertical declining dial in Grouville Church, Jersey, Channel Islands. Bradley Dillon describes the construction of a large horizontal cemetery park sundial in St Austell. There is also an account of Valery Dmitriev's "Angel playing a harp" sundial in St Petersburg.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Vertical, Construction Projects
March 2009
Page 10
Page 10
This article details the design and construction of a mechanical moondial for the Northern Hemisphere. It explains the components, materials used and the intricate etching process for the dial plate. The article also provides instructions for setting up the instrument, determining the moon's phase using Golden Numbers, and calculating time by the moon's apparent direction.
Sundial Design & Layout, Construction Projects, DIY Sundial Projects
March 2009
Page 13
Page 13
Maurice Kenn shares observations from Brisbane, Australia, contrasting the reliability of his universal equatorial 'coffee-time' sundial and heliochronometer with his UK radio-controlled clock. He notes the significant variation in local apparent noon relative to Eastern Standard Time in Brisbane.
Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Heliochronometer, How Sundials Work
March 2009
Page 14
Page 14
This article describes an electronic polarization sundial and sky photometer designed to measure the intensity and polarization of skylight. It uses a rotatable polar and a selenium photovoltaic cell to detect the solar meridian to within ±8 minutes of time and quantitatively assess the percentage of linear polarization in light from a selected area of the sky.
Dials: Polar, How Sundials Work, Construction Projects
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 18
Page 18
This article provides practical details for designing and constructing a durable lawn analemmatic sundial using readily available materials. It covers establishing the north-south line, calculating dimensions, making hour markers from tree-trunk lengths, crafting a date scale from timber, and ensuring precise installation for accurate solar timekeeping.
Dials: Analemmatic, Sundial Design & Layout, Construction Projects, DIY Sundial Projects
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 28
Page 28
This article details the design and robust construction of an analemmatic sundial installed in the paving of an embankment in Shelkovo, Russia. It covers the use of AutoCAD for design, creating plaster-of-Paris and beeswax models, the ceramic mould casting process for bronze elements, and building substantial concrete foundations to ensure durability against vandalism and weathering.
Dials: Analemmatic, Sundial Design & Layout, Construction Projects
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 37
Page 37
This review covers "A Study of Altitude Dials" by Mike Cowham (BSS Monograph No 4). It praises the monograph's comprehensive overview of altitude dials, including their construction, accuracy, and various types like pillar, chalice, and quadrant dials. The book also provides detailed construction guides, diagrams, and a CD-Rom with templates for readers to make their own dials.
How Sundials Work, Book Reviews, Sundial Design & Layout, DIY Sundial Projects
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
March 2009
Page 48
Page 48
This entry describes an inventive "Ye Sundyal Alarme Bafic Modelle" and a "Deluxe modelle" The basic model uses sunlight focused by a cylindrical lens to heat a copper ball, melting wax that triggers a mousetrap and a bell. The deluxe version also lights a fire for a morning posset, offering a creative, if anachronistic, take on sundial functionality.
Dials: Unusual, DIY Sundial Projects
June 2009
Page 1
Page 1
The mini-theme for this issue is sundials within the Tropics; articles by Malcolm Barnfield and Mike Cowham deal with a topic which we rarely think about but which is a good test for how well we really understand the apparent movement of the sun across the globe’s surface. The page numbering of this and subsequent bulletins will restart with each issue rather than being sequential within each volume. The 2008 Accounts will be printed with the September issue.
The BSS and Members
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 5
Page 5
A report on a visit to Sundials Australia, run by Margaret Folkard and John Ward. It covers their design philosophy favouring cast relief dials for longevity, and manufacturing process using photopolymers. The article highlights their diverse work, including horizontal dials, armillary spheres, and international commissions.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Vertical, Dials: Armillary Sphere
June 2009
Page 8
Page 8
A letter identifying the poet Anna Laetitia Barbauld as the source of an inscription, ‘Say not Good-night, but in some brighter clime Bid me Good-morning’, on a memorial sundial at Mawnan Smith, previously mentioned in the March 2009 Bulletin.
Mottoes, The BSS and Members
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 10
Page 10
An analysis of the time-telling errors that occur when a horizontal or vertical non-declining sundial is used at a latitude different from its design latitude. The article provides tables and graphs illustrating the magnitude of these errors at different times of day and for different solar declinations.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Vertical, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling
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 14
Page 14
A technical article presenting a detailed mathematical method for correcting the alignment of a wall-mounted vertical sundial that has been installed with an inaccurate declination. It provides the necessary formulae and a worked example to calculate the required angle of rotation for adjustment.
Dials: Vertical, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2009
Page 18
Page 18
An overview of designing and using sundials in tropical regions. It discusses the suitability and challenges of various dial types, including horizontal, armillary, polar, and vertical, noting issues like noon-line crowding on horizontal dials and the advantages of other formats.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Vertical, Dials: Polar, Dials: Astrolabe, Dials: Armillary Sphere
June 2009
Page 24
Page 24
Details the design and construction of an equatorial sundial that directly indicates clock time (UTC). It incorporates a mechanical cam to automatically apply the Equation of Time correction, and includes adjustments for latitude and longitude. An appendix explains how to design the cam.
Construction Projects, Dials: Equatorial, Equation of Time, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2009
Page 31
Page 31
A report on the society's 2008-9 photographic competition, announcing the winner, Mike Cowham, and runners-up. It details the judging process and criteria and showcases several of the winning and highly-rated entries, while also noting the competition will become biennial.
The BSS and Members
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 41
Page 41
Explores the design of fixed-latitude altitude dials for use in tropical regions, specifically The Gambia (13.5° N). The article presents computer-generated plots for various types, including the horary quadrant and vertical plate dial, highlighting the unique behaviour of the hour lines as the sun passes overhead.
Dials: Portable, How Sundials Work, Sundial Design & Layout
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 44
Page 44
Describes two new dials. The first is a vertical declining dial with symbolic hour marks created using incised plasterwork (pargeting) in Wanstead. The second is a new globe moondial in stainless steel which shows time by the moon for nine days around the full moon.
Dials: Unusual, Dials: Vertical, Sundial Design & Layout
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 47
Page 47
Describes a unique reflecting sundial where a flat mirror reflects a sunbeam onto a curved wall that serves as the dial plate. The article explains the geometry, calculations, and calibration process for this artistic and scientific instrument located at Tolefors Farm, Sweden.
Dials: Reflected, Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout
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 1
Page 1
The Best New Bulletin Author Award 2008 could not be presented at the Conference so it was recently presented at the Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge, where the recipient, Robin Catchpole, works. The presentation consisted of a replica astrolabe, as well as a certificate.
The BSS and Members
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 8
Page 8
A report on a British Sundial Society visit to Bramshill House, a Jacobean mansion in Hampshire. The article describes the tour of the house, which was the former National Police Staff College, and the various timepieces examined, including a noon mark, a horizontal dial, a stone polyhedron, and a vertical dial.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Noon Lines, Dials: Vertical, The BSS and Members
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 20
Page 20
Describes a new declining vertical dial recently installed in the Midlands. The design is based on the dials at Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge. The article details its large size, construction materials including vitreous-enamelled steel and brass, and a unique feature: the coat of arms of Aston Villa Football Club.
Construction Projects, Dials: Vertical, Sundial Design & Layout
September 2009
Page 20
Page 20
A letter responding to a previous article on Kircher’s 'Organum Heliocausticum'. The author argues that the instrument as depicted could not work because the focal length of the spherical lens is drawn incorrectly.
Dials: Unusual, How Sundials Work
September 2009
Page 21
Page 21
A detailed report on the 20th annual BSS conference. The article summarises the programme of talks, which covered topics such as early Norwegian dials, the prevalence of scratch dials, equant dials, and the Equation of Time. It also describes the conference outing to Holker Hall and Hawkshead, and other social events.
The BSS and Members
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 25
Page 25
Features a unique sundial hat designed by Joanna Migdal for the Ascot races. The hat is a functional sundial designed for the latitude of Ascot, with its gnomon made of feathers. It is delineated to show "Race Time," indicating the start times of the races.
Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout
September 2009
Page 26
Page 26
Describes the design and markings of a complex vertical sundial. In addition to time, the dial indicates the current ecliptic positions of the constellations using a Mercator projection. It also features longitude correction, an Equation of Time curve, declination lines, and functions as a nomogram for identifying constellations visible at night.
Dials: Vertical, Equation of Time, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
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 38
Page 38
Describes the introduction of a 'Conference Vote' for the BSS Photocompetition, allowing members to choose their favourite entries alongside the formal judging panel. The article details the voting method and presents the results, noting that the members' choice for first place mirrored the judges' decision.
The BSS and Members
September 2009
Page 40
Page 40
The official minutes of the society's 20th Annual General Meeting held in May 2009. The document includes reports from various council members on the year's activities, such as membership, publications, restoration projects, and the dial registers, as well as recording the election of officers for the next term.
The BSS and Members
September 2009
Page 42
Page 42
Features two reviews. The first covers "Time in Antiquity" by Robert Hannah, a book on Greek and Roman timekeeping. The second reviews Denis Savoie’s "Sundials: Design, Construction, and Use," a modern, practical text on constructing various types of sundials, translated from the French original.
Book Reviews
September 2009
Page 44
Page 44
A humorous account of installing an armillary sphere sundial in a cottage garden. The author describes the challenges of using an old granite farm roller as a pedestal, detailing the difficulties of moving it, cutting the axle, and drilling into the stone to mount the dial and a motto plate.
Construction Projects, Dials: Armillary Sphere
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
September 2009
Page 46
Page 46
Re-evaluates A.P. Herbert's suggestion of turning a horizontal sundial to make it agree with mean time. While previously dismissed as inaccurate, this article presents a theoretical analysis and a practical implementation showing that, for UK latitudes, the 'trick' can keep the dial accurate to within a minute for most of the year.
Dials: Horizontal, Equation of Time, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling
December 2009
Page 1
Page 1
Two articles describe dials which make use of the catenary curve while the themes of stolen dials, mass dials and new dials are continued. A ‘Happy Christmas’ and sunny winter solstice to all members!
The BSS and Members
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 14
Page 14
This section presents two new dials. The first is a stone vertical dial near St Petersburg with a theme from a Chekhov story. The second is a 'triple horizontal dial' made of stainless steel for a garden in South Africa, which includes a nocturnal and family anniversary lines.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual, Dials: Nocturnals
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 19
Page 19
A short poem reflecting on time as shown by a sundial's shadow, which divides the past from the future, leaving only the present 'NOW' in one's hands. An editorial note identifies the dial's location and mentions the poem's frequent use on modern sundials.
Mottoes
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 23
Page 23
A summary of the autumn meeting of the British Sundial Society. The report covers the day's lectures on a variety of topics, including diallists John Twysden and Robert Cutbush, the creation of ceramic sundials, and Roman dials in Britain, as well as exhibits shared by members.
The BSS and Members
December 2009
Page 26
Page 26
Describes the design and use of a pocket-sized device for photographers to predict the sun's direction at any time of day or year. Based on a horizontal stereographic projection, the instrument uses a rotating dowel aligned with date and time scales to help plan for specific lighting conditions.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2009
Page 28
Page 28
Details the design and construction of a modern, portable heliochronometer. The instrument, inspired by H.C. Armstead's 'Phoeboscope', uses a spot of light on an analemma to provide a numerical time readout. It can be adjusted for latitude, longitude, the equation of time, and summer time.
Construction Projects, Dials: Heliochronometer, Equation of Time
December 2009
Page 33
Page 33
A light-hearted feature showing two sundial-themed cakes. One, with the NASS logo, was for dialmaker Tony Moss upon his retirement. The other was a wedding cake for BSS member, Andrew James, featuring an accurate horizontal dial on the top tier and other personal musical and travel motifs.
The BSS and Members
December 2009
Page 34
Page 34
This article describes a large and innovative bifilar sundial. It uses the intersecting shadows cast by two suspended chains hanging in catenary curves to indicate both the time and the date on a large tiled pavement. The article provides a summary of the complex mathematical calculations involved in its design.
Dials: Bifilar, Dials: Unusual, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2009
Page 37
Page 37
A report on a commercial satellite dish, produced by the German firm Fuba, that incorporates a functional sundial on its parabolic surface. The author notes that the dial is designed for a specific latitude and satellite position and remarks on its similarity to a dish dial he built himself in 1999.
Dials: Vertical, Dials: Unusual
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 1
Page 1
The award for the best paper by a new author in the 2007 Bulletin has been made to Stefano Barbolini, Guido Dresti, Frank King and Rosario Mosello for their paper ‘The Sundial in La Specola Museum, Florence’ (Bull. 19(i) pp.33-39). The prize, a certificate and a small replica portable dial, will be presented at a later date.
The BSS and Members
March 2008
Page 2
Page 2
Describes an unusual 1842 pocket calendar device called the Clef-Callier, named after one of two Parisian clockmakers, which shows the Equation of Time for the 5th, 15th, and 25th day of each month. It also displays the month and date, with corrections generally within one minute of modern figures.
Dials: Portable, Equation of Time
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 10
Page 10
A recorder encounters an armillary sphere sundial for sale at a garden centre. Despite initial skepticism about 'garden centre' dials, it's well-delineated. The author inquires about its permanence for recording purposes and learns its price (£10,000) and maker, Richard Heron.
Dials: Armillary Sphere
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 18
Page 18
Describes the design, creation, and dedication of a large horizontal sundial by Tony Moss, commemorating the 400th anniversary of the Jamestown settlement. The unique 'navette' shaped dial incorporates Anglo-American symbolism, funded by the Sawyer Dialling Prize and sponsors, and was installed at Turner Farm Park.
Dials: Horizontal, Sundial Design & Layout, Construction Projects, The BSS and Members
March 2008
Page 22
Page 22
A personal report on the 13th NASS Conference in McLean, Virginia, covering presentations on various sundial topics, a bus tour to significant dials like the Lyman Briggs Memorial Dial and the Gaithersburg Latitude Observatory, and the dedication of the Jamestown Commemorative Sundial. It also details the Sawyer Dialling Prize presentation and practical workshops.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Polar, The BSS and Members
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 28
Page 28
This section features descriptions of recently unveiled sundials. It includes a large nodal dial in Blackrock, Co. Louth, Ireland, and a vertical sundial in Stouffville, Ontario, Canada, the latter using High Density Urethane material. It also mentions a large horizontal dial in a community garden in Barrow-upon-Soar, Lincolnshire.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Vertical
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 41
Page 41
This continuation of book reviews includes an extensive review of 'The Astrolabe' by James E. Morrison, praising its comprehensive coverage of astrolabe types, principles, uses, and construction methods.
Dials: Astrolabe, Book Reviews
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 43
Page 43
Showcases Pat Briggs' Meccano models, ranging from simple equatorial dials to complex planetaria and astronomical clocks. It highlights his ingenious mechanisms, including a universal joint for shadow tracking, an Equation of Time clock, and a 'Meccano Analemmagraph' for drawing the analemma, using cunningly-designed gear ratios.
Dials: Equatorial, Equation of Time, Dialling Tools, DIY Sundial Projects
March 2008
Page 46
Page 46
Describes the design and construction of an 18-inch brass equatorial mean time sundial, incorporating a mechanism to compensate for the Equation of Time. The article details the machining of a groove on a rotatable drum for EoT correction and the careful assembly and alignment of the time-ring and gnomon, calibrated to read GMT directly.
Construction Projects, DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Equatorial, Equation of Time
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 49
Page 49
The editor apologises for a change in email address and encourages members to send in photographs of dials for a new 'Picture Gallery' feature and items for 'New Dials'. It also includes corrections for Bonham's sale prices from the previous Bulletin.
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 54
Page 54
This article describes the design and astronomical calculations for the Solar Pyramid, a proposed large-scale art installation that will also function as the world's largest sundial. It details the design constraints, methods for reading time, and the accuracy of incorporating the Equation of Time over centuries.
Construction Projects, Equation of Time, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2008
Page 60
Page 60
This section introduces new sundials, including the 'Longitude Dial' at Burghley House, designed by William Andrewes, which incorporates a world map and indicates standard time and noon locations. It also describes a brass sundial made by Valery Dmitriev in Russia, designed in a traditional English style using CNC milling.
Dials: Horizontal, 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 67
Page 67
This entry reports on the presentation of the SotI 'Sundial Trail' Award first prize to Rosaleen Robertson for her 'Timaru sundial trail' in New Zealand. It also mentions the joint sponsorship of the 2008 competition by SotI and BSS, encouraging participation in creating sundial trails.
The BSS and Members
June 2008
Page 68
Page 68
This article describes the sophisticated porcelain artistic technique used to create sundials, from preparing the slurry and casting the pottery to delineating the dial, modelling decorative elements like a 'grapevine river of life', painting with glazes, and multiple firings and enamelling processes.
Sundial Design & Layout, Construction Projects
June 2008
Page 72
Page 72
This entry contains the minutes of the British Sundial Society's 19th Annual General Meeting, held on 30 March 2008. It covers the Chairman's opening remarks, apologies, approval of previous minutes, Council Members' reports and other society activities.
The BSS and Members
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 95
Page 95
This article reports on the 2007 BSS Photographic Competition, detailing the judging process, scoring criteria, and the results. John Davis's 'Ship's Time' won first place, with Mike Isaacs and John Lester as runners-up. It encourages members to participate in the upcoming 2008 competition.
The BSS and Members
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 101
Page 101
This editorial discusses three articles on double horizontal dials, highlighting the ongoing discovery and reassessment of significant dials by BSS members. It also addresses the issue of stolen sundials and the Society's role in their recovery, encouraging readers to report suspicious finds. Feedback on the Bulletin is also requested from members.
The BSS and Members
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 108
Page 108
This article describes the creation of a slate vertical sundial as a memorial at The Mountbatten School. Designed for Greenwich time and features a superellipse for hour line termination. The piece details the carving, gilding, and stainless steel gnomon construction, culminating in its successful unveiling in 2007.
Dials: Vertical, Sundial Design & Layout, Construction Projects
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 112
Page 112
This article explores the artistic and innovative designs of gnomons, moving beyond simple functional brackets to decorative, contextual, or 'shadow-play' designs. It provides examples of gnomons incorporating visual puns, personal initials, and a novel method for designing a gnomon to cast a true profile shadow on a specific date and time.
DIY Sundial Projects, How Sundials Work, Sundial Design & Layout
September 2008
Page 115
Page 115
This section presents a selection of entries from the 2007 Photo Competition, including titles such as 'Double Time,' 'Summer Solstice—Noon,' 'Red Sky in the Morning...,' 'Accidental Gnomon,' 'A Vintage Sundial,' and 'Marked by Time.'
The BSS and Members
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 123
Page 123
This paper provides a mathematical analysis of James Richard's rare vertical equiangular meantime sundial, designed to resemble a clock with equally spaced hours. It explains the gnomon's upward inclination and daily displacement, allowing for mean time and BST adjustments. The analysis, an alternative to Foster-Lambert theory, aims to stimulate interest in this unusual dial type.
Dials: Foster-Lambert, Dials: Vertical, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
September 2008
Page 129
Page 129
Jackie Jones and Rob Stephenson describe painting a new vertical sundial on their Brighton house in April 2008. The dial shows hours, half-hours, solstices, equinoxes, and their wedding anniversary. The article details the process from transferring the design to the wall, the painting and installation, along with amusing public reactions to the new dial.
Dials: Vertical, Sundial Design & Layout, Construction Projects, DIY Sundial Projects
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 142
Page 142
This section presents the British Sundial Society's income and expenditure statement for 2007. It details totals for subscriptions, events, sales, donations, and financial interest against expenses for the Bulletin, publications, officers, and events. The section also includes notes on specific items, fund balances, and general accounting practices.
The BSS and Members
September 2008
Page 143
Page 143
Douglas Hunt reports on a new analemmatic mosaic sundial inaugurated in April 2008 in Cecil Plains, Queensland, Australia. Designed by local artist Alain Colfs with layout plans from Modern Sunclocks, the dial features anti-clockwise hour markers and a date-scale, located near the tropics in the Southern Hemisphere.
Construction Projects, Dials: Analemmatic, Sundial Design & Layout
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 153
Page 153
The editorial introduces the issue's new, more colourful appearance due to printing technology advancements, aiming for higher quality at low cost. It also mentions a pocket-sized card with the Equation of Time included and welcomes contributions for the photographic competition.
The BSS and Members
December 2008
Page 154
Page 154
This article describes a portable universal East and West polar dial that is self-aligning and does not require a compass. It details its design, operation, and identifies limitations such as a two-hour gap around noon. It also explores improvements through hinged flaps and cylindrical designs, and relates it to other dial types like the double crescent dial.
Dials: Polar, Dials: Portable, How Sundials Work, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2008
Page 157
Page 157
A report on the BSS Newbury meeting on 27 September 2008, detailing talks on stainless steel sundials, polar dials, dynamic sundial design using calculators, and 3-D modelling for overshadowing. It also covers a survey of early horizontal dials in Flintshire, exhibits, and presentations on paper sundials and dials in Mexico and the southern hemisphere.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Polar, Sundial Design & Layout, The BSS and Members
December 2008
Page 159
Page 159
This piece describes a new multiple dial created by Alex Boldyrev for Shevelkovo Village. Carved from Crimean limestone, it features an equatorial dial's upper half and a south-facing scaphe dial in Greek style. It incorporates owls symbolizing Athena and a reconstructed historical mistake in its design, with gnomons made from cold-hammered copper rods.
Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Equatorial, Sundial Design & Layout, Dials: Scaphe
December 2008
Page 160
Page 160
This article provides a summary of data and equations needed to delineate and set out analemmatic sundials. It discusses the projection of an equatorial dial onto a horizontal surface, using a vertical gnomon whose position varies with the sun's declination, and the calculation of sunrise and sunset markers using Lambert circles and Bailey Points.
Dials: Analemmatic, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
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 168
Page 168
Reviews two books: Les Méridiennes du Monde et Leur Histoire by Andrée Gotteland (2 volumes, 850 meridians in 24 countries, including midday canons and industrial meridians) and Mass Dials On Yorkshire Churches by Alan Cook (monograph on 83 churches with mass dials, discussing variations and survival rates, well-illustrated).
Book Reviews
December 2008
Page 169
Page 169
A light-hearted alphabetical list of terms and concepts related to sundials and dialling. It covers various aspects from Apparent time to Zodiac, including types of dials, mathematical concepts, and references to the British Sundial Society and its members.
How Sundials Work, The BSS and Members
December 2008
Page 170
Page 170
This article presents a method for designing polar sundials for any latitude and declination using four simple formulae. It explains that polar dials have a style parallel with the dial plane and parallel hour lines, and describes how to determine the angle of the equinox line and the sub-style hour angle.
Dials: Polar, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
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 184
Page 184
This article proposes the logarithmic spiral as the sole mathematical function needed for designing a polar south sundial, where one spiral segment forms the gnomon profile and another acts as the dial face. It details the spiral's characteristics, equations for tangents and arc lengths, and presents a calculation example for a model, illustrating its construction and operation.
Construction Projects, Dials: Polar, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2008
Page 188
Page 188
This short note features an illustration from John Blagrave's "The Mathematical Jewel" showing a diallist determining wall declination. It briefly mentions Blagrave's life in Reading and the various tools depicted in the drawing, such as a square, plumb-bob, and simple theodolites.
Dialling Tools
December 2008
Page 189
Page 189
A report on Joanna Migdal, a prominent sundial maker. It covers her artistic training, apprenticeship with Edwin Russell, and her unique methods for creating bronze sundials, including water jet cutting, hand-finishing, engraving with burrs, and chemical patination. The article highlights her award-winning work, design process, and other artistic commissions, and notes her links with the British Sundial Society.
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 1
Page 1
This editorial announces the winner of the first BSS New Author Award, Geoffrey Lane, for his paper 'Glass Sundials of 17th Century London'. It also mentions the runners-up and encourages members to contribute to the Bulletin. It notes the absence of colour pages in this issue due to unforeseen circumstances, with a double dose planned for the next.
The BSS and Members
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 9
Page 9
This section contains correspondence from readers. Chris Lusby Taylor discusses the use of Hooke’s joint for delineating declining and reclining dials, while Allan Mills replies regarding an error in a previous paper. Tony Ashmore suggests an interpretation for the 'Egyptian Face' design on a sundial pillar at Lord Tennyson's home, attributing it to Ptolemy.
Dials: Unusual, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling
March 2007
Page 10
Page 10
John Wall explores the hypothetical consequences if the Earth's rotation on its axis were reversed. He details impacts on sunrise/sunset directions, calendar year length, solar day duration, star progression, International Date Line adjustments, and time zones. The article also touches upon how sundials would still function with reversed numerals.
How Sundials Work
March 2007
Page 11
Page 11
This contribution presents an excerpt from G.K. Chesterton's Father Brown story, 'The strange crime of John Boulnois'. The excerpt provides a vivid description of a garden sundial set on a mound, where a man's figure is seen clinging to it for a moment before falling.
Dials: Horizontal, Book Reviews
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 14
Page 14
This entry provides tabular data for solar and lunar events for the year 2007. It includes details such as declination, and transit times for various months, and specifically mentions the Summer Solstice date and time. The data was kindly supplied by Fiona Vincent and includes lunar data and solstice times based on reader requests.
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 18
Page 18
This short note describes an eightieth birthday cake made for Dr John Lester, which was delineated as a vertical south dial. The humorous observation is made that it might slide off the plate if placed on a wall and questions if it should show 'temporary' hours.
Dials: Vertical
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 24
Page 24
This paper introduces a simple accessory, a three-quarters CD, that can be used with existing horizontal sundials to signify Italian and Babylonian hours. It explains how these hour systems differ from conventional timekeeping and how the accessory allows us to read these hours, using the shadow of the CD.
Dials: Horizontal, How Sundials Work, Dialling Tools, DIY Sundial Projects
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 32
Page 32
This note announces that sundial-based work, developed by BSS member Peter Ransom, is making a comeback in Key Stage 3 mathematics in schools through the DfES Bowland Initiative. It hopes this will increase interest in sundial making and BSS membership.
The BSS and Members
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 40
Page 40
This paper examines the self-setting property of dual sundials, typically consisting of a polar-gnomon dial and an analemmatic dial. It explains the astronomical parameters involved, how rotation affects time indications, and calculates the effectiveness of this alignment method at various latitudes and declinations. It also compares the traditional dual dial with an alternative Foster-Lambert reclining dial.
Dials: Foster-Lambert, Dials: Double Horizontal
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 49
Page 49
This editorial introduces the issue with a stained glass theme, highlights the Photographic Competition, mentions new series on astrolabes and professional dial makers, and thanks organisers of the successful Cambridge conference.
The BSS and Members
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 56
Page 56
This report details the 2006 British Sundial Society Photographic Competition, noting a record entry, high standards, and the judging criteria. It announces Paul Shaw as the overall winner and Ian Butson and David Hawker as second and third prize recipients respectively, also commending seven other photographs.
The BSS and Members
June 2007
Page 58
Page 58
This entry provides the minutes from the British Sundial Society's 18th Annual General Meeting held on 15 April 2007 in Cambridge. It covers opening remarks, apologies, approval of previous minutes, and reports from various Council members on Society activities, membership, finances, and future plans.
The BSS and Members
June 2007
Page 62
Page 62
This section presents the British Sundial Society's financial accounts for 2006, detailing income and expenditure. It shows an increase in net income, explains the accounting basis, and includes auditor's comments on fund management and financial clarity.
The BSS and Members
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 64
Page 64
This article describes an improved, easier method for making brass and bronze disks for sundials, specifically using double-sided adhesive tape and a lathe chuck. It offers a simpler alternative to previous laborious methods, suitable for various disk sizes up to the lathe's maximum capacity.
Construction Projects, DIY Sundial Projects
June 2007
Page 66
Page 66
This report details a visit to David Harber Ltd., a successful business specialising in sundials, garden features, and sculpture. It traces David Harber's unconventional career path, his company's business philosophy, preference for polished stainless steel, and notable commissions including several for Oxbridge colleges.
Sundial Design & Layout
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 75
Page 75
This article describes the process of creating a replica stained-glass sundial for Nailsea Court after the original was stolen. The author explains how window declination was measured and new hour lines calculated, detailing the multi-stage artistic and technical process to recreate the dial, with gnomon fixed to leadwork to prevent glass damage.
Sundial Design & Layout, Construction Projects, Restoration projects
June 2007
Page 78
Page 78
This article discusses the determination of sunrise and sunset directions and times using garden analemmatic sundials. It explains the dial's principles, the Bailey points for seasonal markers, and evaluates the accuracy of these markers, noting discrepancies and suggesting practical applications for garden dials despite minor errors.
Dials: Analemmatic, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
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 83
Page 83
This article describes the restoration of a faded vertical declining sundial at Painswick Pharmacy, the first to receive a British Sundial Society grant. It details the cleaning, stabilisation of a crack, repainting, and strengthening of the iron gnomon. The article also touches on the dial's possible historical connection to local clockmakers and its asymmetrical placement.
Dials: Vertical, Restoration projects
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 95
Page 95
This entry provides a table of solar and lunar data for 2007, including daily declination and transit times, as well as moon phase information for June, July, and August.
How Sundials Work
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 97
Page 97
The editorial discusses the added interest and design lift that declination lines bring to sundials, noting that this issue features two papers offering different, simpler methods for laying them out, encouraging designers to use them more. It also announces a new semi-regular feature on 'New Dials', inviting contributions from professional and amateur makers.
The BSS and Members
September 2007
Page 98
Page 98
This article reviews Pilkington's Mechanical Equation Table a device for converting sundial time to mean time, detailing its two versions. It covers the design evolution, Pilkington's reluctant use of Gibbs' cam mechanism due to practical limitations, and their patent disputes.
Equation of Time, Dials: Heliochronometer
September 2007
Page 102
Page 102
This paper applies Hooke's joint equation of motion to sundials to calculate the hour angle, angular velocity, and acceleration of the shadow. It provides formulas and graphs for a direct south vertical dial at 52° N latitude, showing how these parameters vary throughout the day, with angular velocity minima at noon/midnight and maxima at 6 am/pm.
How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling
September 2007
Page 104
Page 104
This obituary commemorates Edward Martin (1925-2007), founder of the British Sundial Society's Mass Dial Group. It highlights his pioneering work in collecting and computerising information on mass and Saxon dials, leading to a National Register. Martin's vision and enthusiasm for recording dials nationwide are praised as a significant legacy to the Society.
Dials: Mass Dials, The BSS and Members
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 111
Page 111
This section features three letters: Robert Scott Simon identifies a dial he made. John Wall comments on a bizarre sundial plot in a TV series, where a pivoted gnomon reveals gold. Graham Aldred discusses corrosion on sundial plates and P&G heliochronometers, suggesting material substitutions and their implications.
Dials: Heliochronometer, Restoration projects, The BSS and Members
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 114
Page 114
This article investigates a peculiar Pl. Long. inscription on the 1845 Hawkshead Grammar School sundial. Through extensive correspondence, Pl Long was identified as The Plane's Longitude referring to the hour angle in angular measure when the sun is directly over the style, rather than a geographical longitude.
Dials: Vertical, How Sundials Work, Sundial Design & Layout
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 118
Page 118
This article presents practical, simple methods for measuring the height and size of sundials, especially those high on church towers. It describes using a homemade shadow square for height, relating dial dimensions to known object sizes from photographs, and employing a marked tripod. Computer software techniques for perspective correction are also discussed to improve accuracy.
Construction Projects, Dialling Tools
September 2007
Page 122
Page 122
This review covers Designing Sundials: The Graphic Method by Margo Anne King, aimed at mathematically unsophisticated readers. It praises the comprehensive graphical instructions but criticises the lack of inspirational examples and tedious cross-referencing. A significant error in the vertical declining dials section required an errata sheet, impacting its utility for beginners.
Book Reviews, Sundial Design & Layout
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 124
Page 124
This article provides a simple modification to standard drills to safely and effectively drill brass, which is often described as a greedy metal that can cause drills to dig-in aggressively. The technique involves blunting the drill's cutting edge to a vertical flat so it scrapes rather than cuts, requiring a separate set of modified drills.
DIY Sundial Projects
September 2007
Page 125
Page 125
This article updates a previous account of 18th-century lead figures, known as sundial supporters attributed to sculptors John Nost or Andries Carpentiere. It identifies nine newly found figures (Old Blackamoor, Indian, Father Time types) and provides more historical details. These mass-produced garden ornaments show varying locations of extant and lost examples.
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 134
Page 134
This entry provides a table of solar and lunar data for September, October, and November. It includes daily values for declination and transit times, as well as lunar quarter and new/full moon phases. This data is useful for sundial calibration and understanding celestial movements.
Equation of Time, How Sundials Work
September 2007
Page 135
Page 135
This section presents a batch of unplaced entries from the 2006 BSS Photographic Competition, highlighting the high quality of submissions. It includes titles and photographers for various sundial images, encouraging members to submit more photos for next year's competition.
The BSS and Members
September 2007
Page 137
Page 137
This article offers detailed methods for drawing declination lines on planar sundials using polar and Cartesian coordinates, or a graphical protractor, all based on the dial's style height and nodus distance. It also provides formulas for calculating hour line angles for various dial types and a simple method to check existing dials for accuracy.
Construction Projects, Dialling Tools, 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
September 2007
Page 144
Page 144
This entry describes an undated postcard featuring St Peter’s Church at Thorpe Salvin, Yorkshire. It highlights the church's south, east, and presumed west vertical dials, as well as a spherical dial on the ball at the top, noting that gnomons are no longer present. The church is also known for its Saxon doorway and 12th-century structures.
December 2007
Page 145
Page 145
This editorial addresses the sad news of Margaret Stanier's passing, noting her contributions as a former Bulletin Editor and her influence on the sundialling community. It also mentions the inclusion of a solar and lunar data card with the issue and invites photographers to submit suitable cover pictures.
The BSS and Members
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 151
Page 151
This report summarises the British Sundial Society's Newbury meeting, which began with a tribute to the late Dr. Margaret Stanier. Presentations included stained-glass sundials, mounting a vertical sundial with a TV bracket, mathematical proofs for hour lines, a schools programme for dialling, universal equinoctial ring dials, dipleidoscopes, dials with vertical gnomons, and hemispherical dials.
Dialling Tools, How Sundials Work, Sundial Design & Layout, The BSS and Members
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 153
Page 153
This report profiles Ben Jones, a letter carver and sculptor based in Devon, who has also become a skilled sundial maker. His work, which comprises 25-30% of his commissions, is noted for its artistic and unique designs, ranging from shield-shaped vertical dials to analemmatic dials and multi-faceted columns. He integrates his lettering skills and sculptural form into his creations.
Dials: Vertical, Dials: Polar, Sundial Design & Layout
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 161
Page 161
This section showcases several newly completed sundials. It features a memorial dial at Westminster School for Adolph and Freda Prag, an elliptical dial carved in Portland stone, a unique double horizontal dial for the southern hemisphere on Okatjorute Farm in Namibia, a late Saxon memorial sundial for a dog in Macclesfield, and a large analemmatic dial in Pollagh, Co. Galway, Ireland, at Brigit's Garden.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Analemmatic, Dials: Double Horizontal
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 173
Page 173
This section contains various letters from readers. Frans W. Maes discusses Lambert circles and seasonal markers on analemmatic sundials. Roger Bailey provides corrections and recommendations for seasonal markers. Frank King confirms a relationship for seasonal marker distance. Ken Head replies to Maes and Bailey. John Lester solves the mystery of a partial sundial motto. Malcolm Barnfield describes the making of a noon cannon sundial.
Dials: Analemmatic, Sundial Design & Layout, DIY Sundial Projects, The BSS and Members
December 2007
Page 176
Page 176
Jackie Jones describes her process of making portable sundials in silver, applying jewellery techniques learned at Art College. Her aim is to create modern, artistic, yet functional pocket dials. She details methods for showing hour lines, blackening recesses, and designing folding gnomons. The article also covers working with sterling silver, hallmarking, achieving different surface textures, and future plans for transparent enamel panels.
Construction Projects, DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Portable, Sundial Design & Layout
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 184
Page 184
This article describes a monument in Cala Figuera, Majorca, featuring three vertical declining bifilar sundials on the pedestal of a fisherman statue. Two dials face south, one east and one west, and the third faces north, declining east. The article details their bifilar gnomon design (semi-ellipse and straight line), delineation for hours and half-hours, and declination lines, along with the mathematical methods used for their design and calculation.
Construction Projects, Dials: Bifilar, Dials: Multi Faced, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
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 190
Page 190
This note introduces Hassaan Ghazali from Lahore, Pakistan, a lawyer who is interested in sundials and plans to form a kindred society in Pakistan. It mentions his visit to the UK where he met Christopher Daniel and visited the National Maritime Museum and Royal Observatory sundials. The British Sundial Society hopes he will become a member.
The BSS and Members
December 2007
Page 191
Page 191
This obituary commemorates Margaret Wilson Stanier (1919-2007), a distinguished physiologist and former Editor of the British Sundial Society Bulletin. It highlights her academic career at Oxford, Makerere College, and Cambridge, her scientific publications, her involvement with the Newnham College observatory, and her various hobbies including bell-ringing and botanical interests. It emphasizes her significant contributions to gnomonics, joining the BSS in 1990, editing the Bulletin with rigor, and writing seminal monographs on Oxford and Cambridge dials.
The BSS and Members
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 1
Page 1
This editorial highlights new features in the Bulletin, such as the title on the spine and the inclusion of colour pages. It commends Mike Cowham’s advice on sundial photography and draws attention to historical articles, particularly Herr Hofbauer’s lecture and John Wall’s piece on church orientation, while encouraging all readers to contribute.
February 2006
Page 2
Page 2
This article describes the unveiling of a memorial sundial for Martin Suggett at the World Museum, Liverpool. It details the dial's design, crafted from Welsh slate with a stainless steel gnomon, featuring a relief based on the 7th-century Kingston Brooch. The sundial is calibrated to show local Liverpool time, accompanied by an explanatory leaflet for visitors.
Dials: Vertical
February 2006
Page 3
Page 3
This piece addresses the challenges of photographing high-mounted or horizontal sundials. The author presents a practical solution involving an elevated digital camera on an extended tripod with a remote shutter release, enabling bird's eye views while ensuring the photographer's safety and optimal framing without including themselves in the shot.
Dialling Tools, DIY Sundial Projects
February 2006
Page 5
Page 5
This review praises Sundials of the British Isles. a comprehensive hardback featuring over 500 high-quality colour photographs. Written by 30 authors across 12 regional chapters, it covers diverse topics like regional dial styles, early British dials, stained-glass examples, and portable sundials, serving as a valuable travel guide and resource for enthusiasts.
Book Reviews
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 14
Page 14
This article provides instructions for assembling and using a moon dial. It explains how to determine the moon's phase using the Golden Number and how to rotate the dial to find the current time. The author notes that this dial relies on estimating the moon’s direction rather than casting a visible shadow, due to the moon's light intensity.
Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Unusual, Construction Projects, DIY Sundial Projects, 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 18
Page 18
This article details the author's successful endeavour to create origami sundials without cutting or tearing, describing three unique designs. It provides step-by-step instructions for an equatorial dial, explaining the geometric principles behind folding hour lines and constructing a perpendicular gnomon.
Dials: Equatorial, Mathematics of Dialling, Construction Projects, DIY Sundial Projects
February 2006
Page 20
Page 20
This section contains various reader contributions. Hal Brandmaier and Tony Wood discuss vector methods for sundial delineation. Patrick Powers and Douglas Bateman exchange views on a longitude error on the Kew Garden Cross Dial inscription. Norman Darwood briefly comments on the potential effects of changes in Earth's rotation on sundials.
Dials: Horizontal, Mathematics of Dialling, Equation of Time
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 26
Page 26
This instalment, the third in a series, presents the complex mathematical methods for delineating declining-inclining sundials using vector analysis. It provides detailed equations for calculating the shadow plane components, hour and declination lines, sub-style angles, and gnomon angles, building upon two previous articles.
Dials: Vertical, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
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 32
Page 32
This article describes a new large stainless steel equatorial sundial, shaped like a Viking longship, installed at the Westwood Cross shopping centre in Ramsgate. The dial also serves as public seating and features large Roman numerals and an Equation of Time graph, although the author notes some elementary numbering and calibration errors.
Dials: Equatorial, Sundial Design & Layout, Equation of Time
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 35
Page 35
This article details the intricate process of creating a 30-inch bronze replica of the Henry Wynne dial. It covers pattern making, casting, and challenging precision machining operations, including overcoming issues with a gnomon that was initially too short and perfecting a complex knife-edge. The project required meticulous effort and problem-solving.
Construction Projects, Dials: Double Horizontal, Restoration projects, Sundial Design & Layout
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
February 2006
Page 47
Page 47
This report summarises Dr. Paulo Brenni's lecture on Artist and Engineer - Saga of the French instrument industry in the 19th Century presented at the Scientific Instrument Society's 13th Annual Invitation Lecture. It covers the development of French scientific instrument production, from its early unorganised state to its significant international presence in the mid-19th century, and subsequent decline.
February 2006
Page 48
Page 48
This article announces the installation of a new large stainless steel public sundial on Ipswich marina, sponsored by Rotary clubs to commemorate their centenary. Designed by Tony Moss, the horizontal dial features a massive gnomon, Rotary emblems, a British Summer Time scale, and an informative plaque with a combined longitude/Equation of Time correction graph.
Dials: Horizontal, Construction Projects, Equation of Time
June 2006
Page 49
Page 49
The new Editor of the Bulletin thanked his predecessors. He stated that any future changes to the Bulletin would depend on an analysis of the recent Readership Survey. He encouraged new authors to submit articles for the Bulletin.
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 54
Page 54
This report details the results of the 2005 British Sundial Society Photographic Competition, highlighting the winners, runners-up, and highly commended entries. It includes judges' comments, discusses criteria like artistic merit and overall impression, and announces plans for the 2006 competition.
The BSS and Members
June 2006
Page 60
Page 60
This section provides the British Sundial Society's income and expenditure report for the year 2005. It details financial figures for subscriptions, gift aid, publications, events, sales, interest, and various expenses, along with notes explaining the figures and an auditor's comments on the accounts' clarity and accuracy.
The BSS and Members
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 68
Page 68
This fourth part of a series focuses on the delineation of direct east and west vertical dials using vector methods. It details the coordinate transformations, equations for hour lines, declination lines, sub-style angles, and gnomon characteristics for these specific dial types, also covering their illumination times.
Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2006
Page 75
Page 75
This article describes the design and construction of a horizontal sundial with a cylindrical gnomon, which the author calls a "Turnstile Dial." It explains how the shadow is cast from a continuum of tangent points on the rounded gnomon, the practical aspects of its construction using copper, and the plotting of hour lines tangential to a central ellipse.
Construction Projects, DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Horizontal, 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 91
Page 91
This first part of a review examines the design and accuracy of the Pilkington & Gibbs Helio-Chronometer, an equatorial sundial known for its mean time accuracy. It details the instrument's components, mounting assembly, sight screen system, and the mechanism for integrating the Equation of Time using a cam, and discusses factors affecting its long-term accuracy, such as wear and calibration.
Dials: Heliochronometer, Equation of Time, How Sundials Work, Sundial Design & Layout
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 97
Page 97
This editorial discusses the valuable publicity gained for the British Sundial Society (BSS) from a story about the Wren dial at All Souls College, Oxford, appearing in the national press. It also comments on the varying quality of recent newspaper articles providing instructions for making paper sundials.
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 106
Page 106
The article announces the relocation of the UK's high-accuracy 60kHz radio signal, essential for radio-controlled clocks and sundial setting, from Rugby to Anthorn, Cumbria, in March 2007. The signal, previously known as The time from Rugby, will subsequently be referred to as The Time from NPL (National Physical Laboratory).
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 110
Page 110
This article describes the challenging recreation of a slate vertical declining dial by Negretti & Zambra after the original was severely damaged. The process involved meticulous replication of the design, adapting features for better readability (without gilding), and installing the new dial with modern, durable fixings while preserving the original gnomon.
Dials: Vertical, Restoration projects, Sundial Design & Layout
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 115
Page 115
The author expresses his frustration with unsightly drainpipes and other structural elements that frequently disfigure sundials, particularly mass dials. He presents numerous photographic examples from the UK and Europe, illustrating how these obstructions cast shadows or obscure dials, advocating for greater consideration from builders to protect these historical timepieces.
Dials: Vertical, Dials: Mass Dials
September 2006
Page 118
Page 118
This article recounts the personal project of designing and constructing a vertical declining sundial for a golden wedding anniversary. It details the use of both graphical and computational methods for accurate delineation, the choice of materials, the incorporation of a brass heart-shaped nodus, and discusses the dial's performance and an inscribed motto.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Vertical, Mottoes, Sundial Design & Layout
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 128
Page 128
This article provides comprehensive, practical procedures for calibrating and reinstalling Pilkington & Gibbs Helio-Chronometers. It covers essential steps such as precise levelling, accurate co-latitude setting, meridian alignment, and adjustments for the equation of time and longitude, offering detailed guidance for both Northern and Southern Hemisphere models, aimed at owners and restorers.
Dials: Heliochronometer, Equation of Time, Restoration projects, Sundial Design & Layout
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 fifth instalment in a series, this article applies vector methods to the specific challenge of delineating polar sundials. It presents the vector components for the shadow plane and declination lines, mathematically deriving the straight hour lines and hyperbolic declination lines.
Dials: Polar, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
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
September 2006
Page 140
Page 140
This article provides an update on the Horniman ceiling dial, a reflected sundial installed in a wooden building. It discusses ongoing monitoring and a recent recalibration due to timber movement. An innovative technique using a balloon to cast a shadow and make the light spot visible during low winter sun conditions is also highlighted.
Dials: Reflected, How Sundials Work
September 2006
Page 142
Page 142
This article introduces a user-friendly method for delineating vertical declining sundials using bespoke slide rule-like calculators. These tools determine equivalent latitude and longitude, simplifying the process by eliminating complex trigonometry. The article explains how to use these calculators with standard dialling scales to accurately plot hour and sub-style lines.
Dialling Tools, Dials: Vertical, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2006
Page 145
Page 145
The editorial summarises the results of a Readership Survey, noting the introduction of solar ephemeris data and ongoing work for new articles. It highlights the importance of BSS members identifying and proposing restoration for old sundials and draws attention to the BSS Grants Policy.
Restoration projects, The BSS and Members
December 2006
Page 146
Page 146
For an analemmatic sundial, the determination of the time of sunrise and sunset may be done using the intersection of Lambert circles with the ellipse of the sundial. However, this is practically difficult and the article explores a simpler solution using the intersection of a straight line and an ellipse.
Dials: Analemmatic, Mathematics of Dialling
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 156
Page 156
The British Medical Association has privately unveiled a memorial set up to commemorate the bus-bomb victims of 7th July 2005 and to celebrate the contribution of the doctors and others, who set up a field hospital in the BMA court-yard. The Tavistock Square dial takes the form of a substantial handengraved bronze horizontal dial standing on a simple Portland Stone plinth.
Dials: Horizontal
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 159
Page 159
The article reveals that sundial were often produced in batches or using templates to save time and cost. Evidence of this includes manufacturers reusing delineation designs, employing techniques like tilting dial plates to correct for different latitudes, and the presence of matching marks and "prick marks" on components of portable and ivory dials. This suggests a more standardised manufacturing process for many dials, especially from places like Augsburg, Nuremberg, and France.
Dials: Portable, Sundial Design & Layout
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 163
Page 163
The article describes how the hour lines, declination lines and the sub-style angle are calculated using vectors. There is a summary which includes the assumptions made and the limitations of the method.
Dials: Equatorial, Mathematics of Dialling
December 2006
Page 164
Page 164
Jill Wilson reports on a successful weekend course on 'Understanding Sundials' at Farncombe Estate. The curriculum covered the history of dialling, fundamental theory, design principles, practical delineation using various tools, and the practicalities of installing dials, with a focus on wall declinations. Attendees, from beginners to experienced diallists, gained new insights and appreciation for sundials.
How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout, The BSS and Members
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 171
Page 171
The featured dial can be found under Chirbury in the Shropshire section of the dial register. There are 11 component dials and it is sited at SJ272975 though it is not open to the public. On the west face is a scaphe dial above an anchor. Is it a horizontal dial on the top? It looks like an equatorial dial on the inclined face.
Dials: Multi Faced
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 177
Page 177
Tony Moss provides instructions for crafting replacement springs for Pilkington & Gibbs Helio-Chronometers. The article outlines using a rolling jig to shape half-hard brass, enhancing its properties through work-hardening and planishing. This ensures the springs function correctly, highlighting traditional metalworking techniques adapted for precise instrument repair.
Construction Projects, DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Heliochronometer
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 3
Page 3
Explores principles and types of moondials, including tabular, volvelle, graphical and adjustable designs. Analyses moon’s orbital motion, parallax, illumination, and visual limitations under moonlight. Proposes improvements to enhance accuracy towards that of simple sundials, and presents prototype experimental dials demonstrating refined timekeeping performance.
Dials: Nocturnals
March 2005
Page 13
Page 13
Details construction of a combined equatorial and equinoctial sundial using stacked car engine starter rings, cylindrical and brass components. Describes adjustable latitude setting and a novel gearing mechanism employing concentric eccentric spindles to apply the equation of time correction on two knobs, enabling mean time readings without manual calculation.
Dials: Equatorial, Construction Projects, Equation of Time
March 2005
Page 14
Page 14
Presents design of a vertical sundial adapted for flagpole installation, with dial furniture indicating sunrise and sunset signal times for hoisting and lowering the flag. Covers dial plate calibration for specific latitude, readability challenges under low contrast, and suggests precision improvements via vernier scales and solar-aligned sighting mechanisms.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Unusual
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 23
Page 23
Narrates the British Sundial Society’s 2004 tour of Italy, detailing visits to Rome, Florence and Ravenna. Highlights significant sundials and meridian installations, including the Palazzo Spada ceiling dial, Pantheon meridian, San Petronio line, the La Meridiana villa and private designs. Describes historical context, local hosts, and field observations of classical gnomonic art.
The BSS and Members
March 2005
Page 28
Page 28
Celebratory poem in the style of Lord Macaulay's "Horatius" honouring David Young’s organisational role in the Society’s Italian sundial tour. Names participants, guides and hosts, and recounts itinerary highlights in rhyming verse, blending humour and historical references to classical and modern sundials encountered on the journey.
The BSS and Members
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 33
Page 33
Announces the British Sundial Society’s affiliation with the Royal Astronomical Society. Outlines mutual benefits including library access, journal subscriptions, use of Burlington House facilities, membership collaborations and participation in RAS meetings. Emphasises enhanced status and shared resources for astronomical research and sundial study.
The BSS and Members
March 2005
Page 34
Page 34
Describes unveiling of a bronze casting of Sir Isaac Newton for the new sundial at Leicester University. Covers lost-wax casting, assembly of multiple bronze sections, dimensional realignment, and recalculation of hour and date lines for new geometry. Discusses site installation, setting for local latitude and polar alignment.
Construction Projects, Dials: Equatorial
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 36
Page 36
Introduces a novel ecliptic-aligned sundial for direct solar date indication on a linear scale. Describes aligning the dial plane with the ecliptic, date scale calibration, equation of date application, and improved prism-based design. Demonstrates lunar path visualization and usage for sun compass orientation.
Dials: Unusual, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
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 47
Page 47
Explains how direction cosines can be used to precisely design planar sundials. The method eliminates inaccuracies of graphical construction by calculating hour lines, declination lines, and style parameters mathematically, with examples for horizontal, vertical, and declining dials, and comparison with conventional calculation methods.
Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2005
Page 51
Page 51
Review of the 1633 Spanish carpentry manual ‘Carpinteria de lo Blanco’, which includes four chapters on sundial construction using graphical methods, plus a supplement on moon dials and latitude tables.
Book Reviews
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 60
Page 60
Accounts the design and installation of twin sundials—horizontal and vertical—on a basalt boulder at the Scots Hotel in Tiberias. Includes design features, analemmas, inscriptions, and collaborative process between designer and hotel staff.
Construction Projects, Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Vertical, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2005
Page 61
Page 61
A short, light-hearted poem likening the dandelion flower and seed head to a natural sundial, marking sunny hours by its bloom and dispersal of seeds.
Mottoes
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 63
Page 63
Letter recommending WinEphem software for calculating moon transit times useful for moondials. Notes features such as rise/set/transit data and accuracy for dialling purposes.
Dialling Tools, Dials: Nocturnals
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 65
Page 65
Review excerpt from the Dutch Sundial Society journal praising Mike Cowham’s ‘A Dial in Your Poke’ for unique insights into portable sundials, calendars, replicas, and restoration methods.
Book Reviews
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
June 2005
Page 75
Page 75
Observations about a photo in the Register that happens to capture a fly on a horizontal dial, echoing the flies often depicted on stained glass window dials.
Dials: Horizontal
June 2005
Page 77
Page 77
Suggestion of a "Top 10" of sundials in Wiltshire, highlighting their variety, locations, and historical interest.
The BSS and Members
June 2005
Page 78
Page 78
Short note describing an apparently south-facing vertical dial, that is likely accurately laid out for its small declination.
Dials: Vertical
June 2005
Page 78
Page 78
Announcement and results of the BSS photographic competition, showcasing notable sundial photography entries.
The BSS and Members
June 2005
Page 81
Page 81
Report on the BSS Annual Conference held at Royal Holloway College. Summarises lectures, visits, and activities from the event.
The BSS and Members
September 2005
Page 90
Page 90
A message from the editor introducing John Davis as the new Assistant Editor and encouraging members to submit their contributions to the bulletin. It also mentions the new roles of other members of the council.
The BSS and Members
September 2005
Page 91
Page 91
This article traces the history and invention of the analemma, a 'figure-of-eight' shaped curve that corrects for the equation of time on a sundial. It discusses the contributions of Jean-Paul Grandjean de Fouchy and Johann Philipp von Wurzelbau, and notes that the analemma first appeared in English publications in 1889.
Equation of Time
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 104
Page 104
Contains a series of letters from readers. Topics include a discussion on whether two shadows from the sun and moon can be seen simultaneously, a stained glass sundial in a church, and the origins of an equation of time table.
September 2005
Page 106
Page 106
The author describes the term 'lunar standstill' coined by Alexander Thom, as analogous to a solstice. The article explains how the moon's declination affects its rising and setting points and how this affects the reading of 'moon time' from a sundial.
Dials: Nocturnals
September 2005
Page 109
Page 109
This article details the 2005 British Sundial Society Open Award Scheme, outlining the judging criteria and listing the winners and their sundial projects. It describes the winning entries, which include a large vertical dial, a portable dial, and a set of equinoxial and solsticial dials.
The BSS and Members
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 121
Page 121
The author presents a new method for sundial delineation using vector methods and axis transformations to derive simple equations for plotting hour and declination lines. The article explains how shadow planes intersect a dial surface and provides examples of using this method for a horizontal sundial.
Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
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
September 2005
Page 130
Page 130
This article discusses a 1918 play that centres on some domestic conflict arising from a man championing a self-made sundial replacing and burying all the clocks in their house, considering it 'honest time'. The play includes accurate detail about sundials and the equation of time.
Book Reviews
September 2005
Page 132
Page 132
A review of the book 'Relojes de Piedra en Galicia (Stone Sundials of Galicia)' by José Luis Basanta, published in 2003. It identifies many sundials in Galicia and other regions of Spain, with many illustrations.
Book Reviews
December 2005
Page 134
Page 134
Describes the design and construction of a modern polyhedral sundial located in the author's garden in Rivington, Lancashire. The six-foot-tall dial is made from reconstituted stone and features a unique icosahedron-shaped head with twenty triangular dial plates, each with a brass gnomon. The design was inspired by dials in Wakefield and Marsden Park.
Construction Projects, DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Multi Faced, Sundial Design & Layout
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 155
Page 155
A reader poses a hypothetical question about the consequences for gnomonics if the Earth rotated in the opposite direction. He notes that sundial hour-line numerals would need to be reversed and invites other readers to submit lists of possible effects, offering a reward for the most comprehensive list.
How Sundials Work
December 2005
Page 156
Page 156
This report details the author's trip to the North American Sundial Society (NASS) conference in Chicago, August 2005. It covers tourist activities in the city, workshops held, the formal registration, meeting other sundial enthusiasts, and the bus tour to see local sundials, including the DuPage County Veterans’ Memorial Dial and the Henry Moore sundial.
The BSS and Members
December 2005
Page 158
Page 158
This technical article, "Part 2" of "Vector Delineation," presents mathematical equations for delineating vertical declining sundials. It focuses on deriving shadow plane vector components, hour lines, declination lines, sub-style angle, and gnomon angle using trigonometric functions. The article demonstrates how these calculations can be implemented for computer-aided design of sundials.
Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2005
Page 159
Page 159
This review covers Tony Moss's PowerPoint CD-ROM "Sundial Presentations," which includes "Concepts for Students of Sundialling" and "Using and Understanding Sundials." It praises the CD for its clear, animated slides explaining basic sundial concepts, theory, alignment of gnomons, differences between clock and sun time, and the analemma, making it useful for beginners and lecturers.
Book Reviews, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
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 168
Page 168
This report describes the BSS Newbury meeting on September 24, 2005, attended by 48 enthusiasts. The program included talks on 17th-century stained-glass sundial maker Baptist Sutton, spreadsheets and CAD for dial setting, museum surveys, and origami equatorial sundials. Exhibits featured sunspot observations, Mike Cowham's new book, high-quality sundial work, and intricate Meccano mechanisms.
The BSS and Members
December 2005
Page 170
Page 170
This article details the design and construction of a sundial for the Elias Fries School in Hyltebruk, Sweden. The sundial, made from a large stone cut in half, features a polar-axis aligned shadow pin and a dial plate raised 20 degrees from the ground. It is designed to be an artistic and educational tool demonstrating the sun's daily and seasonal movements without indicating precise clock time.
Construction Projects, Dials: Horizontal, 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
December 2005
Page 175
Page 175
This piece highlights four unusual sundials at the University of Leicester campus. It features a two-meter-high "Eye of Time" noon mark, a modern sculptural piece indicating both time of year and day via an analemma. Also mentioned are John Davis's "Newton" dial and two matching vertical declining dials in Westmoreland slate, one showing equal hours and the other seasonal hours.
Dials: Noon Lines, Dials: Unusual, Dials: Vertical
March 2004
Page 3
Page 3
This article announces Sir Mark Lennox-Boyd as the new Patron of the British Sundial Society, succeeding the late Earl of Perth. It details Sir Mark's background, including his education, parliamentary career, and long-standing interest in sundials, noting his design achievements like the Holker Hall scaphe sundial. His diverse interests and expertise are presented as qualifications for this role.
The BSS and Members
March 2004
Page 4
Page 4
Explores methods to improve the precision of reading sundials, addressing the problem of the penumbra (fuzzy shadow) caused by the sun's finite disc. It discusses various gnomon designs, such as annular gnomons for noon marks, thin rod gnomons, and pinhole or taut wire gnomons, which create sharper shadows for more accurate time-telling.
Dials: Noon Lines, Dials: Portable, How Sundials Work, Sundial Design & Layout
March 2004
Page 6
Page 6
This article describes a millennium sundial project in Holyport, Berkshire, featuring a unique cricketing theme due to the village's history with the sport. Designed by Edwin Russell with cricketer sculptures by Lorne McKean, the dial includes hand-made 'quint' bricks, a time capsule, and hour lines delineated for summer time.
Construction Projects, Dials: Unusual, 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 14
Page 14
This article details the design and construction of an analemmatic sundial for the Queen's Golden Jubilee, located in Old Palace Yard, opposite the House of Lords. It covers the challenges of designing for a cambered surface, the selection of stone from UK countries, the prominent Shakespearean inscription, and the intricate process of determining the scale of dates for the dial.
Construction Projects, Dials: Analemmatic, Sundial Design & Layout
March 2004
Page 18
Page 18
The author describes the rediscovery of a spherical sundial in a garden rockery in Ilkley, Yorkshire. Though eroded, the dial's equatorial line and Roman numerals were visible. The article notes its previous location and the commonality of such dials on gateposts, suggesting a possible need for closer examination of stone balls in similar settings.
Dials: Unusual
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 25
Page 25
This is a transcription of an obituary for Mrs. Alfred Gatty, originally published in the Illustrated London News. It details her life as a respected author of children's literature, a daughter of Lord Nelson's chaplain, and her various published works, including "The Fairy Godmothers," "Parables from Nature," "British Seaweeds," and "The Book of Sun-Dials."
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 31
Page 31
This editorial note covers various topics including an upcoming seminar on "Venus Observed," apologies for errors in the previous December Bulletin, and an announcement about a new booklet on "Guernsey Sundials" by David and Dorothy LeConte. It also mentions the accessibility of this booklet at the BSS Annual Conference.
Book Reviews, The BSS and Members
March 2004
Page 32
Page 32
This is a review of the booklet "Time" by Silke Ackerman and Paul Buck. It praises the booklet's clear and concise presentation of time measurement, including sundials, stars, sand-glasses, water-clocks, and watches. The review highlights its appeal to young readers, inclusion of cut-out models for equatorial sundials and nocturnals, and the provided compass for orientation.
Book Reviews, DIY Sundial Projects
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
March 2004
Page 36
Page 36
This report describes a successful British Sundial Society display at a Fair in Tynemouth's Victorian railway station. The BSS stall showcased various dials, captivating visitors and generating interest, ultimately being remarked upon for overshadowing the station's newly restored clock, symbolising the enduring appeal of sundials.
The BSS and Members
March 2004
Page 38
Page 38
This article details the practical limitations and achievable accuracies when using a magnetic compass to determine true north, especially for diallists. It explains how Earth's magnetic field variations, crustal and external influences, and man-made objects affect compass readings, and provides methods, including online tools, for accurate magnetic variation calculation to assist sundial alignment.
Dialling Tools
March 2004
Page 42
Page 42
This article introduces a historical etching of a planisphere, an abstract representation of the globe showing time differences across various geographical locations relative to Hamburg's meridian. The author discusses its potential dating, its explicit mention of "sacrilegious art" in relation to sundials, and the varying accuracy of its geographical entries, inviting further information.
June 2004
Page 46
Page 46
Opening commentary introducing the issue, summarising notable society events and articles, and reflecting on the Oxford AGM and its sundial displays.
The BSS and Members
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 49
Page 49
Survey of two modern horizontal sundials in Greece: one at St. Pantelehemon's church in Kaki Thalassa and another in Lavrio's central square, with historical, geographical, and design details.
Dials: Horizontal
June 2004
Page 53
Page 53
Step-by-step account of designing and building a cylindrical azimuthal mean time dial with mechanical correction application, including prototype testing and accuracy assessment.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout
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 64
Page 64
Update on sundials along the Centrovalli railway between Domodossola and Locarno, noting that there are over a hundred examples and highlighting three designs on public buildings.
Dials: Vertical
June 2004
Page 65
Page 65
Description of a modern handcrafted brass planispheric astrolabe set for Craveggia’s latitude, with detailed specifications, functions, and star chart data.
Dials: Astrolabe
June 2004
Page 69
Page 69
Discussion on the challenges of aligning large sundials to true north, focussing on accuracy and discrepancies in tools to calculate solar azimuth
Dialling Tools, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2004
Page 73
Page 73
Official minutes from the 2004 AGM held at St Anne’s College, Oxford, including officer reports, motions, and society business.
The BSS and Members
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 79
Page 79
June 2004
Page 80
Page 80
Summary of the society’s 15th anniversary conference in Oxford, including lectures, workshops, and site visits.
The BSS and Members
June 2004
Page 84
Page 84
Reviews of GUERNSEY SUNDIALS by David and Dorothy Le Conte and BSS SUNDIAL GLOSSARY, SECOND EDITION, editor John Davies.
Book Reviews
June 2004
Page 85
Page 85
Review of a sundial-related video, discussing its content, production quality, and usefulness.
The BSS and Members
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
June 2004
Page 88
Page 88
Short piece with three photos of the Blenheim Palace sundial, referencing its role in the Oxford AGM events.
Dials: Horizontal
September 2004
Page 91
Page 91
Description and design of an equatorial ‘vial’ ring dial that combines a planisphere with a sundial. Uses a spirit-level alidade and a rotating outer ring to read local apparent time for any longitude, and to estimate sunrise, sunset and the locus of solar midnight across longitudes.
Dials: Equatorial, How Sundials Work, Sundial Design & Layout
September 2004
Page 96
Page 96
Account of discovering four large vertical dials on an octagonal cupola, surveying gnomon positions, choosing vitreous-enamel steel faces, manufacturing setbacks (overseas enamelling) and the final installation with alignment and conservation choices.
Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Vertical, Restoration projects
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 103
Page 103
Description of a multi-plane stone dial ensemble that shows Babylonian and Italian hours by day and acts as a moon dial at night; discusses decorative Earth/moon motifs, orientation relative to local and Basel reference planes and how the lunar readout is used.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual, How Sundials Work
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 116
Page 116
Review of C.St.J.H. Daniel: Sundials: scope, illustration quality, intended audience and strengths/weaknesses for both newcomers and diallists.
Book Reviews
September 2004
Page 118
Page 118
Report of a ceremonial unveiling of a new equatorial sundial: description of the dial type, event context and public/promotional aspects of the installation.
Dials: Equatorial, The BSS and Members
September 2004
Page 120
Page 120
Travelogue describing a visit to several Austrian dials and analysis of two questionable/atypical examples.
Dials: Vertical
September 2004
Page 122
Page 122
Technical article on computing the Sun’s position for dial work: includes input/output examples (SUNAZALT style), azimuth/altitude tables and worked examples relevant to gnomonic layout and correction calculations.
Mathematics of Dialling
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 146
Page 146
Practical method using a 24-hour equatorial template to transfer hour lines to arbitrary surfaces. Demonstrates template folding for latitude, a Cambridge horizontal example, spherical and heart-shaped scaphe dials, marking equinox/solstice lines and gives practical tips on template rigidity and common pitfalls.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Scaphe, How Sundials Work, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2004
Page 152
Page 152
Report from the 10th NASS conference (Tenafly, NJ). Summarises presentations and demonstrations on sundial education, laser trigon techniques, CAD/3D modelling for dial manufacture, archaeological finds, spiral equatorial and portable dials, and highlights from delegates and exhibits.
The BSS and Members
December 2004
Page 155
Page 155
Collected short letters and notes from members: observations, corrections, market finds, queries and brief commentary on previously published items. Practical tips, small discoveries and member replies to recent Bulletin articles.
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 160
Page 160
Account of a commissioned engraved glass sundial created for a golden wedding anniversary. The gnomon is replaced with an aperture on the outer window, illuminating the dial on the engraved inner pane of glass. Covers design choices, layout and the inclusion of equation-of-time/longitude correction features, installation notes and the personal significance of the dedication.
Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout
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 170
Page 170
Review of a A Dial in your Poke: a book of portable sundials by Mike Cowham: evaluates scope, scholarship, illustrations and usefulness to collectors and researchers; identifies strengths and limitations and recommends suitable audiences.
Book Reviews
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
December 2004
Page 173
Page 173
Report on the Newbury 2004 meeting: activities, practical demonstrations and visits carried out despite adverse weather, with notes on attendance, exhibits and plans for future Newbury meetings.
The BSS and Members
March 2003
Page 2
Page 2
Introduction to the issue’s themes, including dials and meridian lines in Europe, and the upcoming publication of a historical index of sundial makers.
March 2003
Page 3
Page 3
Analysis of John Constable’s paintings using principles of sundial geometry to determine whether the rainbows depicted are optically accurate and temporally consistent.
How Sundials Work
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 14
Page 14
Review of 'Time Lord: Sir Sandford Fleming and the Creation of Standard Time', examining the historical development of global standard time.
Book Reviews, Equation of Time
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 17
Page 17
Follow-up on sundials along the Centrovalli railway line in Northern Italy, including new photographs and credit to designer Giacomo Bonzani.
Dials: Unusual, Dials: Vertical
March 2003
Page 20
Page 20
Correction and image for a previously published article on the Akeler Sundial at Marlow, showing its garden setting.
Dials: Equatorial, Sundial Design & Layout
March 2003
Page 20
Page 20
Continuation of the society’s early history, covering administrative developments from June 1990 to April 1991, including Andrew Somerville’s death and transition to new leadership.
The BSS and Members
March 2003
Page 24
Page 24
Annual round-up of notable sundials discovered or reported in 2002, highlighting interesting examples and unusual features.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual
March 2003
Page 28
Page 28
Announcements, corrections, and editorial notes including photos, upcoming meetings, and publishing logistics.
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 32
Page 32
Entertaining overview of the historical and cultural circumstances surrounding the invention of daylight saving time.
March 2003
Page 33
Page 33
Method for determining the declination of a sundial using shadow observations and calculations, useful for dating or assessing alignment.
How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling
March 2003
Page 35
Page 35
Survey of modern educational sundials installed at observatories in Slovakia and Germany, designed with scientific and pedagogical aims.
Dials: Vertical
March 2003
Page 37
Page 37
Excerpt of a historical text by William Leybourn describing an unusual method of laying out a dial from empirical marking of timed shadows.
Mathematics of Dialling
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
March 2003
Page 43
Page 43
Obituary for the Society’s Patron, acknowledging his contributions to the BSS and interest in sundials.
The BSS and Members
June 2003
Page 46
Page 46
This issue of the Bulletin of the British Sundial Society discusses the versatility of sundials in the context of both art and science. It highlights a featured article on a Henry Wynne double horizontal dial and apologises for the late publication of the issue.
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 58
Page 58
This article explores the concept of creating a sundial for the visually impaired. It reviews historical attempts, such as one by the 17th-century Jesuit priest Francis Hall, and discusses modern approaches that use the heat of the sun rather than visible light.
Construction Projects, DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2003
Page 61
Page 61
A collection of letters from readers discussing various topics, including a churchyard sundial at Hernhill, correcting an article on Piazzi and his meridian line, and a historical sundial pillar at Little Wenlock.
June 2003
Page 63
Page 63
A description of a portable celestial ring dial design. The article discusses the dial's functionality, its use of celestial bodies, and the construction details including the gnomon and other features.
Construction Projects, Sundial Design & Layout
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 73
Page 73
This note from the chairman thanks Dr. John Lester for crafting and presenting a gavel to the Society. It describes the gavel's construction from cherry and padauk woods and its clever design.
The BSS and Members
June 2003
Page 74
Page 74
Two review of a book published by the British Sundial Society: 'Biographical Index of British Sundial Makers from the Seventh Century to 1920' by Jill Wilson.
Book Reviews
June 2003
Page 76
Page 76
A summary of the British Sundial Society's Annual Conference at Yarnfield. The report covers various talks and workshops, including one on electrochemical hazards to sundials, a presentation on a pilgrim route, and one on unusual sundial designs.
The BSS and Members
June 2003
Page 78
Page 78
The official minutes from the 14th Annual General Meeting of the British Sundial Society. It covers reports from council members and specialists, election of officers, and other society business.
The BSS and Members
June 2003
Page 83
Page 83
A financial report detailing the accounts for the British Sundial Society for the year ending on December 31, 2002.
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 90
Page 90
This editorial introduces several articles, including one on fakes and forgeries, and another on the origin of trigonometric terms. It also mentions a spherical sundial and a Benoy Dial. The issue reminds readers of past events, like the founding of the North American Sundial Society, and upcoming events like a BSS design competition.
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 96
Page 96
Based on a talk at the BSS Annual Conference, this article traces the origins of trigonometry back to ancient Egypt and the 'rope stretchers' who used a 3,4,5 triangle to define right angles. It then moves on to the Greeks, specifically Pythagoras, and the Arabs, who are credited with preserving and developing trigonometry for astronomy.
Mathematics of Dialling
September 2003
Page 100
Page 100
This article describes and analyses a unique marble frieze from ancient Athens which is believed to be a calendar. The calendar is a significant find for astronomers and archaeologists, as it provides information about ancient Greek calendars, including a system of five seasons.
September 2003
Page 104
Page 104
This note from the editor discusses the British Sundial Society's five-yearly awards for the design, construction, and restoration of sundials. It encourages professionals, amateurs, and young people to apply, and also mentions a request for reciprocal arrangements with overseas sundial societies to exchange journals.
The BSS and Members
September 2003
Page 104
Page 104
This article re-examines the Morvah church sundial in Cornwall. The author finds that the dial was incorrectly laid out, possibly because the latitude was used where the co-latitude was needed in the design. He expresses alarm that this might be a common issue with Cornish church sundials.
Dials: Vertical, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
September 2003
Page 108
Page 108
The first part of an article on a unique 'New Optical Dial' invented by W. Gordon Benoy. It's a sundial that tells time with a beam of light rather than a shadow. The article describes its construction, its weight, and some technical details including using a glass cylinder filled with water containing anti-freeze.
Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Unusual
September 2003
Page 110
Page 110
A collection of letters from readers. Topics include a thank you for information on sundial makers for the 'Biographical Index of British Sundial Makers,' and some pub dial sightings.
The BSS and Members
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 119
Page 119
A review of four volumes of the Compendium, the journal of the North American Sundial Society (NASS). The review summarises articles on gnomonic modes, a sundial made of ropes, a millennium dial in a girl's school, a review of a Jefferson dial, a community analemmatic dial in Alaska, and a discussion of the Jaipur Sundial's penumbra at noon.
September 2003
Page 122
Page 122
This article details the design and construction of an armillary octahedron, a complex sundial structure. It describes the process of making the intersecting V shapes and the challenges of assembly due to thermal expansion.
Construction Projects, Dials: Unusual
September 2003
Page 124
Page 124
An article describing a large horizontal sundial made of stainless steel for Melton Mowbray Rotary Club. It highlights the dial's features, including an explanatory plaque with instructions on how to read the dial and correct for 'watch time' using the equation of time.
Construction Projects, Dials: Horizontal
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
September 2003
Page 129
Page 129
This article features two sundials with a transportation theme. One is a west-facing dial on a house in Warminster with hour lines that look like railway sleepers, and the other is a photo of a penny-farthing cyclist outside a cycle museum.
Dials: Unusual, Dials: Vertical
September 2003
Page 129
Page 129
A description of a new vertical dial at St John's Church, Ruardean, Gloucestershire. It is believed to be the only church dial to commemorate the Queen's Golden Jubilee and bear the Royal Cipher 'E II R'. The author also notes the process involved in its design and approval.
Construction Projects, Dials: Vertical
September 2003
Page 131
Page 131
This short article describes a new armillary sphere located in Peterborough's Equinox Park.
Dials: Armillary Sphere
December 2003
Page 134
Page 134
Introductory remarks covering the issue's mix of science, history, and construction, and highlighting the Cornwall sundial tour.
December 2003
Page 135
Page 135
A comprehensive study of how the Equation of Time has been represented on sundials from 1672 to the 20th century, analysing data sources, engraving methods, and dating implications.
Equation of Time
December 2003
Page 144
Page 144
An account of the conception and development of a helical sundial known as 'The Druid', highlighting the innovation of the 'Smart Shadow' and construction techniques.
Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout, DIY Sundial Projects
December 2003
Page 145
Page 145
Extracts and commentary from a 1940 British military manual on map reading, with practical relevance for aligning sundials using compass and astronomical techniques.
December 2003
Page 147
Page 147
A puzzle for entertainment featuring 40 sundial types hidden in a word grid. Solving reveals a hidden message.
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 149
Page 149
An account of the 2003 Newbury meeting, covering talks, exhibits, musical interlude, and member sundial projects, including declination finding, software modelling, and new dial types.
The BSS and Members
December 2003
Page 152
Page 152
Short obituary for Tony Baigent, acknowledging his contribution to sundial education and outreach.
The BSS and Members
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 160
Page 160
Brief reviews or summaries of sundial-related articles appearing in international journals, with commentary relevant to BSS readers.
December 2003
Page 162
Page 162
Contributions from members on a variety of sundial-related topics, offering observations, queries, and follow-ups.
The BSS and Members
December 2003
Page 165
Page 165
Travel report from the BSS Cornwall tour, describing dials visited, local history, scenic highlights, and member experiences.
The BSS and Members
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
December 2003
Page 171
Page 171
December 2003
Page 175
Page 175
Continuation of a discussion of an innovative dial, focussing light through a cylinder onto an equatorial dial plate
Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Unusual
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 4
Page 4
Describes the design and creation of a unique sundial featuring a statue of Newton holding a prism, inspired by his optical work and historic dials at Woolsthorpe.
Construction Projects, Dials: Polar, Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout
March 2002
Page 7
Page 7
Explains the design of a novel sundial based on Samuel Foster's 17th-century concepts, with modern adaptations and detailed geometry, incorporating latitude, longitude, equation of time and daylight savings time adjustments.
Dials: Horizontal, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling
March 2002
Page 14
Page 14
Review of 'La Gnomonique' by Denis Savoie, a detailed and technical guide to sundial construction methods.
Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
March 2002
Page 17
Page 17
Accessible derivation of the EoT formula using orbital eccentricity and axial tilt, with historical and mathematical context.
Equation of Time, Mathematics of Dialling
March 2002
Page 20
Page 20
Details the conception, design, carving, and installation of a slate commemorative sundial for Richard Towneley.
Construction Projects, Dials: Vertical
March 2002
Page 24
Page 24
Describes observations and reflections on plotting day length (sunset - sunrise) vs time of noon for various locations in the UK and various dates.
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 28
Page 28
Second part of a historical account of the BSS's origins, early figures, and development as an organisation.
The BSS and Members
March 2002
Page 32
Page 32
Describes a simple sundial formed purely by the hands, giving approximate time and direction towards north.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Portable, Dials: Unusual
March 2002
Page 35
Page 35
Overview of the design and historical use of various horary quadrants.
Dialling Tools, Historical Dials
March 2002
Page 39
Page 39
Explores dials intended to show the date rather than the time, by reading the shadow of an equinoctial ring on a scale on the stile.
Dials: Polar, Dials: Unusual, How Sundials Work
March 2002
Page 41
Page 41
Suggests addition of vertical 'fences' to a horizontal dial to increase the legibility of the shadow for early and late hours.
How Sundials Work, Sundial Design & Layout
March 2002
Page 42
Page 42
March 2002
Page 42
Page 42
An excerpt from a book, with reflections on the difficulty understanding the ecliptic, the solar day and the sidereal day, and their use in maritime navigation.
March 2002
Page 44
Page 44
Describes a noon mark dial with a lens at the aperture, projecting a bright spot on an analemma inscribed on a semicircular scale.
Sundial Design & Layout, Construction Projects, Equation of Time, Dials: Noon Lines
June 2002
Page 45
Page 45
Describes the design and construction of a modern wall-mounted sundial using traditional techniques for the National Museums of Scotland.
Dials: Vertical, Sundial Design & Layout
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 50
Page 50
An investigation into the analemma and equation of time as it would appear on Mars, using NASA data and proposing calendar models for Martian colonists.
Equation of Time
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 61
Page 61
Review of cardboard sundial kits by SunWatch Verlag, assessing their educational value and design.
Book Reviews
June 2002
Page 61
Page 61
June 2002
Page 62
Page 62
A report on the BSS exhibition at the RAS President’s Reception, including participation and interest in sundials.
The BSS and Members
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 67
Page 67
Study of a Greek sundial gifted to Epidaurus by the Japanese town of Nishiki, exploring ancient cross-cultural astronomical instrumentation.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual
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 71
Page 71
June 2002
Page 72
Page 72
An account of the creation and community involvement in erecting a new sundial in a public woodland area.
Dials: Analemmatic
June 2002
Page 74
Page 74
Discussion of geometric methods for determining wall orientation for accurate dial design.
Dialling Tools
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 81
Page 81
Examines a rare compass designed by Harrison, with discussion of its function and potential sundial applications.
Dialling Tools, Dials: Portable
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
June 2002
Page 85
Page 85
Technical description of a dial type that uses azimuth angle to determine mean time, with design suggestions.
Dials: Heliochronometer, Dials: Horizontal, Sundial Design & Layout
September 2002
Page 90
Page 90
Commentary on the need for an author-title index for the Bulletin and suggestions for a subject index to facilitate information retrieval.
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 93
Page 93
A report on the 2002 BSS annual conference, summarising talks, excursions, and events including presentations by international members and sundial exhibitions.
The BSS and Members
September 2002
Page 95
Page 95
Official record of the 2002 AGM including reports from officers and specialists, covering projects, events, finances, and future plans.
The BSS and Members
September 2002
Page 101
Page 101
Summary of the meeting regarding adoption of a new Society constitution, including approval process and background.
The BSS and Members
September 2002
Page 104
Page 104
Travelogue of the BSS tour of Austria led by Walter Hofmann, visiting monasteries, public dials, and craftspeople; rich in descriptions of painted and sculptural dials.
Dials: Portable, Dials: Unusual, Dials: Vertical, The BSS and Members
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 121
Page 121
Short reviews of recently published books on sundials, including portable dials and historical studies. Cornish Church Sundials by Len Burge An Introduction to the history of timekeeping - The Leicester Time-trail by Allan Mills Sundials at Greenwich edited by Hester Higton
Book Reviews
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
September 2002
Page 131
Page 131
Proposal for a design enhancement to the azimuth dial, aiming to improve readability and construction precision.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual
September 2002
Page 132
Page 132
Supplemental photos from the Austria 2002 sundial tour, complementing the earlier article by Frank Evans.
Dials: Vertical, The BSS and Members
December 2002
Page 134
Page 134
Overview of the issue's contents, highlighting a wide variety of sundials in size and age, including a moondial, a clepsydra, and innovative new 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 138
Page 138
Readers contribute thoughts on 20th century dial innovations, Greek numeral errors, personal anecdotes involving declination lines, and glossary terminology.
December 2002
Page 141
Page 141
Description of an interactive, educational sundial model representing Earth and showing local apparent time, sunrise/sunset, solar declination, and more.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Equatorial, How Sundials Work
December 2002
Page 143
Page 143
Updates on binders, a missing dial, corrections, announcements, and upcoming horological events.
December 2002
Page 144
Page 144
Humorous yet insightful reflection on the fallibility of domestic clocks versus the dependability of sundials, ending with a challenge to design a regulating system.
The BSS and Members
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 146
Page 146
Detailed account of the design, relocation, and symbolism of Edwin Russell’s large equatorial dial now installed in Marlow, including technical specifications.
Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Polar
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 155
Page 155
Practical notes and personal experiences regarding securely mounting a gnomon (style) on vertical walls, with attention to accuracy and materials.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Vertical
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 157
Page 157
Report on the BSS Newbury meeting with exhibition and presentations, featuring inventive sundials including artistic and portable models.
The BSS and Members
December 2002
Page 161
Page 161
Brief note on a modern artistic reflective sundial design named 'Helios'
Dials: Reflected, Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2002
Page 162
Page 162
Exploration of an ancient Greek water clock (clepsydra) discovered in Athens, with historical context and interpretation of its components.
December 2002
Page 167
Page 167
Announcement and brief description of a sundial installed in a school setting, promoting educational and public engagement.
Dials: Horizontal, Restoration projects
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 170
Page 170
Compact design for a small-scale analemmatic sundial suitable for indoor or portable use, with layout guidance.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Analemmatic
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 3
Page 3
This article explores the history of time measurement, beginning with ancient civilizations like the Sumerians and their development of calendars. It discusses the challenges in harmonizing civil timekeeping with astronomy, including sidereal and solar years, and the division of days into hours. The article also covers the Roman and early Christian calendars, highlighting their inaccuracies and the historical attempts to reform them, such as the Julian and Gregorian calendars and the fixing of Easter.
March 2001
Page 9
Page 9
This article details the design and delineation of a reflective ceiling dial at the Horniman Museum, inspired by a sundial trail lecture. It sets out the mathematical formulation for determining coordinates on the dial, explaining how it relates to an equivalent declining, reclining dial. The authors emphasize that reflective dials are not inherently more complex to delineate than other planar sundials, providing formulas for angle and length calculations, and tables of coordinates for various times and declinations.
Construction Projects, Dials: Reflected
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
March 2001
Page 15
Page 15
Derives a mathematical method of determining the optimum distance from which to view or photograph a vertical dial, and provides a nomogram to help calculate this distance based on the dial's dimensions and height.
Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
March 2001
Page 16
Page 16
The design and installation of the Pembroke College Wall Dial, emphasizing an uncluttered design and prominent nodus for clear time estimation. It highlights a unique coincidence for Cambridge students cycling past, aligning with lecture times. The article details the construction process, including the sealing of the mounting assembly and the replacement of missing stone, ensuring durability. It also mentions AT&T Research Laboratory's digital camera monitoring for shadow detection.
Construction Projects, Dials: Vertical
March 2001
Page 22
Page 22
This report details the Newbury 2000 event, a British Sundial Society gathering showcasing various sundial exhibits. Highlights include John Moir's rainbow and bifilar dials, a cycloidal dial, and Piers Nicholson's prototype horizontal dial with accurate alignment features. Tony Wood presented "3 Cheap and Dials" and updated on the mass dial register. Peter Ransom displayed sundial-themed items, and David Young showed eclipse phenomena. The event concluded with an award for the Make a Sundial competition.
The BSS and Members
March 2001
Page 25
Page 25
March 2001
Page 25
Page 25
A. F. Baigent's piece reflects on the "BSS SUNDIAL GLOSSARY," having 'tested' the glossary on six guinea pig subjects for their understanding of 20 words from the glossary. He suggests improvements such as additional tables for equation of time and sun declination, plus more diagrams. The author acknowledges John Davis's hard work on the glossary.
Book Reviews
March 2001
Page 32
Page 32
Instructions for making a simple horizontal garden sundial using copying and laminating techniques. It offers a basic design computed for latitude 52.5°N, longitude zero, and explains how to adjust it for different locations by tilting.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Horizontal
March 2001
Page 38
Page 38
Describes the creation of a mosaic sundial for Ebrington, Gloucestershire, as a Millennium celebration project. Initially planned for the churchyard, it was relocated due to committee concerns. The final design features a mosaic pavement with a parish map, brass lettering, global coordinates, and a sidereal sundial marked in hours and half-hours. The article details the design and construction process, aiming for a permanent and unique village monument.
Construction Projects, Dials: Horizontal
March 2001
Page 41
Page 41
Describes a Nottinghamshire County Council competition for schools to mark the Millennium, with sundials as prizes. The author was consulted on the design, choosing an updated ancient hemicyclium: a hemispherical bowl on a plinth, with a rod gnomon. The ceramic dials, crafted by Danel Sherlock, feature hour, equinox, and solstice lines. A booklet guides setup and reading, hoping the dials will serve as useful learning tools for the winning schools.
Construction Projects, Dials: Hemispherical
March 2001
Page 42
Page 42
This article explores the "Universal Equinoctial" sundial, highlighting its significance as the emblem of the British Sundial Society. It discusses the historical context and design principles of this type of sundial, explaining its functionality and why it was chosen to represent the BSS.
Dials: Equatorial, Sundial Design & Layout, The BSS and Members
March 2001
Page 44
Page 44
This obituary commemorates the life and contributions of Peter Lamont, a member of the British Sundial Society.
The BSS and Members
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 56
Page 56
John Davis introduces his design for a flexible, wallet-sized gnomon protractor, aimed at overcoming difficulties in measuring gnomon angles on buttressed sundials. The device expands the scale for better precision within typical UK angles and can be photocopied by readers to create their own. He details its construction from laminated paper and auxiliary scales.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dialling Tools
June 2001
Page 58
Page 58
David Young, a founding member, provides a personal account of the British Sundial Society's formation and early years. He traces the resurgence of interest in sundials, early discussions among key figures like Christopher Daniel and Andrew Somerville, and the eventual decision to form an independent society, detailing the initial planning and membership growth.
The BSS and Members
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 65
Page 65
Describes the Uttoxeter Millennium Monument, a large stone disc featuring a solar system theme and an armillary sundial. Conceived to inspire exploration and celebrate the town, it incorporates local craftsmanship, planetary representations, and embedded plaques documenting its creation and sponsors. A time capsule is also concealed within the monument.
Construction Projects, Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Unusual
June 2001
Page 67
Page 67
Mike Shaw details his innovative two-component sundial system, comprising an equatorial collector in the garden and a remote display unit indoors, linked by fibre optics. Designed to overcome the need to go outside to read time and simplify the display, the article describes its construction, addressing material challenges and light-gathering techniques.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Unusual
June 2001
Page 73
Page 73
The article presents the Stardial, an innovative device functioning as an equatorial sundial by day and a simplified astrolabe by night. Designed for simplicity, accuracy, and originality, it enables automatic conversion from local solar time to clock time and provides methods for precise time-telling using bright stars and even the moon.
Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Unusual, Dials: Astrolabe, DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Nocturnals
June 2001
Page 77
Page 77
Michael Hickman introduces a non-mathematical method for designing analemmatic sundials using Weir's Azimuth Diagram. He explains how this navigational tool can be adapted to plot hour points and declination scales for dial design without complex trigonometry, making the process accessible to a broader audience.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Analemmatic, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
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
June 2001
Page 82
Page 82
John Foad proposes new categories for sundials designed to prevent rain accumulation: the "Laid Dial," a reclining dial with an "Angle of Lie," and the "Rain Dial", featuring a conical raised centre. He discusses the practical advantages of these forms in preserving dial plates and enhancing readability, and the pleasing play on words.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2001
Page 83
Page 83
W.S. Maddux describes precise techniques for accurately establishing a true north-south line, essential for sundial installation. He outlines two methods using a plumb line and its shadow: one for general alignment and another for achieving high precision, detailing practical steps for observing and marking the meridian.
Dialling Tools, Sundial Design & Layout
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 96
Page 96
A collector shares his hobby of gathering sundial-related stamps, a more affordable alternative to actual dials. The article features examples from East Germany, Austria, and The Netherlands. A comprehensive list of sundial stamps from various countries and years is provided.
September 2001
Page 99
Page 99
A report on the well-attended BSS conference in York. Topics included Leicester"s Millennium Time Trail, the discovery of early wooden dials in Ipswich, Samuel Foster's graphical dialling techniques, and the restoration of astrolabes and sundials at Oxford's Museum of the History of Science. Tours of local sundials, an auction, and discussions on unusual dials and polar dial design were also featured.
The BSS and Members
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 113
Page 113
Describes a modern, three-dimensional noon mark sculpture in Portland stone, with analemma. It indicates both the instant of mean-time noon and the time of year by projecting a spot of sunlight onto an incised analemma. This design is believed to be the first of its kind that is 3-dimensional.
Dials: Noon Lines, Dials: Unusual, Equation of Time
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
September 2001
Page 123
Page 123
This second part details using stereographic projection for graphical design of declining and reclining vertical, and double horizontal sundials. It explains how to determine sub-style angles and style heights, and how the projection can cover full 24-hour periods. The article also covers William Oughtred"s "Horizontal Instrument" and Blagrave"s "Mathematical Jewel" as related applications.
Dials: Double Horizontal, Dials: Vertical, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
September 2001
Page 127
Page 127
An armillary sundial, commemorating the Millennium, was recently unveiled in Cheadle, Cheshire. Designed and made by local blacksmith Jim Plant from iron cart-wheel tires, it also honours astronomer Miss Mary Adela Blagg. The sundial's unveiling was attended by BSS President Sir Francis Graham-Smith.
Construction Projects, Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Unusual
September 2001
Page 127
Page 127
Originally published in "The Countryman" in 1948, this article describes a highly accurate horizontal sundial built by the author while interned in a Japanese camp in China. Constructed from scrap materials using improvised tools and limited references, this unique dial provided correct clock time with built-in Equation of Time correction, serving as the camp's only reliable timepiece.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual, Equation of Time
September 2001
Page 129
Page 129
This article discusses an inexpensive armillary sundial widely advertised as "Classic Art For Your Garden" but designed for Latitude 38° N. It explains how to modify such a dial for correct use in the UK (approx. 52° N) by tilting its main body or by physically removing and reattaching elements, enabling it to indicate local solar time.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Equatorial
September 2001
Page 130
Page 130
This article presents the design for a horizontal sundial usable anywhere in the UK to show GMT, requiring only a slight tilt adjustment for specific latitudes. It employs a gnomon rod mounted at a 53-degree angle and concentric circles on the dial plate represent different longitudes. A formula for calculating hour lines is provided.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Horizontal, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
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 156
Page 156
This report covers the well-attended BSS meeting at Newbury. Presentations included astronomy software, 'Spot-on-Sundial' development, and a 'Sundial Seekers Companion' kit. Updates were given on dial restoration. Exhibitions showcased diverse designs, including a rainbow dial, a hemispherical dial made from a bird feeder, and an electronic biscuit box sundial. Various other dials, a nocturnal, and calendars were also displayed.
Dials: Unusual, Restoration projects, Sundial Design & Layout, 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 12
Page 12
Compares aesthetics and function of deep hemispherical vs shallow bowl sundials, including gnomonic differences and delineation methods.
Dials: Hemispherical, Dials: Scaphe, Sundial Design & Layout
February 2000
Page 15
Page 15
Observation of the 1999 solar eclipse via pinhole effects on a reflected sundial at the Horniman Museum.
Dials: Reflected
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 17
Page 17
Brief photographic descriptions of a translucent horizontal dial in Brisbane and a camel-shaped sundial in Marree made from railway sleepers.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual
February 2000
Page 19
Page 19
Report of a BSS group meeting to document mass dials at churches in three counties, including visits and findings.
Dials: Mass Dials, The BSS and Members
February 2000
Page 20
Page 20
Design and construction of an electronic equatorial sundial with phototransistors and LED display for remote indication of time.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Unusual
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 39
Page 39
Reviews of recently published works relevant to sundial enthusiasts: CADRANS SOLAIRE EN SAVOIE, SUNCLOCKS: PAPER SUNDIALS TO MAKE AND USE, and FROM SAILS TO SATELLITES: THE ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT OF NAVIGATIONAL SCIENCE
Book Reviews
February 2000
Page 41
Page 41
February 2000
Page 42
Page 42
Describes a group visit to the noon-mark sundial at Farnborough. Designed by Douglas Bateman, the dial is set out on a central glass window in the entrance hall of the Cody Building and shows local apparent noon, mean time noon, and the date.
The BSS and Members, Dials: Noon Lines
February 2000
Page 44
Page 44
Personal narrative of viewing the 1999 total eclipse in Bulgaria, with observations and reflections.
The BSS and Members
February 2000
Page 45
Page 45
Report on the North American Sundial Society conference, with discussions on topics presented.
The BSS and Members
February 2000
Page 47
Page 47
February 2000
Page 48
Page 48
Description of Downside School's connections with BSS and installation of a wall dial designed by a master.
Dials: Vertical
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
February 2000
Page 51
Page 51
Describes the construction and principle of a horizontal dial that incorporates the equation of time.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Horizontal, Equation of Time
June 2000
Page 55
Page 55
Describes the design and installation of a new multi-faced sundial at Christ Church, Oxford, inspired by a historical dial by Kratzer.
Dials: Multi Faced, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2000
Page 59
Page 59
Narrates the author's journey through the design, construction, and installation of the Christ Church sundial.
Construction Projects, Dials: Multi Faced
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 70
Page 70
Describes a modern noon-marking stone and tests its alignment by observation of solar shadows.
Dials: Unusual
June 2000
Page 72
Page 72
Reflects on unintentional yet personally meaningful shadow effects observed in architectural settings.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Unusual
June 2000
Page 73
Page 73
Reports a field trip to document surviving mass dials in Normandy and compares them with English examples.
Dials: Mass Dials
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 81
Page 81
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 90
Page 90
A personal account of photographing the 1999 eclipse, with technical and observational notes.
The BSS and Members
June 2000
Page 91
Page 91
Speculative article on the possible existence of sundials before the Saxon period in Britain.
Historical Dials
June 2000
Page 99
Page 99
Advice and commentary on the best techniques and conditions for photographing mass dials.
Dials: Mass Dials
June 2000
Page 101
Page 101
Describes a portable device that demonstrates the equation of time and solar motion for educational use.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Heliochronometer, Equation of Time
June 2000
Page 103
Page 103
Design and rationale for a moveable analemmatic sundial suitable for demonstration or travel.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Analemmatic
October 2000
Page 107
Page 107
Detailed account of the design process and construction of the Tylers' and Bricklayers' polar sundial in London, including technical and logistical challenges.
Construction Projects, Dials: Polar, Sundial Design & Layout
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 115
Page 115
Practical guide to photographing various types of sundials, including exposure, lenses, framing, and lighting for effective recording and archival use.
Dialling Tools
October 2000
Page 120
Page 120
Report on the 11th BSS Annual Conference, with summaries of lectures, site visits, exhibitions, and society updates.
The BSS and Members
October 2000
Page 121
Page 121
Minutes of the AGM held at the Cirencester conference, including officer changes and society business.
The BSS and Members
October 2000
Page 125
Page 125
Showcase of sundials commissioned or constructed to commemorate the millennium year.
Dials: Analemmatic, Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Vertical, The BSS and Members
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 137
Page 137
Photos and summaries of sundials submitted to or winning BSS awards in 2000.
Sundial Design & Layout, The BSS and Members
October 2000
Page 142
Page 142
Explains the rare conditions under which a sundial shadow can appear to move backward, at specific dates and latitudes, including astronomical and observational factors.
How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling
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 2
Page 2
This editorial mentions that this issue celebrates the British Sundial Society's tenth anniversary with a colourful display of sundial photographs included in the centre pages, and contributions from early members reflecting on their reasons for joining. It also clarifies the new volume and page numbering system for the Bulletin.
The BSS and Members
February 1999
Page 3
Page 3
This article describes 17th-century carved sandstone tombstones in Kirkwall Cathedral, Orkney, which feature various symbols of death. One unique tombstone, that of Patrick Prince (1673), depicts a sundial among these emblems of mortality, which the author notes is the only sundial he saw in the Orkneys.
Mottoes
February 1999
Page 4
Page 4
Details the erection of a large horizontal sundial near Whitley Bay, designed by Tony Moss. Named 'The Gnomon of the North', it features a six-metre-high iron gnomon with reliefs created by local schoolchildren, and its hour lines are marked by old railway track on a slightly coned surface.
Dials: Horizontal, Construction Projects
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 9
Page 9
This article references the Gibbs Universal Heliochronometer, patented in 1906, and its presence at the 1998 BSS Conference. It suggests converting existing Astro-Compasses into heliochronometers by adding self-adhesive hour-labels, providing an affordable way to indicate local sun time with reasonable accuracy.
Dialling Tools, DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Heliochronometer
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 16
Page 16
This section compiles responses from early BSS members, including T.B. Palmer, P.D. Briggs, and C.D. Lack, reflecting on their initial motivations for joining and their continued enjoyment of the Society's Bulletin, despite personal challenges or preferences for theoretical over practical involvement.
The BSS and Members
February 1999
Page 18
Page 18
This article describes a vertical, almost direct south, sundial made in 1997 for a barn wall in Nidderdale. Constructed from plywood with a wrought iron style, it features decorative figures symbolizing agricultural life and an equation-of-time correction system via an adjustable disk.
Dials: Vertical, Sundial Design & Layout, Construction Projects
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 25
Page 25
This article introduces refractive sundials made from transparent solids like glass, specifically glass paperweight sundials for window sills. The nodus is an 'aperture' on the top of the paperweight, casting a spot on a dial card on the bottom, with a more compact pattern than in air.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Portable, Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout, DIY Sundial Projects
February 1999
Page 30
Page 30
This article reports on recent sundial auctions, highlighting several notable sales, including a silver dial by Nicholas Blondeau (1683), a fruitwood pillar dial with a hidden compass and spyglass, and a rare Cruciform Dial from 1598. It also notes garden dials that failed to reach their reserves.
February 1999
Page 33
Page 33
This section provides updates including the venue for the 1999 Newbury BSS Meeting, the current viewing location of D.G. Rossetti's 'Beata Beatrix' painting, clarifications on 'Italian' hours and a problematic dial from a previous issue, and an apology for a cover photo misattribution.
The BSS and Members
February 1999
Page 33
Page 33
This section contains diverse reader correspondence, including a tribute to Charles Aked, discussions on the Equation of Time and Bernhardt dials, explanations of the Lluc sundial in Mallorca, a comparison of Eureka compass cards, reflections on restoration, and a submission on 'Tipple Times'.
Dials: Unusual, Equation of Time, Dialling Tools, The BSS and Members
February 1999
Page 37
Page 37
Describes a mechanical clock designed to display local solar time as well as Greenwich Mean Time. It uses two cranks to apply the Equation of Time correction, accurately accounting for the sun's uneven progress throughout the year, making it possible to read solar time even in overcast conditions.
Equation of Time, DIY Sundial Projects
February 1999
Page 38
Page 38
This article describes three wall sundials in Serbia: one in Strpce with historical day lines and a Cyrillic motto; one in Valjevo showing various international noons and birthdays of famous Serbians; and a rhyming motto dial in Lesak.
Dials: Vertical, Mottoes
February 1999
Page 40
Page 40
John Moir continues his exploration of hidden meanings and symbolism in sundials, presenting examples of 'false identity' dials like a bowl dial and a cat-shaped memorial. He delves into using logos, Morse code, and snooker ball colour codes, as well as analogies like railway lines and hair-lines, to enrich sundial design.
Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout, Equation of Time, Mottoes
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
February 1999
Page 47
Page 47
This review covers two issues of *Compendium*, the NASS journal. It highlights articles on a 'Witch's Sundial', various sundial designs (conical gnomon, Ptolemaic coordinates, cycloid gnomon, split analemma), and 'Sightings' features on notable dials, concluding with a report on the NASS Fourth Annual Conference.
Dials: Equatorial, Book Reviews, Sundial Design & Layout, Equation of Time
February 1999
Page 48
Page 48
This article describes a modern re-creation of a Roman hemicyclium dial, sculpted from Clipsham stone, now located in Leicester's Jewry Wall Museum. Funded by the Royal Society and British Association Awards Scheme, it will be part of the Leicester Time Trial, set to open in 1999.
Construction Projects, Dials: Scaphe
February 1999
Page 49
Page 49
This article describes a fixed pillar dial, a variant of the Shepherd's Dial, which indicates time without requiring cylinder rotation. It features a radial gnomon whose tip's vertical shadow length and position on the cylinder's wrapped surface (calibrated by specific formulas) distinguish morning from afternoon.
Sundial Design & Layout, Dials: Cylindrical
June 1999
Page 54
Page 54
Introduces the June 1999 issue of the BSS Bulletin, highlighting a mix of historical, current, and future-oriented articles. It mentions past objects like Saxon dials and the Nottingham Meridian Dial, present-day topics such as making a sundial from a satellite dish, and future-looking content like 'Sundials on the Internet' and a restored wall dial. The editor particularly enjoyed 'The Scaphe of Carthage'.
The BSS and Members
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 62
Page 62
This article explores noon marks and the analemma, detailing how the sun's daily and annual motion is used to determine local noon and time of year. It discusses simple horizontal and vertical noon marks, the use of aperture gnomons, and the historical and modern application of the analemma for time correction. New designs for polar and vertical analemmatic noon marks, including sculptural forms, are also presented.
Dialling Tools, Dials: Noon Lines, Equation of Time, Sundial Design & Layout
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 77
Page 77
This article explores the unexpected link between satellite dishes and sundials, including the use of knowledge of the sun's movement to align satellite dishes to satellites. It delves into the geometry of satellite dishes as a basis for sundial design and discusses practical details for using a satellite dish into a sundial, including gnomon options and microwave-transparent planar dial face materials.
DIY Sundial Projects, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
June 1999
Page 81
Page 81
Includes various reader contributions. M. Arnaldi discusses the Benedictine Rule and Anglo-Saxon liturgy regarding monastic prayer times. A.O. Wood questions the commonality of Saxon dial designs and suggests a square dial at Stowell Church is Saxon. James Richard reflects on his long-standing interest in sundials and the BSS. J.P. Lester corrects an error in 'King's England' about a sundial at St. Mary's, Radcliffe. K.H. Head offers information on a 'repeating caliper' and seeks an internationally agreed system for gnomonic symbols. Alan Smith clarifies details of a Memento Mori sundial on a tombstone.
The BSS and Members
June 1999
Page 82
Page 82
This section covers various announcements and corrections. It invites members to a Mass Dial Safari in the East Midlands. It includes corrections for photograph attributions and orientations in previous BSS Bulletins. It also provides corrected attributions for the cat dial memorial to Noel Ta Bois and the Hitchin Museum dial, and announces British Museum events related to the total eclipse.
The BSS and Members
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 91
Page 91
This report chronicles the growth and impact of the "Sundials on the Internet" website (www.sundials.co.uk) over its first three years, sponsored by the BSS and NASS. It details the site's rapid growth in page views, content expansion, and design evolution. The article highlights the site's educational contribution, especially through its projects page for schoolchildren, and outlines future objectives like language translations and new sundial trails.
The BSS and Members
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 96
Page 96
This technical article presents a method for estimating the declination of vertical sundials, particularly useful for dials high on buildings. Rather than measure the 'substyle distance' (angle between the gnomon and the noon line) one reads off the 'time' on the dial the gnomon is pointing to. This can be looked up in a precalculated table for a given latitude to give the degrees of declination of the dial.
Dialling Tools, Dials: Vertical, Mathematics of Dialling
June 1999
Page 98
Page 98
Details the restoration of the author's first vertical east declining sundial, originally made in 1986. It describes the process of stripping old paint, repainting, and redrawing the dial face with hour, equinox, and solstice lines. Challenges in transferring designs and painting fine lines are discussed, along with the decision to use black numerals for better contrast and adding a computer-drawn Equation of Time graph.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Vertical, Restoration projects, Sundial Design & Layout
June 1999
Page 99
Page 99
This tribute remembers Lieut. Commander Richard "Dick" Andrewes, a BSS member known for his wartime naval service, mathematical degree, and enthusiasm for dialling. He designed a unique dial for his home and an analemmatic dial for a conservation centre. He is particularly remembered for delineating a scaphe dial at the Horniman Museum, ingeniously overcoming its organic shape by using a marble to find the bowl's lowest point.
Dials: Analemmatic, Dials: Scaphe, The BSS and Members
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
June 1999
Page 104
Page 104
This technical article provides formulas for the Equation of Time and the Sun's declination throughout the year, using the day number as a variable. The derived values are shown graphically and noted to be close to published tables, aiming to provide a clear understanding of these fundamental gnomonic concepts.
Equation of Time, Mathematics of Dialling
October 1999
Page 106
Page 106
This editorial introduces the final BSS Bulletin issue of the current millennium, thanking contributors for articles, photographs, designs, and comments. It highlights discussions on the millennium's start and eclipse-viewing members, encouraging new contributions and referring to 'Guidelines for Contributors'.
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 111
Page 111
Reviews recent sundial sales at Christie's, highlighting several notable items. Sales included a rare Dutch compass/sundial, a Pilkington & Gibbs heliochronometer, and various garden sundials. A highlight was a large horizontal stone dial showing declination lines and times for different cities. The Rothschild collection sale featured high-value scientific instruments, including a minute dial, an astronomical compendium, a pair of dividers with altitude dials, ivory diptychs, and an astrolabe. The author also found an engraved copper printing plate of Rev. William Oughtred, inventor of the Ring Dial and slide rule.
October 1999
Page 115
Page 115
This article presents a design for a horizontal sundial adjustable for the Equation of Time and longitude by rotation around an axis parallel to the gnomon's style-edge. The design features a dial-face and gnomon-spine on a head, connected to a base with scales for longitude and a twelve-month Equation of Time adjustment. The offset bearing configuration and a Vernier-like scale simplify operations, allowing users to set the dial for different longitudes and regular Equation of Time corrections.
Dials: Horizontal, Equation of Time, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
October 1999
Page 118
Page 118
This article explores the 'Sunrise Line', defined as the boundary between day and night (the Terminator). The author dislikes the term 'Terminator' and proposes 'soloriensorbis' (sunrise semi-circle). It discusses how the line moves due to Earth's rotation and its appearance on a 2D map as a shallow 'S' shape. The article also touches on determining the first territory to greet the new millennium based on sunrise time, and queries how sundials perform at sunrise on mountaintops.
How Sundials Work
October 1999
Page 120
Page 120
This review critiques 'The Inequalities of Sundial Time' by Dr. Eilon Saroka, describing it as peculiar and unique. It covers the book's extensive detail on astronomical deviations from perfect constancy, but notes that all the factors examined are irrelevant for sundial accuracy, except for atmospheric refraction. The reviewer criticizes the lack of index and modern references, suggesting the work be split into two monographs on Earth's motion inequalities and the Equation of Time/analemma.
Book Reviews, Equation of Time, Mathematics of Dialling
October 1999
Page 121
Page 121
This review covers two issues of NASS's *Compendium* (Vol.6 No.1 and No.2). It highlights articles on a stone cube dial from Ross-on-Wye, the Capuchin and Apian dials, and a monolith memorial sundial in Charleston, S.C. The second issue features horizontal garden dials and an ingenious 'sundot polar dial' design for a hollow cylinder. It also notes reader queries on wood types for sundials and finding wall declination.
Book Reviews
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 128
Page 128
Features several reader contributions. A.F. Baigent suggests creating a 'Diallers' Dictionary' for standardising gnomonic terms. John Singleton proposes a shortcut method for determining equinox and solstice tracks for reclining/declining dials. Maurice Cohen discusses misplaced sundials at National Trust properties like Anglesey Abbey, highlighting variations in local management's care. Gordon E Taylor comments on symbol standardisation in gnomonics, advocating for an international committee to address confusion in terms like 'declination' and 'azimuth'.
The BSS and Members
October 1999
Page 131
Page 131
This section announces changes in handling BSS material sales and provides contact information for ordering back issues, ties, and lapel badges. It also invites members to report new, old, or updated fixed and mass dials to the registrars to help chronicle their condition. Additionally, it announces a GCSE Astronomy Course at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, offering students practical experience with telescopes and preparation for the examination.
The BSS and Members
October 1999
Page 132
Page 132
This article briefly summarises the Andrew Somerville Memorial Lecture, delivered by Professor David Waters. which explored maritime history and time measurement at sea. Professor Waters discussed the link between city-port growth and Mediterranean trade, enabled by the magnetic compass. He suggested early Nordic explorations possibly used sundials, while sand-glasses were 'horologia del mare'. The development of accurate timekeepers and ship's logs facilitated navigation, leading to precise maps and the rise of a wealthy merchant class, plausibly contributing to the Renaissance.
October 1999
Page 133
Page 133
This report details the Newbury Meeting, featuring talks on French dials with carved figures, gnomonic markings on church walls, and an experiment recreating Eratosthenes' Earth diameter measurement. Michael Maltin demonstrated Earth's orbital eccentricity and movement. Peter Meecham described his 'Tempus Fugit' balloon. Exhibitions included a drinks sundial, NASS double horizontal dial, crested china sundials, and Andrew James' Pringles cylinder shepherd's dial. The meeting also involved laying out a meridian line and a birthday cake celebration for the BSS.
The BSS and Members
October 1999
Page 135
Page 135
This article discusses millennium projects, highlighting two commissions. One is a 10ft tall horizontal dial sculpture for the Harborough canal basin, costing £15,000 with Lottery Funds. The other is a memorial in Rimpton Parish, Dorset, consisting of two 8ft high standing slabs with a 50mm slot aligned to sunrise on 1st January 2000. Despite likely cloudy weather, the intention is to attend annually for a champagne ritual, establishing a new English tradition.
Construction Projects, Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual
October 1999
Page 136
Page 136
This entry briefly describes a 7-inch diameter cast brass dial, with an elegant 51° gnomon, obtained by a Leicester primary school in 1969 from educational suppliers. The author notes that it is a 'nondial' due to its inaccurate hour-line calibration, implying it fails in its instructional purpose.
Sundial Design & Layout
October 1999
Page 137
Page 137
This report details the BSS's successful Tenth Anniversary Conference at Dunchurch Lodge. Lectures covered calendar history, a remote reading sundial invention, and the discovery of a lost stained glass sundial. Allan Mills surveyed Greek and Roman scaphe dials. Doug Bateman guided a tour of Nottingham Subscription Library's Noon Line. Group meetings addressed portable dials, mass dials, and wall declination. The conference concluded with an auction, a satellite dish sundial demonstration, an eclipse lecture, and the election of new officials.
The BSS and Members
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
October 1999
Page 142
Page 142
This report details a BSS Northumbrian Sundial Meeting, highlighting visits to Anglo-Saxon dials at Escomb, Dalton-le-Dale, and Pittington, noting the latter's poor condition. The group also saw dials by William Emmerson and C. Hunter, a modern 20-foot sundial by Tony Moss in Silverlink Parks, and the Stephenson Dial at Killingworth. The meeting concluded with a visit to the Keelman's Hospital and a restored shipyard sundial at the Trinity Maritime Centre, along with scratch dials at Bothal, which are rapidly deteriorating.
The BSS and Members
October 1999
Page 144
Page 144
This article describes the design and construction of a lightweight laser trigon for accurately laying out sundial lines. Inspired by difficulties with traditional string methods, the author developed a compact perspex instrument that uses a laser pointer to project declination and hour lines onto any dial surface. The design addresses issues of gnomon flexing and portability, and uniquely proposes linking the trigon's axes to trace analemmas mechanically, offering a universal tool for precise dial delineation.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dialling Tools
October 1999
Page 146
Page 146
This article describes a technique for rapidly producing vertical skeleton sundials from stainless steel using a 3.5-kilowatt laser cutter. Designs are created on a computer with specific location, wall orientation, and date lines. The method allows for intricate details, including owner's names and quotations. The technique can also create silhouette window sundials with sandblasted glass, and accurate analemma plates in stainless steel and brass, suitable for human-involvement analemmatic dials.
Construction Projects, DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Vertical, Sundial Design & Layout
October 1999
Page 148
Page 148
This article describes a millennium project involving the construction of a tower, 'La Meridiana', near Rome, to house a series of internal sundials. The author designed 10 dials for the walls and ceiling, read by sunlight projected through openings or reflected by a mirror. An experimental dial at his family house achieved accuracy within 10 seconds. The project aims to demonstrate precise time and date measurement, zodiac, altitude, and azimuth, using novel methods for declination, horizon, and meridian establishment.
Construction Projects, Dials: Reflected, Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout
October 1999
Page 154
Page 154
This report summarises the 9th National Sundials Meeting of the Amateur Astronomical Union of Italy, held in San Felice del Benaco from March 26-28, 1999. One hundred and six members attended, and 30 authors presented 48 papers on various gnomonic topics, including trigons, solar clocks, wall declination, projection methods, analemmatic dials, and astrolabes. A full 400-page report of the papers was published and distributed to attendees.
February 1998
Page 2
Page 2
The editor reflects on balancing forward-looking dial design with historical studies, noting readers’ diverse interests and reaffirming a policy that each issue should include something for everybody.
The BSS and Members
February 1998
Page 3
Page 3
Explains a shadow-free sundial using sky polarization: a fan of Sellotape (cellophane) sectors is viewed with an analyser at the Brewster angle. The brightest sector (or equal adjacent sectors) indicates hours and half-hours, and the dial can work with the Sun behind cloud or after sunset.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Unusual
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 16
Page 16
February 1998
Page 18
Page 18
Round-up of recent articles and notes on sundials and gnomonics from a range of journals and proceedings, with concise comments to guide readers to useful sources.
Book Reviews
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 21
Page 21
A commemorative dial marking a golden wedding, covering layout, materials and the celebratory inscription, with remarks on siting and legibility.
Construction Projects, Dials: Vertical, Mottoes
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 26
Page 26
Proposes an analemmatic dial that retains a fixed upright gnomon by drawing a series of ellipses, scaling and shifting them to avoid crossing lines and confusion when reading it.
Dials: Analemmatic, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
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 30
Page 30
Describes novel non-shadow dials using reflectors. Parabolic and cylindrical forms generate bright caustic lines on a screen; hour indication follows motion of the cusp or inner edge. Includes formulae, constructional notes and an aperture version using a sundial curve.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Reflected, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling
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 39
Page 39
Correspondence from members on recent articles, dial sightings, methods and queries, adding corrections, experience and requests for opinions.
The BSS and Members
February 1998
Page 42
Page 42
Short editorial notices and clarifications, including corrections, follow-ups and production notes.
The BSS and Members
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 2
Page 2
This article discusses the different approaches to problems of conservation and restoration of sundials in Britain and continental Europe. It also touches on the upcoming tenth anniversary of the British Sundial Society and suggests celebrating with colour photographs in the Bulletin.
Restoration projects, The BSS and Members
June 1998
Page 3
Page 3
An account of a holiday in Varenna, Italy, which unexpectedly revealed three interesting wall dials. The author describes the new and old dials briefly and the 'problematic' dial in more detail, asking for help with its unexplained features.
Dials: Vertical
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 11
Page 11
Showcases several examples of sundials deemed either 'almost' functional or 'useless.' It features a quasi-armillary sphere, a horizontal dial with a dysfunctional gnomon, a spherical sundial with perplexing projections, and a cathedral dial whose black face renders the shadow invisible, highlighting design flaws.
Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout
June 1998
Page 12
Page 12
The article describes how to make a sundial by setting a series of faces on a solid object to indicate time. The faces are parallel to the earth's axis and turn to show specific times. The design, which can be cast from a mould, allows for time to be judged to within five minutes by observing the changing shadow on the face. The novel design has been patented
Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout
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 16
Page 16
This article describes the distinctive equatorial sundials designed by modern German artist M. Bernhardt. These feature a polished aluminium gnomon pointing towards Polaris, and an hour scale calibrated for mean time, incorporating the equation-of-time correction within the gnomon's outline. Interchangeable gnomons allow for seasonal adjustments.
Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Heliochronometer, Dials: Unusual, Equation of Time, Sundial Design & Layout
June 1998
Page 18
Page 18
This article details the author's decades-long work in compiling extensive bibliographies on gnomonics, inspired by an earlier work on horology. It discusses the challenges of the project, including its scope and arrangement, and mentions collaboration with other researchers.
The BSS and Members
June 1998
Page 21
Page 21
This article explores the extraordinary sundials documented in Athanasius Kircher's 17th-century masterpiece, Ars Magna Lucis et Umbrae. It highlights Kircher's unique integration of gnomonics with esoteric disciplines like astrology and alchemy, showcasing innovative dials that provided astronomical data, medical advice, and even produced sound and fire.
Dials: Unusual, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
June 1998
Page 26
Page 26
An article that defines conservation and restoration in the context of sundials and highlights the ethical and practical difficulties. It discusses the British Sundial Society's policy on the matter and the cautious approach of conservators.
Restoration projects
June 1998
Page 32
Page 32
This article reports on the Scientific Instrument Fair, noting a number of dials that were for sale, including a slate dial with its original pedestal that sold for a high price, and various portable and snuff box dials.
June 1998
Page 33
Page 33
This announcement outlines the new categories for the BSS awards for sundials. It details the classes for professional, amateur, restoration, and junior dials, with an emphasis on the honour of the award itself.
Restoration projects, Sundial Design & Layout, The BSS and Members
June 1998
Page 34
Page 34
A collection of letters from members, including corrections to previous articles and descriptions of dials found or owned by members. Also two sides of the restoration argument are presented.
June 1998
Page 37
Page 37
This article describes how to build a simple, portable test table for horizontal sundials using a photographic tripod. The table allows for fine adjustments to be made to test dials for different latitudes without needing to find a perfectly horizontal surface.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dialling Tools
June 1998
Page 38
Page 38
This article provides a straightforward set of equations for the design of sundials that simultaneously recline from the vertical and decline from the south. It revisits the formulas for vertical declining dials and demonstrates how these two types of tilts combine to derive effective values for both angle and declination.
Dials: Vertical, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
June 1998
Page 40
Page 40
This article describes a hemispherical sundial, or 'hemispherium,' located in the author's garden, reputedly invented by Berosus around 300 BC. It details the successful process of delineating the solstice and equinox lines using a custom-made template and explains the dial's function in dividing daylight into 'temporary hours'.
Construction Projects, Dials: Hemispherical, Dials: Scaphe, Sundial Design & Layout
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
June 1998
Page 43
Page 43
This section announces the British Sundial Society's decision to modify the Bulletin's numbering system starting in 1999 to simplify references. It also provides an update on the availability and details of the 'International Bibliography of Gnomonics' compiled by C.K. Aked and N. Severino, which is offered on disk.
The BSS and Members
June 1998
Page 44
Page 44
This article reviews an issue of the journal 'Compendium,' published by the North American Sundial Society (NASS). It discusses a large sundial at a Disney office in Florida and an archaeological find of a stone disc sundial in Israel.
Book Reviews
June 1998
Page 44
Page 44
This article reviews recent issues of Compendium, the journal of the North American Sundial Society (NASS). It covers diverse topics including a large architectural sundial for Disney, an archaeological stone disc from Qumram, a sundial exhibition by sculptor Robert Adzema, and an equatorial dial in Founders' Park, Illinois.
Book Reviews
June 1998
Page 44
Page 44
This review examines 'Making a clock-accurate Sundial customized to your location (for the Northern Hemisphere)' by Sam Muller. Aimed at educators and hobbyists, the booklet provides practical instructions for constructing simple sundials and explains basic concepts, although the reviewers note its lack of theoretical content and a bibliography.
Book Reviews
June 1998
Page 45
Page 45
This obituary commemorates Professor Philip Adams, a highly esteemed member of the British Sundial Society, who passed away on 1 November 1997. It highlights his significant intellectual and social contributions to the Society, including his engaging lectures and meticulously crafted models, and his role in organising a sundial tour.
The BSS and Members
June 1998
Page 46
Page 46
Summarises the BSS Conference held in Dunchurch Lodge. It mentions lectures on topics such as the origins of two manor house dials, Altitude Dials, and a tour of German dials.
The BSS and Members
June 1998
Page 49
Page 49
Reviews a section on sundials from Charles Hutton's 'Mathematical and Philosophical Dictionary'. It describes 41 separate problems related to dialling and mentions the author's recommended English works on gnomonics, including those by Emerson and Martin.
Mathematics of Dialling
October 1998
Page 2
Page 2
This editorial discusses the variety of sundials in this issue for different age groups and periods, from ancient to ultra-modern. It encourages submissions for the BSS Awards Scheme 2000 and highlights Sarah Symons' lecture on Egyptian Shadow Clocks and an obituary for founding member Charles Aked.
The BSS and Members
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 8
Page 8
This article introduces an innovative 'Helios XXII' sundial concept, designed as an architectural shell structure or summerhouse. It features a hemispherical dome with a reflective pool at its centre and a stainless steel rod circulating water creating ripples. Reflections from the water, with shadows from the concentric ripples, are projected onto the dome's underside, marking hours and seasons, aiming for a tranquil contemplative environment.
Construction Projects, Dials: Hemispherical, Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout
October 1998
Page 9
Page 9
This article outlines the British Sundial Society's policy on restoration and conservation of sundials. It defines terms like restoration, conservation, and replacement, and specifies BSS involvement, advising on accurate restoration while avoiding legal liability. The policy discourages restoration of Saxon or Mass Dials, prioritising their conservation and detailed recording.
Restoration projects, 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 16
Page 16
This article describes a unique sundial commission, featuring a gilded metal liquidambar leaf design. It incorporates an innovative equation-of-time correction system called 'Time's Tune,' which uses musical analogy to plot values on a treble clef. The dial provides a direct read-out of clock time with specific adjustments for longitude.
Construction Projects, Dials: Unusual, Equation of Time, Sundial Design & Layout
October 1998
Page 18
Page 18
This obituary pays tribute to Charles Kenneth Aked, a principal 'founding father' and first editor of the British Sundial Society's Bulletin, who passed away on 22 April 1998. It details his diverse career in engineering and horology, his extensive gnomonic bibliographies, and his significant contributions to the BSS, highlighting his dedication and personality.
The BSS and Members
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 21
Page 21
This section invites Italian-speaking members to review a new journal, discusses the terminology of 'Italian' and 'Italic' hours, mentions the publication of Allan Mills' lecture on Altitude Dials, and announces a planned group tour to the UK for the BSS 10th Anniversary in 1999.
The BSS and Members
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 27
Page 27
This article reports on the International Sundial Symposium in Genk, Belgium, which showcased designs from an international competition. It describes several winning sundials, including polyhedral, polar, catenary, and an innovative digital sundial by Hans Scharstein, highlighting the diversity and ingenuity in contemporary gnomonic design.
Construction Projects, Dials: Unusual
October 1998
Page 27
Page 27
This article describes the creation of "Gregory," a vertical direct south sundial designed specifically for young children and school use. Made from recycled metals, the dial features a gypsy face, with hair and eyebrows shaped to represent the equation of time. Its design aims to attract youngsters and serve as a teaching aid for time and longitude.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Vertical, Equation of Time, Sundial Design & Layout
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 40
Page 40
This article reviews *Compendium*, the journal of NASS, featuring J.M. Bores' new conical sundial design, measuring Babylonian and Italian hours, and an article by Robert L. Kellogg on Bede's cosmological and geographical works, including his observations on day-length variations. It also mentions a regular "Sightings" feature on notable dials.
Book Reviews, Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout
October 1998
Page 41
Page 41
Examines Stephen Jay Gould's "Questioning the Millennium," which humorously discusses the historical and logical inconsistencies of millennium transitions. It delves into Dennis the Short's chronology, the concept of zero, and calendrics, making it relevant for diallists and those interested in the measurement of time; and "A Dozen Dials" by Peter Ransom
Book Reviews
October 1998
Page 42
Page 42
This article provides an overview of international dealers in scientific instruments who stock sundials, including Trevor Philip & Sons (London), Stuart Talbot (Portobello Market), Librarie Alain Brieux (Paris), and Tesseract (New York). It highlights specific rare and interesting dials, like a Serle's Universal Rule compendium, and advises on attending scientific instrument fairs and auctions.
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 1
Page 1
A reflection on the challenges of cataloguing dialling literature and the value of the British Sundial Society in enabling collaboration among enthusiasts. Highlights the importance of collective efforts in preserving and sharing gnomonic knowledge.
The BSS and Members
January 1997
Page 2
Page 2
A detailed biographical and technical account of Samuel Foster, a 17th-century diallist, highlighting his innovations in dialling techniques, instruments, and his influence on later gnomonists. Explores historical context, plagiarism controversies, and posthumous publications.
How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling
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 24
Page 24
Results and observations from a survey of mass dials in Somerset, cataloguing examples, their locations, and distinctive features. Includes notes on preservation and stylistic variations.
January 1997
Page 25
Page 25
Explains how to determine the true north-south line by observing the Sun's meridian transit. Includes practical steps, necessary equipment, and applications for sundial alignment.
January 1997
Page 26
Page 26
A cautionary note on how unchecked vegetation, particularly vines, can damage sundials. Provides examples and preventative advice for dial owners.
January 1997
Page 34
Page 34
The gods, humans, or beasts supporting the escutcheon are called supporters. This article describes figure(s) holding or supporting the dial in place of a plinth.
January 1997
Page 37
Page 37
A method for telling time using moonlight and sundial principles. Explains necessary calculations, lunar phases, and adjustments for accuracy.
Dialling Tools, How Sundials Work
January 1997
Page 39
Page 39
Survey of scratch dials in Derbyshire, noting their distribution, styles, and historical background. Considers their role in medieval timekeeping.
January 1997
Page 43
Page 43
Introduces creative sundial designs employing unconventional concepts. Encourages innovation in form and function while respecting core gnomonic principles.
Dials: Unusual
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
January 1997
Page 47
Page 47
Re-examines the theory and practice behind north-declining vertical dials, correcting misconceptions and providing updated construction guidelines.
Dials: Vertical, Mathematics of Dialling
January 1997
Page 48
Page 48
Reviews of recent sundial-related publications, summarising content, scope, and usefulness for diallists.
Book Reviews
January 1997
Page 49
Page 49
Correspondence from readers discussing previous articles, sharing observations, and posing questions related to sundials.
The BSS and Members
January 1997
Page 52
Page 52
A section of exchanges, comments, and brief notes between members and editors on topics of sundial interest.
The BSS and Members
April 1997
Page 1
Page 1
A reflective farewell from the long-serving Honorary Editor, recounting the history and growth of the Bulletin, the challenges and pleasures of editing, and expressing gratitude to contributors while bidding farewell to the role.
The BSS and Members
April 1997
Page 2
Page 2
An in-depth guide to beginning a collection of portable sundials, discussing types from wooden diptychs to Butterfield dials, with practical advice on acquisition, authenticity, and the joy of collecting these intricate timekeepers.
Dials: Portable
April 1997
Page 6
Page 6
A review of 'Il Conchi Collo, L'antico Orologio di Ravenna' by Mario Arnaldi, covering the history, reconstruction, and mathematics of a historic hemispherical sundial, with commentary on the book’s content and presentation.
Book Reviews
April 1997
Page 7
Page 7
A tribute to George Higgs, describing the creation and installation of a commemorative engraved glass window in Kirkcudbright’s Tollbooth Art Centre, incorporating sundial designs he worked on during his lifetime.
The BSS and Members
April 1997
Page 8
Page 8
A detailed account of a week-long tour of Northern Ireland by BSS members, visiting historic and modern sundials, gardens, cathedrals, and museums, highlighting the camaraderie and variety of dial-related experiences.
The BSS and Members
April 1997
Page 10
Page 10
A report on a meeting of the BSS Mass Dial Group exploring churches in Oxfordshire, noting numerous examples of mass dials, their conditions, and historical significance in local architecture.
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 24
Page 24
An exploration of altitude dials designed for high-latitude locations, discussing their construction, adaptations, and challenges in time-telling under extreme solar conditions.
Dials: Portable, How Sundials Work, Sundial Design & Layout
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 33
Page 33
An overview of the emerging presence of sundial resources and communities online, highlighting websites, digital tools, and opportunities for dial enthusiasts to connect.
Dialling Tools
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 38
Page 38
A profile of contemporary diallist Joanna Migdal, outlining her career, notable works, and artistic approach to sundial creation.
The BSS and Members
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 45
Page 45
Sundial supporters - a group of early 18th century lead figures supporting garden dials.
April 1997
Page 47
Page 47
A compilation of references, resources, and brief notes relevant to dialling, serving as a scholarly and practical aid to researchers.
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
April 1997
Page 53
Page 53
A description of the challenges and methods involved in relocating a reclining equiangular sundial, ensuring accuracy and preservation.
Dials: Equatorial
April 1997
Page 54
Page 54
A brief announcement noting the change in editorial leadership for the Bulletin.
The BSS and Members
April 1997
Page 55
Page 55
A biographical piece on Immanuel Halton, his contributions to gnomonics, and the historical context of his work.
April 1997
Page 56
Page 56
A review of 'Vade-Mecum du Gnomoniste', summarising its contents, purpose, and value as a reference for diallists.
Book Reviews
April 1997
Page 56
Page 56
A short review of an additional publication relevant to sundial enthusiasts, noting key themes and merits.
Book Reviews
April 1997
Page 57
Page 57
A selection of letters from readers offering observations, corrections, and commentary on previous Bulletin articles.
The BSS and Members
April 1997
Page 59
Page 59
An exchange of ideas or commentary between members, discussing sundial-related topics in an informal format.
July 1997
Page 1
Page 1
A message from the new editor introducing himself and his aims for the bulletin, as well as a tribute to the retiring editor Charles Aked. It notes the cosmopolitan nature of the contributions and encourages members to submit snippets about interesting sundials.
The BSS and Members
July 1997
Page 2
Page 2
A story, written as a children's tale, explaining the signs of the zodiac and the constellations. An editorial note explains the recent addition of the constellation Ophiuchus to the ecliptic, which has implications for the sign of Scorpio.
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 9
Page 9
This article describes three QBASIC computer programs for designing sundials. The programs can be used for plotting horizontal garden dials and various types of vertical wall dials.
Dialling Tools, Sundial Design & Layout
July 1997
Page 10
Page 10
An article discussing the amount of actual sunshine received in a given year in Ipswich, England, compared to the theoretical maximum. It includes graphs of daily sunshine data from 1996 and notes how environmental factors like trees can affect a sundial's performance.
How Sundials Work
July 1997
Page 12
Page 12
This article details the construction of a pair of analemmic sundials mounted on the south corner of a building in Istanbul, Turkey. It describes the design of the dials, which are made of white marble with bronze gnomons, the shadows of whose points fall on analemmas of hours and half-hours.
Construction Projects, Sundial Design & Layout
July 1997
Page 13
Page 13
Describes the making of an unusual device for regulating watches following a design from 1895. It finds solar noon, by measuring the times the sun is at the same elevation just before and after noon, using a sighting mechanism floating in a can of water to ensure it is horizontal.
Dials: Unusual, Dialling Tools, DIY Sundial Projects
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 18
Page 18
Guide to producing printed dialling scales using spreadsheet calculations and desktop publishing, enabling accurate layout of sundials.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dialling Tools, Mathematics of Dialling
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 22
Page 22
A review of a cut-out book titled 'Sundials and Timedials' that allows readers to create their own card sundials. The author recommends it as a simple and unusual introduction to sundial construction.
Book Reviews, Construction Projects
July 1997
Page 24
Page 24
Lecture on meridian lines in Europe, their scientific and historical significance, and notable examples.
Dials: Noon Lines
July 1997
Page 29
Page 29
July 1997
Page 32
Page 32
The author recounts giving a speech about sundials at the Royal Astronomical Society Club. He presents a witty poem that he wrote in response to a verse by Hilaire Belloc that claimed watches are better than sundials. The poem highlights the various functions and advantages of sundials.
The BSS and Members
July 1997
Page 33
Page 33
A tribute to Charles K. Aked, a founding member and the first editor of the British Sundial Society Bulletin. The article details his career as a scientist, his contributions to horology and dialling, and his crucial role in establishing the BSS.
The BSS and Members
July 1997
Page 34
Page 34
Description of a very large, notable sundial in Pajala, Sweden, north of the Arctic Circle.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual
July 1997
Page 35
Page 35
July 1997
Page 36
Page 36
July 1997
Page 37
Page 37
A corrected version of a table of compass directions of ports on four Bonar sundials
Historical Dials
July 1997
Page 38
Page 38
Report on a commemorative sundial project dedicated to James Taylor, a former BSS member, including design and symbolism.
Construction Projects, Sundial Design & Layout, The BSS and Members
July 1997
Page 40
Page 40
The article describes the mathematics and construction of an altitude ring dial, including diagrams for delineation and discussion of its limitations.
Construction Projects, Dials: Portable, Mathematics of Dialling
July 1997
Page 43
Page 43
This article details the design and construction of the Guernsey Liberation Monument, which includes a sundial as a central feature. The shadow falls on a curved bench with markers at times of significant events calibrated for the annual Liberation Day, 19 May. It discusses the challenges and the methods used to ensure the dial's accuracy and the shadow's visibility.
Construction Projects, Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout
July 1997
Page 50
Page 50
A themed crossword puzzle for members of the British Sundial Society.
July 1997
Page 52
Page 52
Report on a successful one-day meeting of the BSS in Newbury, with talks, exhibitions, discussion and socialising
The BSS and Members
July 1997
Page 53
Page 53
This article describes a new sundial being commissioned for the Fellow's Garden at Christ Church, Oxford. It discusses the design competition and the winning entry.
Dials: Cube, Dials: Multi Faced, Sundial Design & Layout
July 1997
Page 54
Page 54
A summary of the British Sundial Society's conference in Penrith. It describes various lectures and events, including a talk on a restored sundial, a discussion of Fred Sawyer's Asteroid Dial, and a presentation on the Windsor dial.
The BSS and Members
October 1997
Page 2
Page 2
This October issue of the Bulletin contains articles on sundials, both ancient (Ireland) and modern (a wooden cross-dial), covering topics such as construction, inaccuracies, cardboard cutouts (H-Dial, Christmas Cards, Sun Calendar), and encounters with dials in art (Rossetti) and real life (Turnbull Sundial). It includes contributions from three European countries and will soon feature one from the Southern Hemisphere.
The BSS and Members
October 1997
Page 3
Page 3
This article describes the "XY method", a practical process for marking time divisions on sundials. It details how to calculate shadow angles from first principles for various dial types and then plot them directly along rectangular borders using a graduated straightedge, acting as an "Add-on" to computer design programs. The method was adapted for complex declining/proclining dials and can also be applied to circular or octagonal dials.
Dialling Tools, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
October 1997
Page 5
Page 5
This article analyses the sundials depicted in Dante Gabriel Rossetti's paintings, specifically "Beata Beatrix" and "Saint Cecile". It highlights inaccuracies in the hour lines and numbering, attributing them to artistic licence and the symbolic importance of the "ninth hour" in relation to Beatrice's death, rather than scientific precision.
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 10
Page 10
This article describes a 48cm diameter model that depicts the horizon around Stonehenge. It shows the astronomical significance of the monument, particularly the alignment of the midsummer sun's rising and setting and the moon's major standstill rising with the four station stones. The model was constructed from 12 photographic transparencies and can predict solar and lunar events.
October 1997
Page 11
Page 11
This piece reproduces a 1914 newspaper clipping titled "Sun-Dials, a Plea for their Revival" which advocates for the return of sundials. It discusses the general use of sundials in ancient times (Babylon, Egypt, Hezekiah's dial), their construction (Byzantium eagle dial), the principle of the gnomon, common objections (blurred shadow, refraction, sunshine reliance), and various mottoes and famous public and private dials in London and England.
Mottoes
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 21
Page 21
This article introduces a one-piece polar dial that can be cut from metal or card and folded to form a square box. Its outer limbs serve as gnomons and legs, with one gnomon for before noon and another for after. The design ensures the dial is inclined at the angle of latitude, and it operates on the same principle as the portable polar dial, with considerations for GMT hour marks at different longitudes.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Polar, Dials: Portable
October 1997
Page 21
Page 21
This article describes a large sundial on a school building in St. Johann im Pongau, Austria, made of glazed ceramic tiles. The author questions its usability due to the absence of hour numerals, requiring prior knowledge to interpret the times, and humorously nominates it as "The World's Most Useless Sundial".
Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout
October 1997
Page 22
Page 22
This section reviews *Appunti per uno studio delle Meridiane Islamiche* (Islamic sundials) and *A Roman Cylinder Dial; Witness to a Forgotten Tradition* (an ancient Roman portable cylinder dial).
Book Reviews
October 1997
Page 23
Page 23
This section reviews journals from various sundial societies, including *ZONNETUDINGEN* (Belgian), *DE ZONNEWUZERKRING* (Netherlands), *COMPENDIUM* (NASS), and *LA BUSCA DE PAPER* (Catalan).
Book Reviews
October 1997
Page 26
Page 26
Report on a "Green Day" event in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, where British Sundial Society members set up a display to promote sundialling. Despite poor weather, they engaged with visitors, including the Lady Lord Mayor, and provided information about sundials. The author notes that while it may not have significantly advanced "Green Issues or the cause of Sundialling," it created a pleasant opportunity for members to discuss dials.
The BSS and Members
October 1997
Page 27
Page 27
This section contains letters discussing various topics: the likely mythical use of cordierite by Vikings for navigation; challenges to the historical claim of 14th-century clocks being the most advanced machines, citing ancient mechanisms with differential gearing; the use of an abacus to decipher binary notation on a sundial; a query about a missing sundial supporter figure; and a discussion on aperture gnomons for sharper solar images in large sundials and meridian lines.
October 1997
Page 31
Page 31
This article describes how to make adjustable diptych sundials from card, acting as a modern, lightweight version of antique portable diptych dials. It explains the principle of two hinged plates with a taut string gnomon, a built-in compass, and the "theorem of the sundial" for adjusting to various latitudes (40-50° N and 50-60° N) by tilting the entire instrument.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Portable, Sundial Design & Layout
October 1997
Page 36
Page 36
This article describes how to create an origami sun calendar from a single sheet of card, which indicates the date rather than the time. It reverses the roles of the dial plate and gnomon, and the shadow of a cone's rim indicates the date on a central gnomon-like scale. The article provides the mathematical solution for its design and construction.
DIY Sundial Projects, Mathematics of Dialling
October 1997
Page 38
Page 38
Announces a Sackler Research Fellowship for astronomy, horology, hydrography, and navigational instruments. It also mentions London's first indoor sundial, which uses a moving artificial light, and requests information for two unpublished items: 'Four 19th century meridian lines in Rome' and a review of a catalogue of fixed dials in Austria. It also contains errata for previous articles.
The BSS and Members
October 1997
Page 41
Page 41
This article explains three sources of misreadings on sundials: annual recurring errors (adjustment and fabrication errors), annual accumulating misreadings (due to unequal year lengths and celestial body motion), and errors in defining shadow transit. It details the mathematical treatment of these errors, including geographic coordinates, refraction, and parallax, and provides numerical examples.
Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
October 1997
Page 47
Page 47
A report on the British Sundial Society's 1997 tour of sundials in Hesse, Germany. The tour, guided by Karlheinz Schaldach, visited ancient and modern dials in towns like Alsberg, Homberg, Frankfurt, Kassel, and Fulda. Highlights included 14th-century mass dials, modern dials with built-in equation-of-time adjustment, large painted building dials, and various vertical dials, as well as some humorous or unreadable examples.
The BSS and Members
October 1997
Page 49
Page 49
Summarises the second Essex Sundial Meeting at Moulsham Mill. Presentations included a history of calendars, the sun's nuclear reactions, and a detailed look at the massive astronomical instruments and sundials at Jaipur, India, built in the early 18th century to determine celestial positions. The meeting concluded with slides of the German sundial safari.
The BSS and Members
October 1997
Page 49
Page 49
This report details a Mass Dial Group meeting in Gloucestershire, featuring talks on the 'Nature in Art' centre's work, a sundial for an educational exchange with Kenya, and the use of video for recording dial operations. Discussions covered mass dials and their evolution, Saxon Dials and their monastic origins, and visits to local churches, including the discovery of an early equiangular reclining dial.
Dials: Mass Dials, The BSS and Members
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 1
Page 1
A tribute to Dr. Marinus Hagen, a prominent sundial expert and Vice-President of the Dutch Sundial Society, highlighting his contributions to gnomonics and the founding of sundial communities.
The BSS and Members
February 1996
Page 2
Page 2
Summarised notes and updates from other sundial societies including De Zonnewijzerkring and the Belgian Sundial Society, plus brief reviews and sundial findings across Europe.
February 1996
Page 4
Page 4
A comprehensive report on the 1995 BSS Conference at Grantley Hall, covering sundial exhibits, lectures, field trips, and society matters.
The BSS and Members
February 1996
Page 9
Page 9
An exploration of innovative sundial designs such as the Open Book and Conical types, combining mathematical precision with aesthetic appeal.
DIY Sundial Projects, How Sundials Work, Sundial Design & Layout
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 21
Page 21
A short piece encouraging exploration of historic properties and their sundials as listed in the Yellow Book.
The BSS and Members
February 1996
Page 22
Page 22
Scientific explanation of the principles behind shadow movement and sundial timekeeping, with educational value.
How Sundials Work
February 1996
Page 28
Page 28
A discussion on industrially manufactured sundials and their place in contemporary and historical contexts.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Horizontal, Sundial Design & Layout
February 1996
Page 29
Page 29
An article exploring solar position calculations and their practical applications in sundial construction.
Mathematics of Dialling
February 1996
Page 30
Page 30
Description of a compact, transportable ring dial and its operation, with construction details.
Construction Projects, Dials: Portable
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
February 1996
Page 34
Page 34
A look at sundials that use lenses and refraction to tell time, particularly medieval concepts like the Dial of Ahaz.
Dials: Scaphe, Dials: Unusual
February 1996
Page 36
Page 36
A historical overview of the astrolabe, its design, use in navigation and astronomy, and its gnomonic significance.
Dials: Astrolabe
February 1996
Page 40
Page 40
Details and results of the 1995 British Sundial Awards, recognising excellence in dial construction and design.
The BSS and Members
February 1996
Page 44
Page 44
February 1996
Page 45
Page 45
Feedback and contributions from readers, including experiences, discoveries, and technical questions.
The BSS and Members
February 1996
Page 50
Page 50
A curated selection of mottoes found on sundials, with commentary on their meanings and origins.
Mottoes
February 1996
Page 52
Page 52
A reflective article on peace and sundials, inspired by biblical themes and conversion of wartime tools.
June 1996
Page 1
Page 1
Updates from European sundial societies, discussing exhibitions, society meetings, and sundial innovations, including notes on instruments, moon phases, and dipleidoscopes.
June 1996
Page 2
Page 2
A report on a regional BSS meeting in Essex featuring talks, member displays, and local sundial visits, highlighting community involvement and enthusiasm for sundial-related activities.
The BSS and Members
June 1996
Page 3
Page 3
Describes the creation of a complex obelisk-style sundial at Dunphail House, including its design, multiple dial faces, symbolic engravings, and historical inspirations from Scottish traditions.
Construction Projects, Dials: Multi Faced
June 1996
Page 9
Page 9
Commemorates the 200th anniversary of the Hydrographic Office with the unveiling of a specially commissioned horizontal sundial, exploring its design, construction, and maritime symbolism.
Dials: Horizontal
June 1996
Page 10
Page 10
An in-depth exploration of azimuth sundials, comparing projection methods, construction techniques, and their advantages, with historical and modern examples.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Vertical, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling
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 22
Page 22
A personal travelogue documenting sundials discovered in Canada, Australia, and Singapore, including armillary and equatorial dials, with notes on design inspiration and memorial contexts.
Dials: Equatorial
June 1996
Page 26
Page 26
A description of a meridian line installed in Ramsgate, covering its construction, timekeeping function, and local educational significance.
Dials: Noon Lines, Sundial Design & Layout
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 38
Page 38
A detailed report of the 1996 BSS conference, describing lectures, site visits, and discussions held among sundial enthusiasts.
The BSS and Members
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 40
Page 40
Summary and commentary on the latest bulletin of the North American Sundial Society, including highlights and member contributions.
June 1996
Page 42
Page 42
An analytical discussion of the sundial-like instrument depicted in Dürer’s ‘Melancholia I’, considering artistic interpretation and gnomonic function.
Dials: Unusual
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 46
Page 46
Review of a dialling-related publication, offering a brief critique and highlighting its value to readers and researchers.
Book Reviews
June 1996
Page 47
Page 47
Reader feedback and discussion on various dialling topics, including responses to previous articles and new findings.
The BSS and Members
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 1
Page 1
The editor reflects on changes to the Bulletin's format and the importance of members' contributions, acknowledging the journal's reputation in the dialling world and discussing practical challenges like production costs.
The BSS and Members
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 13
Page 13
A description of constructing a sundial that uses the polarisation of skylight rather than shadows to tell time, explaining the optical principles, historical references, and potential applications.
Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout, DIY Sundial Projects
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 21
Page 21
An innovative sundial design that projects light patterns as time indicators, demonstrating a creative approach to dialling aesthetics and function, with principles of optics.
Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout
October 1996
Page 23
Page 23
A report on a BSS members' meeting held in Newbury, highlighting talks, exhibits, and member contributions focused on sundial projects and research.
The BSS and Members
October 1996
Page 24
Page 24
A summary of sundial exhibits presented at Grantley Hall, describing notable pieces and the educational impact of the display on visitors.
October 1996
Page 25
Page 25
An article about simple portable sundials used by shepherds, exploring their historical use, practicality, and variations in design.
Dials: Portable
October 1996
Page 26
Page 26
A description of a software program developed to assist in sundial design and layout, explaining its capabilities and potential benefits to amateur and professional diallists.
Dialling Tools
October 1996
Page 27
Page 27
A short story explaining some of the principles of sundials.
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 39
Page 39
A report on the BSS conference at West Dean College, summarising lectures, workshops, and notable discussions on dialling topics.
The BSS and Members
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
October 1996
Page 48
Page 48
A collection of brief notes, announcements, or small snippets of dialling news, updates, and miscellaneous items.
The BSS and Members
October 1996
Page 49
Page 49
A review of a recently published sundial-related book, assessing its contribution to the literature and its appeal to Society members.
Book Reviews
October 1996
Page 50
Page 50
Letters from Society members sharing feedback, observations, or queries about sundial-related topics.
The BSS and Members
October 1996
Page 52
Page 52
Describes a set of dialling scales produced by Lindisfarne Sundials (a version of the Serle Ruler) to allow the easy laying out of sundials without calculations or measurements of angles.
Sundial Design & Layout, Dialling Tools, DIY Sundial Projects
February 1995
Page 1
Page 1
A roundup of news from other sundial societies and related organisations in the Netherlands and France, including symposiums, publications, new dials, and discussions about dial restoration and exhibitions.
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 15
Page 15
Proof of the Accuracy of the Capuchin and Regiomontanus Dials using the Polar Triangle of Navigation
A mathematical demonstration using spherical trigonometry to prove the timekeeping accuracy of the Capuchin and Regiomontanus portable sundials, complete with diagrams and derivations.
Dials: Portable, Mathematics of Dialling
February 1995
Page 18
Page 18
An explanation of the bifilar sundial's geometry and time-telling principles, including its unique two-thread gnomon and analytical methods for calculating its layout.
Dials: Bifilar, Mathematics of Dialling
February 1995
Page 27
Page 27
A brief note or acknowledgment about the Austrian Astronomical Association, likely including a notice or exchange with the BSS.
February 1995
Page 28
Page 28
A presentation of historic printed title pages and illustrations from early dialling books, with commentary on their artistic and educational value in the history of sundial literature.
Book Reviews
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
February 1995
Page 36
Page 36
A theoretical exploration of sundials that produce equivalent time indications under varying conditions, with examples of geometric transformations.
Mathematics of Dialling
February 1995
Page 39
Page 39
Continued discussion on the analemma and its use in sundials, particularly analemmatic types, including the relation to mean solar time and design techniques.
Dials: Analemmatic, Equation of Time, Mathematics of Dialling
February 1995
Page 44
Page 44
A companion piece offering additional commentary or diagrams for analemmatic sundial design, expanding on the previous article.
Dials: Analemmatic
February 1995
Page 45
Page 45
Letters from readers discussing various topics related to sundials, feedback on past articles, and general observations.
The BSS and Members
February 1995
Page 48
Page 48
Reviews of recent publications: 'A Celebration of Cornish Sun Dials', 'Sundials – A Beginner’s Guide', and 'Maltese Sundials', discussing their scope, strengths, and relevance to BSS members.
Book Reviews
February 1995
Page 49
Page 49
An innovative exploration of dial design evolution, tracing conceptual shifts from traditional layouts to experimental double helix arrangements.
Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout
February 1995
Page 50
Page 50
A short article or note introducing a software tool developed by the BSS for calculating or designing sundials.
February 1995
Page 51
Page 51
Introduction to a simple tool or method for determining the declination of a sundial wall, enhancing the accuracy of vertical dial construction.
Dialling Tools
February 1995
Page 52
Page 52
A mention of the SIS with potential collaborative opportunities, shared interests, or publication exchanges with the BSS.
June 1995
Page 1
Page 1
A tribute to George Higgs, one of the Society’s earliest and most respected members, proposing a memorial sundial in his honour and reflecting on his legacy and contributions.
The BSS and Members
June 1995
Page 2
Page 2
An editorial overview of news from sundial societies worldwide, including highlights from North America and Europe, book reviews, meridian lines, large-scale sculpture dials, and technical tools.
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 8
Page 8
A lively and historical account of the 1752 calendar reform in Britain, when 11 days were skipped, including the legal, social, and political impact of the Gregorian calendar adoption.
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 18
Page 18
A poem inspired by the historic Bewcastle Cross, paying homage to its enduring mystery, beauty, and cultural significance.
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 32
Page 32
A mathematical examination of lunar nomograms and their use in timekeeping, possibly as an analytical or design tool involving the moon's cycles.
Dialling Tools, Mathematics of Dialling
June 1995
Page 36
Page 36
An article about recreating historical sundials using modern methods, reflecting on the balance between authenticity, materials, and function.
Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Portable, Restoration projects
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
June 1995
Page 45
Page 45
A discussion on simple and understated sundials, their form and function, with commentary on their aesthetic and scientific purity.
How Sundials Work, Sundial Design & Layout
June 1995
Page 49
Page 49
A short description and technical summary of a farm sundial, its design, history, and geographical placement.
Dials: Vertical
June 1995
Page 50
Page 50
Reviews of new sundial publications: 'Time Tellers' and 'Sundials Australia', offering assessments of their relevance, scope, and contribution to the field.
Book Reviews
June 1995
Page 51
Page 51
Comments and feedback from members on previous issues, dialling topics, and Society business.
The BSS and Members
June 1995
Page 52
Page 52
A note announcing the establishment of a new sundial society in Belgium, summarising its goals and background.
October 1995
Page 1
Page 1
News and correspondence from other sundial societies and journals, including De Zonnewijzerkring and La Busca de Paper. Topics include hybrid and double hybrid dials, Catalan literature, meridian models, and observations on historic illustrations and publications.
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 18
Page 18
A description of the Cooke Heliochronometer, an accurate sundial capable of giving clock time, including its principle of operation, advantages over traditional dials, and its place in the development of precision timekeeping instruments.
Dials: Heliochronometer
October 1995
Page 19
Page 19
An overview of dials shaped like chalices, often used in ceremonial contexts or churches. The article discusses their optical characteristics, historical references, and functional design when filled with water for increased visibility.
Dials: Scaphe
October 1995
Page 26
Page 26
Explains why travellers who cross the "International Date line" in mid-Pacific will lose a day going West or have the same day over again going East.
October 1995
Page 27
Page 27
A technical and descriptive account of a large equatorial sundial made from translucent materials, designed for broad geographic usability and visual impact, including discussion of its structure and application.
Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Unusual
October 1995
Page 29
Page 29
The seventh book in the 17th Century 'Mariner's Magazine' is on dialling and is entitled "The Art of Dialling by a Gnomonical Scale, and likewise by Calculation; Making all Sorts of Dials both without doors and within, upon any Wall, Ceiling, or Floor, be they never so Irregular, wheresoever the Direct of Reflect Beams of the Sun may come.
October 1995
Page 33
Page 33
An analysis of the challenges and methods for designing sundials on north-declining vertical surfaces, with trigonometric solutions and practical tips for layout and correction.
Dials: Vertical
October 1995
Page 35
Page 35
A creative examination of 'fundials', a whimsical category of dials built with humour, novelty, or playfulness in mind. The piece blends observation and storytelling with examples.
Dials: Unusual
October 1995
Page 37
Page 37
A general article reflecting on the methods and motivations behind tracking solar time.
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
October 1995
Page 41
Page 41
An account of the life and writings of Margaret Gatty, a 19th-century author and sundial enthusiast. It covers her influence on mottoes and moral reflections expressed in dial inscriptions.
Mottoes
February 1994
Page 2
Page 2
Editorial discussing international sundial publications, restoration challenges, multilingual gnomonic vocabulary, and reports from Roumania and Sarajevo.
Restoration projects, The BSS and Members
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 8
Page 8
Describes a method using stereographic projection to determine true north and latitude from solar shadow observations. Includes theoretical explanation and practical setup.
How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling
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 17
Page 17
Explores the history, theory, and military use of sun compasses, including detailed designs used by British forces and analogies with sundial mechanics.
Dials: Portable, Mathematics of Dialling
February 1994
Page 22
Page 22
Provides a geometric technique to design a sundial based on three shadow measurements. Practical, educational, and includes construction guidance.
DIY Sundial Projects, Mathematics of Dialling
February 1994
Page 24
Page 24
Historical document listing time differences across Spanish cities for calendrical correction and dial calibration, translated and annotated.
Equation of Time
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 30
Page 30
Further elaboration on the Equation of Time and the analemma's form, including seasonal impacts on sundial accuracy and diagrammatic explanation.
Equation of Time
February 1994
Page 32
Page 32
Discusses the lunar equivalent of the solar Equation of Time and its practical application for estimating time by moonlight.
Equation of Time
February 1994
Page 33
Page 33
Describes construction of eccentric sundials with non-standard hour lines and geometries. Focuses on design theory and practical outcomes.
Dials: Unusual, Mathematics of Dialling
February 1994
Page 35
Page 35
Addresses deterioration of stone materials used in sundials and buildings. Covers environmental impacts, stone types, and conservation strategies.
Restoration projects
February 1994
Page 37
Page 37
February 1994
Page 38
Page 38
Historic timekeeping tables by Derham related to mechanical watches and their relationship to solar time.
Equation of Time
February 1994
Page 41
Page 41
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
February 1994
Page 44
Page 44
Announcement of a commemorative sundial plate issued by the National Trust for Scotland.
Dials: Horizontal
February 1994
Page 45
Page 45
Introduction to a new series of colour postcards issued by the BSS featuring diverse sundials.
The BSS and Members
February 1994
Page 46
Page 46
February 1994
Page 47
Page 47
February 1994
Page 48
Page 48
Society announcements and notes from the BSS Secretary, including administrative updates.
June 1994
Page 1
Page 1
A multi-part section comprising a report on sundial-related activities in the Netherlands, including design ideas and restoration plans, followed by two detailed obituaries. The first honours José Antonio Garcia-Diego’s contributions to hydraulic engineering and the history of science, while the second celebrates George Higgs’ legacy as a craftsman and pioneer in British sundial work.
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 10
Page 10
A brief list of corrections to articles previously published in BSS Bulletins 93.3 and 94.1. These corrections address formula misprints, typographical errors, and minor factual inaccuracies, particularly in technical articles involving solar time calculation and sun compasses.
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 15
Page 15
This short article investigates a persistent myth regarding the orientation of hour lines on sundials. The author examines the historical origins of the misconception and clarifies the mathematical and astronomical principles that debunk it, providing a concise lesson in accurate sundial theory.
How Sundials Work
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 20
Page 20
Describes the reconstruction of a historically inspired sundial, elaborating on how its design was refined for accuracy and visual appeal. The piece combines historical research with practical insights, showing how ancient ideas can be adapted into educational tools and display dials for modern audiences.
Restoration projects
June 1994
Page 21
Page 21
A succinct review of a recently published book on practical astronomy, aimed at amateur enthusiasts, followed by a poetic reflection titled 'The Course of Time,' which muses on the human perception of time and its representation in sundials.
Book Reviews
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 37
Page 37
This article presents the design and construction of a large equatorial sundial made with translucent materials. The dial is universal, meaning it can be used at any latitude, and is designed to be both decorative and scientifically accurate. Its practical applications and display potential are discussed.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Equatorial
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 41
Page 41
A short update with sales listings, notices, and a mention of sundial-related content appearing via Ceefax, a teletext service once used for distributing digital information in the UK.
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
June 1994
Page 45
Page 45
An announcement and outline of a national sundial competition organized by the BSS, encouraging public participation in sundial design. The notice includes judging criteria, categories, and contact information.
The BSS and Members
June 1994
Page 46
Page 46
Describes a sundial-inspired brick and stone footpath laid out on the grounds of Winslow Hall. The design aligns with the sun’s path across the year and uses architectural shadows from the building to mark seasonal transitions, functioning as a large-scale calendar.
Sundial Design & Layout
June 1994
Page 47
Page 47
A collection of letters from readers discussing past articles, sharing observations, and raising questions. Topics range from technical sundial queries to personal anecdotes and corrections.
The BSS and Members
June 1994
Page 50
Page 50
Details a sundial-themed trail at the Horniman Museum, involving the installation of educational and interactive dials. The article highlights the project's community engagement, educational goals, and collaborative nature between designers and local stakeholders.
June 1994
Page 52
Page 52
An editorial roundup of BSS activities, announcements, and reminders. Topics include event planning, publication updates, membership issues, and administrative matters relevant to society members.
The BSS and Members
October 1994
Page 2
Page 2
This article reviews recent issues of two sundial society publications: "De Zonnewijzerkring" (Dutch) and "La Busca de Paper" (Spanish/Catalan). It highlights the content, organization, and accessibility of "De Zonnewijzerkring", noting its extensive knowledge base despite being in Dutch, and expresses a wish for English summaries and better production quality. For "La Busca de Paper", it discusses specific articles on a reliquary sundial and sundials in Formentera, and notes the discontinuation of English translations due to low subscription numbers, despite improvements.
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 18
Page 18
This article introduces a new sundial design that combines the simplicity of a Capuchin dial with the universality of a Regiomontanus dial through the use of nomograms. It explains the principles of subtraction and multiplication nomograms, demonstrating how they are integrated into the dial's coordinate system to calculate solar declination and latitude. The article details how to read the time by aligning a thread and bead, and notes its ability to show sunrise/sunset times and day length. The design aims for an acceptably accurate, universal dial that is easier to construct than other universal types.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dialling Tools, Mathematics of Dialling
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 23
Page 23
This article describes the British Sundial Society's Mass Dial Group meeting held in Malton, North Yorkshire, in June 1994. It provides a light-hearted account of the attendees, their shared interest in dials, and their expedition to view numerous Anglo-Saxon and scratch dials in ancient churches. The author highlights the urgency of recording these crumbling historical artefacts due to environmental deterioration. The article also mentions a humorous discovery related to Shakespeare's "shepherds' dials" and references individuals like Robert Sylvester, Edward Martin (Mass Dial Group Co-ordinator), and Mrs. Alfred Gatty.
The BSS and Members
October 1994
Page 23
Page 23
This article offers a collection of contemporary mottos suitable for sundials, aiming to add to existing literature which often focuses on mortality or religious themes. The author presents various thought-provoking quotations from diverse sources, including Pierre Kohler, Heraclitus, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Emily Dickinson, Carl Jung, Omar Khayyam, Robert Boyle, and others. The purpose is to provide fresh, insightful inscriptions that capture different facets of time, nature, and human experience, encouraging readers to appreciate the philosophical depth that a motto can bring to a sundial's design and message.
Mottoes
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 29
Page 29
This article explains the historical context and mechanisms of the Gregorian calendar reform, initiated by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 to correct discrepancies in the Julian calendar, particularly concerning the accurate determination of Easter. It traces the problem back to the Council of Nicea in AD 325 and the slight error in the solar year's length as calculated by Sosigenes. The reform involved dropping ten days and introducing a new leap year rule. The article also discusses the varying adoption rates across European countries, initial doubts within the Vatican (leading to the construction of a meridian line to verify accuracy), and briefly touches upon modern discussions regarding calendar improvements.
Equation of Time
October 1994
Page 32
Page 32
This article explores the concept of using shadows cast by window sills, jambs, and parapets on floors and walls as simple sundials. It explains the gnomonic principles involved, detailing how the moving "shadow straight line" can indicate the hour. The author provides formulas and diagrams for calculating the shadow's position based on latitude, window sill height and orientation (declination), solar altitude, and azimuth. It outlines the process of drawing date and hour lines, noting practical considerations like difficult-to-read periods for certain sill orientations, and suggests applications for terraces and balconies, or even for single hour lines with time-zone and Equation of Time corrections.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Unusual, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
October 1994
Page 35
Page 35
This section provides an update on the availability of the British Sundial Society's (BSS) sundial program. It announces that the 5¼" disc version is no longer available, but the 3½" discs can still be purchased from the editor, with profits supporting BSS funds. The program runs on IBM compatible systems and requires a graphic adapter for drawing. It also mentions a simpler program by Mr. David Young and another by Mr. H.C. Parr (no longer available in disc form), and suggests the future formation of a group to address specialized aspects of dialling and pool ideas for computer use among members.
Dialling Tools, The BSS and Members
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
October 1994
Page 41
Page 41
This article focuses on the additional informational elements, or "furniture," found on vertical sundials beyond just hour lines. It uses the Queens' College dial as an example of a dial rich in such information (altitude, azimuth, zodiac, sunrise time, day length). The author explains how to calculate and display various furniture types, including equinox and solstice declination lines, altitude and azimuth lines, and monthly declination lines, all based on the shadow cast by a "nodus" on the dial. The methodology involves transforming the vertical dial to an equivalent horizontal dial for simplified calculations and discusses the practical aspects of displaying such data.
Dials: Vertical, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
October 1994
Page 43
Page 43
This section reviews Issue No. 3 of the "Journal of the North American Sundial Society" (NASS) from August 1994. It highlights key articles within the NASS journal, including "A Choice of Sundial Books" by Ross McCluney, a condensed article on transparent window dials, and a piece on the "Fuzziness of Solar Shadows." It also mentions an article on the William and Mary sundial, greetings from NASS to BSS, and news of a reprint of Margaret Gatty's "The Book of Sun-Dials." The review concludes by detailing NASS membership costs and contact information, emphasizing the journal's value as a "treasury of dialling information."
Book Reviews
October 1994
Page 44
Page 44
This section comprises several letters from readers addressing various topics. James Richard discusses a "foolish servant" illustration, explaining that a dial showing anticlockwise figures and equally spaced hours for a full revolution indicates a southern hemisphere, South Pole location using temporal hours. J.R. Bradshaw clarifies the Greek and Latin inscriptions on Kircher's Sunflower Clock, providing transliterations and interpretations. Andrew Ogden describes a recently discovered medieval grave marker in Ireland that resembles a polar sundial base and post, inquiring about missing parts. The letters provide insights into dial interpretation, historical inscriptions, and new discoveries.
The BSS and Members
October 1994
Page 46
Page 46
This section presents two book reviews. The first, "Geometry in Motion" by H. Stephen Stewart, analyses Christ Church in Weems, Virginia, as a comprehensive solar dial incorporating astronomical and calendrical information into its architecture, showcasing the designer's meticulous integration of solar principles. The second, "Oxford Sundials" by Margaret Stanier, provides an outline of sundials in Oxford, categorising them by access and geographical groups. It covers types, the difference between Oxford solar and clock time, and notes the significant collection of stained glass sundials. Both reviews offer insights into historical and architectural dialling, though the latter points out some photographic and mapping shortcomings.
Book Reviews
October 1994
Page 47
Page 47
This article, originally prepared for architecture students, explains the principles governing the sun's position in the sky and its application to architectural sunlighting studies. It details how factors like geographical latitude, time of year (solar declination), and time of day influence sunlight. The article provides key solar orbit equations, introduces practical tools like the matchbox sundial and heliodon for simulating sun movement, and describes methods for visualizing sunpaths. It also discusses architectural applications such as checking sunlight penetration around buildings and through windows, and designing fins and canopies for solar protection, emphasizing the importance of understanding sunlight geometry in building design.
Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
October 1994
Page 49
Page 49
This entry is essentially a brief notice about the "Compendium" journal, which is the Bulletin of the North American Sundial Society (NASS). It reiterates contact and membership information (also found in the Compendium 3 review on page 43), noting that it is a new publication welcomed by the BSS Editor. The description suggests that this publication is expected to become a valuable "treasury of dialling information and computer techniques," making it an essential resource for those interested in sundials.
Book Reviews
October 1994
Page 50
Page 50
This section serves as an "In Memoriam" for George Robert Higgs, a respected and enthusiastic member of the British Sundial Society. It features eulogies from his son, John Higgs, and close friend, David Gulland, along with an appreciation by Anne Somerville and an editor's note. The tributes highlight Higgs' extraordinary life, his quest for knowledge, his talent for design and invention (particularly in sundial making and restoration across Scotland), his warm personality, and his sharp intellect, which remained active even at 93. It recounts anecdotes demonstrating his humour, practical skills, and dedication to sundials and the BSS.
The BSS and Members
February 1993
Page 1
Page 1
This section summarises activities of various sundial societies including De Zonnewijzerkring, Analemma, and Commission of Sundials, Paris. It covers excursions, exhibitions, historical time differences, mathematical articles, moon dials, sundial designs, and construction details. It also reports on society meetings and record-keeping efforts.
The BSS and Members
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 3
Page 3
This study reflects on prehistoric astronomic notations found on scratched pebbles from a cavern, dating back 8-10,000 years. It discusses observations of the sun and moon to mark seasons and years, including lunar cycles like the 18.62-year cycle of extreme moon sets and the 19-year Meton cycle, possibly recorded in megalithic monuments like Stonehenge.
February 1993
Page 8
Page 8
This editorial welcomes articles and letters from BSS members, acknowledging their contributions. It discusses publication standards, including UK English spelling, and highlights the ongoing need for more material and potential future editors. The editor expresses gratitude for members' appreciation and support.
The BSS and Members
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 17
Page 17
This report details the ongoing development of the British Sundial Society's computer database for recording sundials in the British Isles. It covers the evolution of data input forms, transcription, verification processes, and future plans to expand the register, noting uneven coverage across different counties.
The BSS and Members
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 26
Page 26
This report summarises the British Sundial Society's Bath Conference, detailing various talks and activities. Topics included drawing dials, human elements in sundial safaris, computer spreadsheet approaches, celestial sphere models, domifying circles, scratch dials, and the proposed Sundial Award Scheme, fostering companionship and enthusiasm.
The BSS and Members
February 1993
Page 28
Page 28
This article describes an unusual equatorial sundial without a fixed gnomon, featuring a transparent plastic hemisphere. It illustrates the Sun's apparent path and declination throughout the year, explaining how to determine sun time, altitude, azimuth, and declination on any given date using this instrument.
Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Scaphe, Sundial Design & Layout
February 1993
Page 30
Page 30
This article describes Sir Charles Wheatstone's Solar Chronometer, pictured on the front cover, an instrument designed to indicate solar time with high accuracy. It explains its construction, featuring a lens-fitted tube on a polar axis with scales for latitude and sun's declination, intended as a primary standard for setting mechanical clocks.
Dials: Unusual
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
February 1993
Page 32
Page 32
This tongue-in-cheek article introduces 'Nonomoil,' a new product designed to simplify sundial readings by reducing the friction of the shadow on the sundial surface, thus avoiding the discrepancies between sundial time and Greenwich Mean Time. It explains how this annual treatment enhances accuracy and avoids sarcastic comments from onlookers unfamiliar with the Equation of Time.
Dialling Tools, Equation of Time, How Sundials Work
February 1993
Page 34
Page 34
This section presents various letters to the editor. Topics include discussions on movable gnomon dials, moon dials, the term 'aplustre' related to the Tower of the Winds, a found Thomas Grice sundial, and scratch dials. Letters also express appreciation for the BSS journal.
The BSS and Members
February 1993
Page 36
Page 36
This paper elaborates on the theory and construction of bifilar sundials, a twentieth-century type invented by Hugo Michnik. It highlights their equiangular hour-lines, allowing direct reading of standard clock time by simple daily adjustment, and explains how time is indicated by the intersection of shadows from two horizontal threads.
Dials: Bifilar, Dials: Unusual, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
June 1993
Page 1
Page 1
This section reports on activities of the Hungarian Astronomical Association and the Sundial Working Group of the Austrian Astronomical Society, including meetings, museum visits, and lectures on various sundial topics like holographic sundials. It also covers De Zonnewijzerkring's excursions, exhibitions, and a historical account of time differences in the Netherlands, alongside mathematical articles and ongoing efforts to record sundials.
The BSS and Members
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 21
Page 21
This article discusses historical methods for determining exact noon, crucial for regulating early mechanical clocks. It highlights the challenges of precise noon observation with traditional sundials and describes the Dipleidoscope, an ingenious optical instrument invented by James Mackenzie Bloxham and later patented by Dent. This device used prisms or mirrors to achieve accurate noon determination through the visual coincidence of two sun images.
Dialling Tools
June 1993
Page 25
Page 25
This article provides a graphical technique for constructing a qibla line on horizontal Arabic sundials, which indicates the prescribed direction of Mecca for Islamic prayer. It details the mathematical formula for determining the inhiraf angle and outlines a step-by-step construction procedure using a specific template. The article also notes the adaptability of this construction method for finding the azimuth of any other location.
DIY Sundial Projects, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
June 1993
Page 26
Page 26
This article describes a large horizontal sundial monument erected in a public park in Tokyo, Japan, at 35°N latitude. It details the sundial's design, including a massive concrete wedge gnomon with a 35° slope, and discusses the calculation of shadow angles. The text explains how the sundial's Noon Mark accounts for the 20-minute difference between Tokyo's local solar time and its national time zone.
Dials: Horizontal
June 1993
Page 28
Page 28
This article explains the geometric method for laying out a vertical declining sundial, drawing from F.W. Cousin's book Sundials. It details how to determine the style base, style height, equinoctial line, and noon line using a series of right angles and specific angles for latitude and wall declination. The process is illustrated with an example of a vertical dial declining West 30° at Latitude 50°N.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Vertical, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
June 1993
Page 30
Page 30
The Chairman reflects on the importance of acknowledging errors in the field of dialling and maintaining high standards within the British Sundial Society. He shares personal anecdotes of past mistakes and discusses common misconceptions about sundials, such as their role in timekeeping, reasons for their decline, and the historical evolution of their appearance, emphasizing the need for accuracy and critical examination.
The BSS and Members
June 1993
Page 33
Page 33
This article describes a three-dimensional model of the celestial sphere designed to clarify astronomical and gnomonic phenomena. It explains fundamental concepts like the apparent movements of the sun, mean solar time, and the components of the model, including great circles, axis, earth, and movable equator/ecliptic. The article demonstrates how the model illustrates the sun's rising and setting, and the factors contributing to the Equation of Time.
How Sundials Work
June 1993
Page 38
Page 38
This section contains reviews of three publications: Manuscritos Relojeros by Jose Luis Basanta Campos, detailing 45 historical dialling manuscripts; Se Ne Va il Tempo Come L'Ombra by Gianmarco Rebaudengo et al., a pictorial record of sundials in Asti, Italy; and Ivory Diptych Sundials 1570-1750 by Steven A. Lloyd, cataloguing Harvard University's collection with historical introductions.
Book Reviews
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
June 1993
Page 42
Page 42
This article explores Athanasius Kircher's Sunflower Clock, a theoretical and whimsical device described in his 1641 treatise that uses a sunflower's heliotropic movement to indicate time. It discusses the technical and etymological inaccuracy of the term sunclock for sundials, explains the sunflower's mechanism (a pointer against a circular scale), and questions the practicality of such a clock given the plant's limited functional period.
Dials: Unusual
June 1993
Page 43
Page 43
The editor provides an apology for the late publication of the bulletin due to medical conditions and mislaid material. He also welcomes articles and letters from members, outlining publication standards, including formatting requirements, accuracy, copyright considerations, and the preference for English texts. He notes the positive feedback on the bulletin and the approval for reprinting earlier issues.
The BSS and Members
October 1993
Page 1
Page 1
This section reports on activities of the Dutch Sundial Society "De Zonnewijzerkring", including an anniversary exhibition and plans for a meridian line in Utrecht. It also covers a discussion on Stonehenge, a mechanical sundial by A.J.M. van den Beld, and a continuation of M.J. Hagen's list of Netherlands sundials, alongside English abstracts from the Spanish "Analemma" Bulletin.
The BSS and Members
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 8
Page 8
This article explains the Equation of Time, the difference between local apparent solar time (sundial time) and mean solar time (clock time). It details the two astronomical reasons for this variation: Earth's elliptical orbit causing the Sun's speed to change, and the Sun's apparent motion along the ecliptic rather than the celestial equator.
Equation of Time, Mathematics of Dialling
October 1993
Page 12
Page 12
This article describes a unique sundial designed with three styles intersecting at a single point, allowing for the reading of various lines on the dial plane, including azimuth and astrological houses. An example dial is illustrated, delineated for latitude 52° with inclination and declination of 45°, demonstrating how different styles can indicate solar time or other phenomena.
Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout
October 1993
Page 13
Page 13
This article explores using spreadsheet programs to design and create shepherds' dials, simplifying the complex calculations and plotting involved. It details the process of determining the sun's altitude using a mathematical formula and setting up a spreadsheet to generate the necessary data for plotting hour lines on a cylindrical dial, facilitating DIY dial construction.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dialling Tools, Dials: Cylindrical, 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 22
Page 22
This light-hearted article describes the joys and frustrations of "dial hunting," including the excitement of discovering new dials and the disappointment of finding none. It shares anecdotes of interacting with the public who are often unaware of sundial functions and recounts challenges like obscured views and misidentified "sundials," emphasising the dedicated hunter's passion.
The BSS and Members
October 1993
Page 23
Page 23
This article presents a geometric method for determining three unknowns (direction of North, latitude and today's solar declination) from three angular measurements of a vertical pole's shadow. It outlines the mathematical formulae and step-by-step calculations required to find the three unknowns.
How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling
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 26
Page 26
This article details an Open Day showcasing a large equatorial bronze sundial for Mount Tomah Botanic Garden in Australia. It describes various sundial types displayed, including analemmatic dials, and techniques for high-quality sundial design and casting using photopolymer. The article covers historical sundials, navigation instruments, and methods for making accurate hour lines and gnomons, celebrating the spread of gnomonic knowledge.
Construction Projects, Sundial Design & Layout
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
October 1993
Page 39
Page 39
This article describes the design of a horizontal dial commissioned in memory of a police constable and placed in Swindon Town Gardens. The author details the process of laying out hour lines and setting up in the absence of sunshine. It also describes the installation of an analemmatic sundial at Leicester, a photograph shows the preliminary layout, with the observer acting as the gnomon, demonstrating the dial's function in determining time.
Dials: Analemmatic, Dials: Horizontal, Sundial Design & Layout
October 1993
Page 40
Page 40
This article presents a general method to transform a 'normal' sundial layout into a bifilar sundial, suitable for all flat dials, not limited to equiangular hour lines. It explains how to calculate thread heights for the resulting sundial drawing.
Dials: Bifilar, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
October 1993
Page 41
Page 41
This section reviews "Cardrans Solaires des Alpes" by Pierre Putelat and Paul Gagnaire, illustrating 116 vertical sundials, and "Oronce Fine's Second Book of Solar Horology" by Peter I. Drinkwater, covering portable instruments like quadrants and astrolabe-based dials, offering insight into 16th-century timekeeping.
Book Reviews
October 1993
Page 42
Page 42
This section contains letters from readers, including a discussion on "Neolithic Astronomy" and Stonehenge, suggesting early warning systems for climate change. It also features "Errors" pointing out misconceptions in a previous bulletin, and comments on "A Japanese Sundial", "Kircher's Sunflower Clock", and "Kratzer's 'Polyhedral' Sundial", along with a poem about rainbows.
The BSS and Members
October 1993
Page 44
Page 44
This section notes the positive response to a sundial article in 'Practical Gardening' and the increase in BSS membership enquiries. It announces details for the Annual General Meeting and Conference at Urchfont Manor, including a memorial lecture. It also outlines a week-long sundial-themed holiday in Ireland and reports on a stolen sundial from Helmingham Hall, which has since been recovered.
The BSS and Members
February 1992
Page 1
Page 1
This section provides various updates, including news about the Spanish sundial association's bulletin "Analemma" and the Dutch "Der Zonnewijzerkring" bulletin. It announces the Essex Clock Fair where the BSS will be represented, details a BSS computerised dial listing, and outlines the BSS's collaboration with Jodrell Bank for an Educational Resources Centre and sundial installations. It also includes an offer for members to advertise wants/surplus items and announces the XII Scientific Instrument Symposium.
The BSS and Members
February 1992
Page 3
Page 3
The chairman discusses the British sundial heritage, noting its rapid decline due to neglect and vandalism. He emphasizes the importance of the Society's ongoing work to catalogue, record, and research sundials in Britain for their preservation and restoration. He also cautions members about offering restoration advice without professional expertise and highlights the need to identify outstanding sundials for national protection.
The BSS and Members
February 1992
Page 4
Page 4
The Secretary reports on the successful nomination of all current and three new council members, avoiding an election. He encourages more members to volunteer for council or sub-committee roles, acknowledging the challenge of geographical spread. The note also announces the AGM as a one-day event and the annual conference in Bath, plus an update on restoration efforts for a Gloucester church dial and the ongoing complexities with the Collyweston dial due to English Heritage involvement.
The BSS and Members
February 1992
Page 5
Page 5
This article explores Islamic astronomy's role in determining prayer times, particularly the challenge of twilight in higher latitudes like Brussels where true night is absent around summer solstice. It discusses the use of astrolabes and the historical importance of observatories like Maragha and Samarkand, highlighting their monumental instruments and the Koran's influence on precise astronomical observations. It also mentions Maharaja Jai Sing II's five observatories in India, especially the Jaipur Great Samrat Yantra.
Dials: Astrolabe, Mathematics of Dialling
February 1992
Page 11
Page 11
This article reviews historical techniques for telling time by the moon, noting their limited accuracy due to the moon's irregular movements and the need to convert lunar time to solar time. It describes methods like using correction tables (e.g., Queen's College, Cambridge, or Rene Rohr's diagram) and specific moondial instruments (Oronce Fine, Bion). The author also proposes a new model of lunar dial, adapting a horizontal sundial with "lunar hour lines" as spiral curves.
Dials: Unusual, Dials: Nocturnals, Sundial Design & Layout
February 1992
Page 16
Page 16
This article describes Samuel Foster's diametral sundial, a horizontal dial with a movable stile where hour-points lie on a straight line. Its unique feature is that the shadow becomes retrograde daily at a selected hour, allowing for the recreation of the Biblical miracle of Ahaz's dial. The article provides construction details and mathematical justifications for this special form of elliptical dial, also attributing the original discovery of the circular hour-arc dial to Foster.
Dials: Unusual, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
February 1992
Page 18
Page 18
The article proposes an improved method for aligning a sundial gnomon using Polaris, building on previous discussions by Mills and Taylor. It suggests a sighting device made from sheet metal with an eye aperture and a circular target. The method relies on knowing Polaris's angular distance from the true pole and its position relative to the star Beta Ursa Minor (f3 UMi), aiming for an accuracy within 0.25 degrees by aligning Polaris on the target edge opposite f3 UMi.
Construction Projects, Dialling Tools, Mathematics of Dialling
February 1992
Page 19
Page 19
This article describes the azimuth dial, a type of horizontal dial with a vertical style, derived from the equatorial dial formula. It explains that while a vertical style at the center of a horizontal circle cannot show time correctly throughout the year due to declination changes, projecting an equatorial circle onto a horizontal plane forms an ellipse for the hour lines. The article provides the formula for the shadow angle and suggests this as a useful project for understanding geometry and for practical marking in playgrounds or gardens.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Analemmatic, Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Horizontal, Mathematics of Dialling
February 1992
Page 22
Page 22
This article introduces a portable sundial delineator that simulates the sun's movement using a point-source lamp to project shadows. It allows for plotting hour lines on any surface, including irregular ones, by setting the gnomon at the correct latitude and revolving the lamp at 15-degree intervals. The device, suitable as a teaching aid, can also simulate declination for "dial furniture" like equinoxes and solstices by adjusting the lamp's height.
Dialling Tools, Sundial Design & Layout
February 1992
Page 23
Page 23
This article highlights the useful adoption of sundials for navigation in the 20th century, particularly in situations where magnetic compasses were unreliable. It cites examples like Admiral Byrd's "Sun Compass" for polar flights and the "Astro-Compass" used in RAF aircraft during WWII. It also mentions Brigadier Ralph A. Bagnold's "Sun-Compass" for desert exploration and Gerald Dunn's "Cruiserfix" for yachtsmen, demonstrating the sundial's value as a navigation tool.
Dials: Portable
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
February 1992
Page 25
Page 25
This profile introduces Harriet Wynter (born Molly Rich), a prominent figure in the scientific instrument world. It traces her career from working in an electrical instruments factory during WWII to becoming an antiques dealer specializing in scientific instruments. She co-authored a book on scientific instruments, publishes numerous catalogues, and is about to write a book on portable sundials, having recently been made a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Scientific Instrument Makers.
The BSS and Members
February 1992
Page 26
Page 26
This report details the 1991 BSS/Zonnewijzerkring Conference at Queen's College, Cambridge. Highlights included lectures on the split-gnomon dial by Hans de Rijk, Gordon Taylor's equiangular sundial, and Fer de Vries on gnomonics. Delegates toured Cambridge sundials, including an ancient scratch dial and multi-faced dials. Workshop sessions covered dial making by computer, scratch dials, portable sundials, and sundial education.
The BSS and Members
February 1992
Page 28
Page 28
Charles K. Aked discusses the vast and under-catalogued field of dialling literature. He notes the absence of a comprehensive bibliography and shares his own ambitious, ongoing project to compile one, which has already uncovered thousands of entries. The lecture covers the historical evolution of dialling texts, the challenges of translation and accuracy, and the value of modern works over older, often complex and specialized treatises.
Book Reviews
February 1992
Page 33
Page 33
Fer de Vries presents a mathematical method for calculating sundial lines and for determining the inclination and declination of a dial plane. He defines various coordinate transformations needed to convert the sun's position into shadow-point coordinates on any surface, applicable globally. The procedure can also be reversed to find time and date from a shadow, or to determine the dial's orientation from observed shadow points, and is useful for designing mirror or submersible dials.
Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
February 1992
Page 35
Page 35
This is a philosophical poem reflecting on the nature of time. It describes time as a relentless, forward-only motion that encompasses human existence, contrasting humanity's fleeting life and attempts to leave a mark with time's inexorable flow. The poem touches on the building of clocks and recording days, but ultimately emphasizes time's indifference to human endeavors and its continuous, unchanging presence.
February 1992
Page 36
Page 36
This section contains several letters. H.R. Mills provides mathematical formulae for an analemmatic dial, J.G. Freeman describes the bifilar sundial with two horizontal wires, and Alex Monroe encloses a photograph of his portable equatorial dial. M.J. Cowham contributes notes on John Worgan's work, highlighting a distinctive English Rose design on his instruments.
Dials: Analemmatic, Dials: Bifilar, Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Portable
February 1992
Page 38
Page 38
Charles K. Aked explores the etymology and various uses of the word "dial," prompted by a member's use of "dial-ectic." He discusses its Latin origins ("dies" for day) and its evolution from "diurnal wheel" in clockwork to "sundial." The article critiques dictionary definitions for being too loose and traces historical references to "dial" in literature from the 15th to 19th centuries, including its figurative senses and use in distinguishing from mechanical clocks.
February 1992
Page 39
Page 39
Charles K. Aked reflects on the unexpected growth and success of the BSS Bulletin since its inception as a small newsletter. He highlights the rapid increase in membership, the transition to printed issues for clarity and illustrations, and the challenges of rising postage costs. The editor notes the high erudition of contributors, the society's ability to cater to diverse interests (including mass dials and computer programs), and solicits member contributions and suggestions for improvements.
The BSS and Members
February 1992
Page 40
Page 40
This article describes a "protest sundial" unveiled in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, on September 6, 1991. Carved into a granite slab, it features standard astronomical content but incorporates a modified sketch of the former Berlin Wall and a satirical drawing by Honoré Daumier depicting Chronos with a cannon. The creators named it a "protest sundial" as an acerbic comment on the gloomy everyday life in Yugoslavia, reflecting political commentary through gnomonics.
Dials: Vertical, Mottoes
June 1992
Page 1
Page 1
This section provides updates from various gnomonic societies including the Catalan Society of Gnomonics, the Austrian Astronomical Association's Sundial Group, the Unione Astrofilo Bresciani, and Der Zonnewijzerkring. It also includes errata for a previous bulletin article, detailing corrections for 'Sundial Alignment by the use of the Pole Star'.
The BSS and Members
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 8
Page 8
This entry reflects on the British Sundial Society's Council meetings, emphasising their light-hearted yet serious discussions. It also provides an update on the 1992 Annual General Meeting, welcoming new council members like Mr. R.A. Nicholls (Treasurer) and Mr. Robert Sylvester (Membership Secretary), and thanking retiring members for their significant contributions to the Society.
The BSS and Members
June 1992
Page 9
Page 9
This article reports on the British Sundial Society's participation in the Clacton Clock Fair in May 1992. Mr. D.A. Young and Mr. C.K. Aked displayed items, including sundial cigarette cards and a Singleton helical dial, attracting considerable public interest. The event underscored the general public's limited knowledge about sundials and the need for greater publicity for dialling.
The BSS and Members
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 21
Page 21
This article introduces helical sundials as a variation of the equatorial dial, where the receiving surface extends axially along the gnomon in a helix. It describes a prototype by John Singleton, a monumental example in Lerida by J. Masuet, and Piet Hein's design at Egeskov Castle. There are two types: the first has a gnomon casting its shadow, the second uses the shadow cast by the other part of the helical strip. The article explains their operation, with the light/dark boundary marking time and hour markings set by the pitch.
Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout
June 1992
Page 24
Page 24
The phoeboscope is presented as a self-sufficient instrument combining time-keeping, meridian-finding, and calendrical functions by detecting solar declination. Designed during WWII as an improvement of the existing sun-compass, its adoption was frustratingly held up in bureaucracy until too late to be useful. It uses a lens to focus sunlight onto a shadow-plate engraved with an analemma, allowing accurate determination of time, meridian, and date anywhere in the world without a watch or almanac.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Heliochronometer, Dials: Unusual, Equation of Time
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 36
Page 36
This account describes the restoration of a West vertical decliner church dial at Long Newnton, Gloucestershire, initiated by Brigadier Neilson. Colin McVean assisted in redrawing the dial, correcting for local apparent time, and creating a card model. Mr. E.J. Clark then professionally crafted the painted oak dial with gilded Roman numerals, which was successfully erected and confirmed to be accurate.
Dials: Vertical, Restoration projects
June 1992
Page 37
Page 37
This article describes the development of the 'Make a Sundial' educational book by a British Sundial Society group, initiated in response to the National Curriculum requiring primary children to understand and construct sundials. The book, produced using desktop publishing, offers projects for constructing sundials from common materials, suitable for various educational levels.
How Sundials Work, Book Reviews, DIY Sundial Projects, The BSS and Members
June 1992
Page 38
Page 38
This article explores the concept of a tidal dial for estimating tidal times, acknowledging the moon's primary influence on tides over the sun. It discusses the 'Port Establishment' and 'Lunar Situation,' and how a specially designed watch or optical sight, combined with knowledge of the moon's age, could provide approximate tidal information globally, even correcting for hydrographic board errors.
Dials: Unusual, Dials: Nocturnals
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 1
Page 1
This section includes updates from De Zonnewijzerkring and mentions that the BSS tie, exclusively designed for members, is now available featuring the BSS symbol.
The BSS and Members
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 8
Page 8
This report covers discussions from the BSS Council meeting in September 1992, including approaches to the National Trust for sundial inventory, assistance for Hereford Cathedral's dial restoration, and a sundial trail at the Horniman Museum. Financial health, membership updates, and plans for the next AGM at Jodrell Bank are also noted. The education group is producing a dialling video.
The BSS and Members
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 25
Page 25
This article introduces a portable polar sundial design that overcomes the issue of an infinitely long dial face for extreme hour angles. It uses two end-styles, which cast shadows for forenoon and afternoon hours, respectively. The dial can be adjusted using a wedge to correct for the Equation of Time or longitude.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Polar, Equation of Time, How Sundials Work
October 1992
Page 27
Page 27
This article explores hypothetical sundial behaviour on Uranus, where the planet's axis tilt is almost 90 degrees. At solstices, the sun would appear stationary overhead at the pole, and a rod gnomon would cast no shadow. As the sun moves, shadows would form circles, indicating a sidereal day, with significant changes in day length at solstices, leading to a "missing" solar day.
Dials: Unusual, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling
October 1992
Page 28
Page 28
This article describes a Meccano jig designed by Noel Ta'Bois for drawing hour and declination lines on sundial plates of any shape, including curved surfaces. The instrument features a telescopic arm, set by calibrated dials for latitude, declination, and hour angle, which is extended to mark the shadow position of the nodus. It eliminates the need for complex calculations, making it useful for irregular surfaces.
Dialling Tools, Mathematics of Dialling, 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
October 1992
Page 36
Page 36
This entry announces the availability of a computer program by Mr Fer de Vries for sundial calculations, sold to BSS members with proceeds benefiting the Society. Compatible with IBM systems and requiring a graphic adapter for drawing, it comes with explanatory text and is available on disc. An older, simpler program by Mr H.C. Parr is no longer available but its listing can be found in a previous Bulletin issue.
Dialling Tools, Mathematics of Dialling
October 1992
Page 37
Page 37
This article describes the Holker Dial, a large shallow bowl sundial made of Burlington slate, sited at Holker Hall. Designed by Mark Lennox-Boyd, it is a projection of Berossos' hemispherium onto a shallow bowl, marked with 15-minute divisions, zodiacal signs, and a combined table for correcting for longitude offset and Equation of Time. The article details the challenging production process by Burlington Slate, involving computer-calculated polar coordinates for engraving and the moving of massive stone objects.
Construction Projects, Dials: Hemispherical, Dials: Scaphe, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
October 1992
Page 44
Page 44
This "Secretary's Notebook" entry provides updates on upcoming BSS events for 1993, including the Spring Conference and AGM at Jodrell Bank with a "sundial safari". It also mentions a planned summer meeting at Newbury and an autumn trip to Holland following a Dutch invitation. The section details a past "bring and show" day at Newbury and an exhibition at Jodrell Bank.
The BSS and Members
February 1991
Page 3
Page 3
Explains the Equation of Time and how this variation became apparent with the development of accurate mechanical clocks.
Equation of Time
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 6
Page 6
Describes the design of Cross or Star dials, focusing on the concept of the equatorial notch, which has surfaces parallel to the Earth's polar axis. The shadow cast by the outer edge of the notch onto the opposite surface is used to indicate time. The article provides details on the design and depth required for such dials, noting that each notch effectively functions as a separate dial.
Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Polar
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
February 1991
Page 10
Page 10
Addresses the critical step of setting up an equal-hour sundial and suggests that aligning by observing Polaris, the pole star, can be a quicker and more accurate method. Simple tools like a peep-sight or telescope can be used for this purpose.
How Sundials Work, Dialling Tools
February 1991
Page 11
Page 11
Equatorial and Polar Dials explores the principles behind these two types of sundials. The article also covers the Equation of Time and how to account for longitude to tell Greenwich Mean Time with a sundial.
Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Polar, Mathematics of Dialling
February 1991
Page 14
Page 14
A dialogue from a 1675 book discussing the apparent inequality between clock time and sundial time. The discussion reflects the historical debate among clockmakers regarding the sun's seemingly irregular motion. Notes accompanying the excerpt explain that the author, John Smith, was working from an older understanding of the cosmos, and the true reasons for the variation were clarified later.
Book Reviews
February 1991
Page 18
Page 18
Introduces the concept and a model of a sundial designed to tell time without needing to be constructed or adjusted for the specific latitude of the observer. The design utilizes a gnomon with a curved edge and relies on determining the sun's position based on its declination, altitude, and azimuth. The article details the construction of the scales, noting that the model has accuracy limitations, particularly at certain times of day
Dials: Unusual, Mathematics of Dialling, DIY Sundial Projects
February 1991
Page 29
Page 29
A planned initiative to install various types of sundials at the Jodrell Bank Science Centre. This project aims to support the National Curriculum for Schools by providing educational displays for visitors and resources for teachers. The collaboration involves a committee including BSS members and the Science Centre staff.
February 1991
Page 30
Page 30
Presents maps illustrating the number of sundials found in different departments of France and Corsica. The data includes records up to the end of 1989, gathered by the Commission of Sundials in Paris.
February 1991
Page 32
Page 32
This analemmatic sundial in a Cambridge playground functions by having a child stand on a stone, with their shadow falling onto numbered tiles to indicate the time. The design is intended for summer use and features an inscription on the stone base.
Dials: Analemmatic
February 1991
Page 35
Page 35
The "Letters to the Editor" section contains various reader contributions. Topics include a discussion on the Spherical Sundial and its educational versus practical use, instructions for orienting a wall using a card, a query about a permanent filling for slate sundial engravings, a description of a sundial affected by a tree, and a poem about a 'Grey Dial Stone'.
July 1991
Page 1
Page 1
This section compiles news and updates from various sundial societies. It covers new bulletin issues from De Zonnewijzerkring (Dutch) and La Busca de Paper (Catalan), including mathematical dialling, celestial mechanics, and specific sundial descriptions. It also announces the founding of an Austrian Sundial Society and details a rare sun chronometer in Baden, Vienna, designed by Gibbs.
Book Reviews, Dialling Tools, Dials: Heliochronometer, The BSS and Members
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 5
Page 5
Building on Peter Drinkwater's work, this article explores adapting a spherical sundial to indicate mean time for six months of the year, by offsetting the hour marks away from the equator. This is possible because the slanting terminator at different solar declinations, adjusted for corresponding equation of time, happen to fall very close to one of two circles (within 1.5 minutes). The author also discusses using surface texture, like paint brush marks, to significantly improve the dial's readability and precision.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Unusual, Equation of Time, Sundial Design & Layout
July 1991
Page 8
Page 8
This article re-examines plane dials tilted from the horizontal, focusing on clarity, legibility, and environmental compatibility. It explains 'shadow regimes,' how tilt relates to equivalent latitude, and the impact on sun-shadow patterns. Key considerations include local horizons and the 'night factor'—periods where the dial cannot register time. It highlights the clarity of polar regime dials, despite seasonal limitations, for educational and aesthetic purposes.
Dials: Polar, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
July 1991
Page 13
Page 13
This essay explores the Northern Hemisphere bias in gnomonics and common perceptions, such as clockwise movements. The author describes his quest for Southern Hemisphere sundial information, noting the lack of specific literature and the 'anticlockwise' appearance of the sun and shadows there. He recounts finding an 'upside down' map of New Zealand, illustrating the profound difference in perspective for Southern Hemisphere dwellers.
How Sundials Work, The BSS and Members
July 1991
Page 14
Page 14
This article presents a novel DIY sundial for a window sill, featuring a stationary reading point. The author explains the construction process: delineating a vertical sundial as if for exterior mounting, then rotating it 180 degrees about the horizontal axis perpendicular to the window. Read the time by watching the shadows of the hour lines pass a stationary reading point 'nodus' on a horizontal surface. Mirroring the hour figures allows them to be read legibly.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Unusual, Dials: Vertical, 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 20
Page 20
This article, translated by Charles K. Aked, explains the equation of time and its importance for comparing sundial readings to legal time and for drawing analemmas. It outlines three calculation procedures: consulting ephemerides for meridian passage, calculating at 0h UT for precision, and using or constructing tables of mean values. A method for building updated tables is provided, ensuring sufficient precision for dialling needs.
Equation of Time, Mathematics of Dialling
July 1991
Page 22
Page 22
This note introduces F.J. de Vries' new computer program for designing a three-dimensional dodecahedron multi-faced sundial, imagined as made of glass to display various dial lines. The ZONWPLT program interfaces with ACAD to convert dial designs and generate complex geometric models. The article details the computational process, noting the time and files required for the example dodecahedron, and mentions de Vries' subsequent astrolabe program project.
Construction Projects, Dialling Tools, Dials: Multi Faced, Sundial Design & Layout
July 1991
Page 24
Page 24
Mark Lennox-Boyd presents a trigonometric proof for the correctness of the equations for laying out an analemmatic dial, aiming to clarify Rene Rohr's complex explanations. Using a diagram relating equatorial, horizontal, and analemmatic dials, he derives three key formulae: one defining the elliptical shape of the dial, and two describing the vertical gnomon's displacement and the hour points angles. The diagram simultaneously provides a proof for the horizontal dial.
Dials: Analemmatic, Mathematics of Dialling
July 1991
Page 25
Page 25
This article celebrates Linda Lack, an 18-year-old schoolgirl who, advised by S.W. Amos, successfully designed and constructed a horizontal sundial and its pedestal. Her impressive enthusiasm and craftsmanship in engraving, turning the pedestal on a lathe, and mounting the assembly are highlighted as an outstanding achievement for a young person, showcasing positive engagement with materials and science.
Construction Projects, DIY Sundial Projects
July 1991
Page 25
Page 25
This section features reviews of three books. 'Bizkaiko Eguzski-Erlojuak' is a bilingual catalogue of Biscayan sundials. 'Georg Hartmann of Eggolsheim' studies a Franconian mathematician and instrument-maker. 'Sundials' by Mayall and Mayall, reviewed by Gordon E. Taylor, notes updates but also highlights production errors and a persistent 'howler' regarding moon dial observation, emphasizing revision importance.
Book Reviews
July 1991
Page 27
Page 27
This section compiles letters on diverse sundial topics. Gordon E. Taylor recounts issues with sundial projects undertaken by the uninformed, while Denis Schneider discusses possible errors in tidal dial information and moon dial prospects. J.G. Freeman provides a crucial formula for wall orientation calculations. Allan Mills proposes using N and S extensions to the polar axes of a spherical model earth as gnomons, bringing the noon mark to where it would be expected (rather than at the terminator).
The BSS and Members
July 1991
Page 30
Page 30
This article provides specific corrections and clarifications for Albert E. Waugh's book 'Sundials, Their Theory and Construction.' It addresses errors in rules, footnotes, hour line diagrams (particularly for gnomon placement and shadow radiation), table values, and potential confusions in figure labelling, aiming to improve the accuracy and usability of the gnomonic text.
Book Reviews
July 1991
Page 31
Page 31
This profile highlights Christopher St. J.H. Daniel, the Chairman of the British Sundial Society. It details his career from the National Maritime Museum, his specialization in sundial design and consultation, and his numerous notable designs and restoration projects (including the 'dolphin' sundial for the Queen's Silver Jubilee). It also mentions his keen interest in preserving the national sundial heritage and his extensive publications and affiliations within the gnomonic and navigation communities.
The BSS and Members
July 1991
Page 32
Page 32
This report details the 1991 British Sundial Society Annual Conference and AGM in Edinburgh. It highlights a coach tour of Scottish dials, featuring restorations and unique designs, alongside numerous lectures by notable members on historical dials, Newton's work, and educational initiatives. The event also included visits to city dials and museums, emphasizing good fellowship, information sharing, and the BSS's strong foundation.
The BSS and Members
July 1991
Page 34
Page 34
This article introduces the equant dial, a horizontal sundial design inspired by Ptolemaic astronomy, addressing uneven hour spacing in classical dials. It describes how a specific curve is drawn on the dial face, against which an equi-spaced hour-line circle is rotated. This mechanism enables manual adjustments for the equation of time and other corrections, simplifying time reading on such a dial.
Dials: Horizontal, Equation of Time, 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 37
Page 37
This brief item announces a newly published catalogue of Austrian sundials, compiled by Karl Schwarzinger, Chairman of the 'Arbeitsgruppe Sonnenuhren.' The comprehensive catalogue features approximately 1,940 fixed sundials with locations, important features, and historical context. It includes basic gnomonic details to aid usability, along with photographic illustrations, and provides information for advance purchase and group membership.
Book Reviews
July 1991
Page 38
Page 38
This article presents the theoretical basis for a computer program designed to calculate hour lines for various northern hemisphere sundials (direct, declining, vertical, reclining, inclining). It outlines using spherical trigonometry formulas to determine dial plane elements and hour line angles. The author emphasizes robust programming to handle issues like division by zero and inverse trigonometric ambiguities, providing simplified BBC Basic and design guidance.
Dialling Tools, 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 1
Page 1
This section features various updates and news, including highlights from the Scientific Instrument Society's Bulletin, recent publicity for the British Sundial Society in national newspapers, details on a holographic sundial ('holodial') developed by Kristina Johnson and Rob Penland, and mentions regular contributions to "Clocks" magazine and "The Clockmaker" magazine. It notes the BSS Chairman's radio talks and lectures.
The BSS and Members
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 4
Page 4
This article describes "flower dials," a decorative 19th-century European garden method of telling time using flower beds designed as a clock face. Different flowers open at approximate hourly intervals during summer days, synchronized to local solar time. While less accurate and seasonal than sundials, a smaller version with a central sundial feature is suggested as an attractive garden addition.
Dials: Unusual
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 15
Page 15
Gordon E. Taylor reports on the development of the British Sundial Society's computerised sundial register, designed for historical research and restoration. With an estimated 10,000 sundials in the British Isles, the project aims to minimize paperwork by storing key information like location, type, condition, and maker in a database using custom-written programs due to limited funds. Members with computers are invited to assist with data input.
The BSS and Members
October 1991
Page 15
Page 15
This note provides succinct facts about hour angle sundials. It covers topics such as local time variations, the twelve-hour day at equinoxes, dial portability, effects of rotation, limitations of different dial types, gnomon orientation, and the daily and annual changes in sunrise/sunset times and the Equation of Time.
Equation of Time, How Sundials Work
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 20
Page 20
Christopher St. J.H. Daniel discusses the significance and selection of emblems for scientific societies, using nautical examples. He explains why the British Sundial Society chose the equinoctial sundial as its emblem, symbolizing gnomonics and its fundamental role in dialling. Despite some member criticism, the equinoctial dial design is deemed simple, clear, and representative of the art's ancient origins and scientific principles.
The BSS and Members
October 1991
Page 21
Page 21
This profile highlights Robert Sylvester, a keen British Sundial Society member from Cumbria, who greatly aids the national sundial record and publishes a newsletter. It also features Ray Hartland, a retired lay reader from Isel church, who has written about the church's ancient scratch dials, suggesting they were better suited to school day hours than church service times. The earliest surviving British sundial, Bewcastle Cross, is mentioned as being in Cumbria.
The BSS and Members
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 24
Page 24
Fred Sawyer presents a self-orienting equiangular sundial, a modification of the Foster-Lambert hybrid dial, capable of correct orientation without external devices. It functions as both a solar clock and a solar compass, determining true celestial north. The design involves a V-shaped gnomon and two sets of hour-markings, allowing for simultaneous readings of Standard and Apparent time and a straightforward orientation process.
Dials: Foster-Lambert, How Sundials Work, Sundial Design & Layout
October 1991
Page 26
Page 26
This section reviews several books related to sundials. "Orologi Solari - Trattato Completo di Gnomonica" by Girolamo Fantoni is praised for its comprehensive mathematical treatment. "Cadrans Solaires, Artissime, Nyons" is a French publicity booklet for replica dials. "The Gift of Shadows" by W.A. Hutchinson is an unusual book with blue-tinted illustrations. "Cambridge Sundials" by Alexis Brookes and Margaret Stanier is a pleasant, illustrated guide to Cambridge dials. "The Earth in Space" is a leaflet for children published as National Maritime Museum Educational Series Information Leaflet No 3.
Book Reviews
October 1991
Page 28
Page 28
Gerard Sonius developed a sundial for the blind, located at the Bartimeus blind institution in Zeist, Netherlands. This equatorial rotating dial features figures in relief and an electronic device that emits a sound when pointing to the sun. Marks for summer and winter time allow blind users to determine the time in 5-minute intervals, with explanations provided in Braille and print.
Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout
October 1991
Page 29
Page 29
This section includes correspondence from H.R. Mills, who details his homemade "heliochronometer" sundial based on the Gibbs and Pilkington type. He also discusses A.P. Herbert's "Housewife's Trick," warning against adjusting sundials by twisting them in azimuth to correct for BST, as this introduces variable time errors.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Heliochronometer, Equation of Time
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
October 1991
Page 33
Page 33
Maurice Kern describes his simple, legible sundial made from commonplace materials, featuring a translucent semi-cylindrical dial and a conventional gnomon. Designed for readability from multiple angles, it indicates solar time and can be adjusted for local mean time or summer time using the Equation of Time, highlighting a frustration with complex and indistinct conventional dials.
Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout, DIY Sundial Projects
October 1991
Page 34
Page 34
Gordon E. Taylor examines the accuracy of aligning a sundial gnomon using Polaris. He explains that while Polaris is close to the celestial pole, its slight deviation introduces errors. Calculations show a maximum time error of 6.2 minutes for a horizontal dial if Polaris is observed at any time of year, but this can be reduced to 1 minute by observing near upper or lower transit.
Mathematics of Dialling
October 1991
Page 35
Page 35
David Young reflects on his ten years in sundial interest and five years since meeting Andrew Somerville, emphasizing the value of personal contact in the field. He encourages members to connect locally and to consider standing for election to the BSS Council. The notebook also includes updates on available back numbers of the BSS Bulletin and a call for member comments on proposed lapel badge designs.
The BSS and Members
October 1991
Page 36
Page 36
This section provides a listing of a BASIC computer program by H.C. Parr for calculating sundial hour lines, intended to accompany a previous article. The program is designed to save time and prevent errors in sundial computations. Details for obtaining the program on a 5 1/4 inch disk and information about inputting latitude, reclining angle, and declination are included.
Dialling Tools, Mathematics of Dialling
October 1991
Page 37
Page 37
J.A.F. de Rijk describes a new, simple, and more accurate latitude-independent sundial, building upon Freeman's 1978 solution. This type of sundial can indicate local apparent solar time without requiring knowledge of the observer's latitude. The article explains the mathematical principles, focusing on how the product sin(Az)cos(h) and sin(T)cos(δ) are obtained and combined to determine the time (T).
Dials: Unusual, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
February 1990
Page 2
Page 2
This notice reports the death of Dr. F. A. B. Ward, the first President of the British Sundial Society, at the age of 85. It acknowledges him as the foremost expert on dialling in Britain and a significant figure in mechanical horology, highlighting his work at the Science Museum and his numerous publications and lectures.
The BSS and Members
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 4
Page 4
This article, an extract from The Observatory, proposes a method to improve the accuracy of observing shadows by precisely determining the boundary between the shadow and half-shadow using a piece of cardboard on a white screen. This technique can demonstrate the Earth's diurnal motion in seconds and accurately find the noontide shadow position to detect small changes in the Sun's altitude. The author speculates if a similar method was known in pre-telescope times, possibly in connection with structures like the Great Pyramid.
How Sundials Work
February 1990
Page 5
Page 5
This article delves into the history and interpretation of mottoes (inscriptions) found on sundials, noting that their extensive use became popular with the advent of "modern" scientific sundials in the 15th century. It explores various Latin and Greek phrases, often derived from scriptures or classical texts, such as "TEMPVS VMBRA" and "SIC TRANSIT GLORIA MVNDI". The article also discusses how sundials often provide the "Emblem" for common mottoes and the inherent ambiguities in translating Latin inscriptions.
Mottoes
February 1990
Page 8
Page 8
This article describes the sundials located on the Kappelturm (bell tower) of the former Notre-Dame church in Obernai, where 16th-century watchmen improvised sundials scratched directly onto the walls when their mechanical clock malfunctioned. It identifies two sundials on the East face, nine on the South face, and one on the West face. The author notes their inaccurate construction due to the watchmen's lack of gnomonic principles, describing them as "caricatures" of true dials. The article includes detailed figures and footnotes explaining the dial configurations and their historical context, including the use of Roman and Arabic numerals.
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
February 1990
Page 14
Page 14
Easy to Make Wooden Sundials - Instructions and Plans for 5 projects This review covers Milton Stoneman's booklet, which offers step-by-step instructions and templates for constructing various types of sundials, including horizontal, vertical, and equatorial models. It is presented as an accessible introduction to gnomonics, primarily for readers in the United States, and contains sections on sundial history, dial correction, equation of time, longitude, magnetic variation, hour angles, and a list of sundial mottoes. Clockmaking in Oxfordshire 1400-1850 This review discusses Dr. C.F.C. Beeson's book, which, despite its title, includes a small section detailing sundials in Oxfordshire (pages 76-80). It notes that many of these sundials have since vanished but were documented through Beeson's patient research. The review highlights the book's improved indexing and outlines the historical relationship between sundials and mechanical clocks, noting that their partnership ended with the advent of electrical communications
Book Reviews
February 1990
Page 15
Page 15
This article examines Leonard Digges' work, A Prognostication, first published in 1553, which details methods for telling time by the sun and stars using instruments and tables. The accompanying comments describe Digges' instrument as basically a form of equatorial dial with a polar gnomon, which indicates time using a "peculiar Kalendar" for calculations
Book Reviews, Sundial Design & Layout
February 1990
Page 20
Page 20
This paper explores the concept of "regime angle" in sundials, defined as the angle between the style and the dial surface. It introduces the idea that the Earth itself acts as a "show case" for various shadow regimes and illustrates how shadow curves change with latitude, showing examples for locations from the North Pole to the South Pole. The article also features Mr. Woodford's "Amundsen" dial
Dials: Unusual, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling
February 1990
Page 23
Page 23
This article presents a geometrical puzzle related to dialling, referencing solutions previously published. It specifically details the "Thomas Digges Dial 1576," which is described as a tetrahedron with eight faces (four hexagonal and four triangular) inclined to the horizontal. The article outlines calculations for determining gnomon and hour lines for various faces and latitudes of this complex dial.
Mathematics of Dialling
February 1990
Page 24
Page 24
June 1990
Page 2
Page 2
This entry notes the untimely death of Dr. A.R. Somerville, the founding Chairman of the British Sundial Society. The comprehensive tribute article details his life, extensive career in organic chemistry and cancer research, his numerous hobbies including sundials and music, and his vital role in establishing the BSS.
The BSS and Members
June 1990
Page 2
Page 2
This section compiles news items from international sundial societies, reviewing their latest bulletins. It covers topics such as a computer program for dial calculations, an enigmatic Greek dial, a Swedish noon cannon, sundials in Turkey and Egypt, and book reviews from the Dutch, Catalonian, and German societies.
June 1990
Page 3
Page 3
Celebrates George Higgs' 90th birthday, highlighting his career as an electrical engineer and his significant contributions to dialling. It details his work restoring sundials for the National Trust for Scotland, his design of an analemmatic dial, and his collaboration with David Gullan on glass dials.
The BSS and Members
June 1990
Page 5
Page 5
This section features a letter from F. J. de Vries, offering a simplified single shift method for calculating declining/reclining sundials, to which George Higgs provides a magnanimous reply. It also includes various comments from members regarding the Bulletin's quality and content.
Mathematics of Dialling
June 1990
Page 6
Page 6
This report covers the inaugural British Sundial Society conference at Exeter College, Oxford. Key activities included the adoption of the Society's constitution, discussions on the Bulletin, a guided tour of Oxford's sundials, a members' exhibition, and lectures on diverse gnomonic subjects.
The BSS and Members
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 11
Page 11
This entry presents a series of suggestions and queries regarding the British Sundial Society's record form used for documenting sundials. Topics include standardizing photograph types, measurement units, gnomon angle recording, incorporating a scale, and strategies for gathering information from authorities.
The BSS and Members
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 17
Page 17
This article explains the construction and practical application of Lambertian Circles in analemmatic dials. These circles, plotted from a specific centre through the foci of the hour point ellipse, determine the times of sunrise and sunset for any given day, applicable across different latitudes.
Dials: Analemmatic, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling
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
June 1990
Page 25
Page 25
A poem commemorating the first British Sundial Society conference held in Oxford in March 1990. It evokes the timeless atmosphere of the city and reflects on the gathering of seventy like-minded individuals to discuss sundials, blending history with gnomonic science.
The BSS and Members
June 1990
Page 26
Page 26
This entry reviews two publications: L'Ombra e il Tempo by Trinchero, Moglia, and Pavanello, and Catalogue de l'horologerie et instruments de precision by Chapiro, Meslin-Perrier, and Turner. It provides detailed commentary on their content, presentation, and utility for diallists.
Book Reviews
June 1990
Page 28
Page 28
This section lists various publications relevant to dialling, including a 19-page index to Antiquarian Horology, a booklet on The Sundials of Oxford Colleges, and an English translation of Oronce Fine's De Solaribus Horologiis. It also mentions The Ancient Sundials of Scotland and an article on Making Sundials.
Book Reviews
June 1990
Page 29
Page 29
This article describes the empirical method used to construct a double analemmatic noon mark on a south-facing, east-declining wall. Over a year, the author meticulously plotted sunspot positions at noon to permanently engrave the overlapping analemmas, illustrating the dedication required for direct solar observation.
Construction Projects, DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Analemmatic, Sundial Design & Layout
June 1990
Page 31
Page 31
This discussion, referencing Wood's 1866 book, delves into the historical terminology of time-measuring instruments, the etymology of clock and early mentions of sundials in the Bible. It also includes Shakespearean references to dials and descriptions of antique watches incorporating sundials.
Book Reviews
June 1990
Page 32
Page 32
This section presents detailed data on fixed sundials compiled for Austria and the German Democratic Republic, categorized by historical period, type, and photographic availability. It serves as an invitation for international members to contribute information for a planned global sundial listing.
The BSS and Members
October 1990
Page 1
Page 1
This section reviews articles in "Antique Clocks" including "The Sundial Page" by Christopher Daniel, discussing the Greenwich Sundial and declination furniture, and a heliochronometer. It also mentions a Hungarian journal's article on a 1462 astrolabe and a German publication on dialling. Some computer programs are advertised as available. An exhibition in Amsterdam "Images of Time" is mentioned and a video by Hans Behrendt "Glass Window DIals".
Book Reviews
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 14
Page 14
This article addresses the calculation of a gnomon's length for a sundial, clarifying that it's about the ratio of the shadow-casting edge to the distance from the root of the shadow casting edge to the dial plate's edge. It critiques Mr. Sylvester's diagram, presents a pseudo-geometrical medieval method, and provides trigonometric formulas for calculation.
Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
October 1990
Page 15
Page 15
This article explains seasonal hours, a duodecimal system of dividing daylight used before mechanical clocks. It provides accurate patterns for horizontal and vertical seasonal-hour sundials suitable for latitudes 50-60° in the British Isles, noting that hour lines are shallow curves rather than straight.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Vertical, Sundial Design & Layout
October 1990
Page 22
Page 22
This appreciation describes Andrew Somerville's crucial role in founding the British Sundial Society (BSS) in 1989. It recounts his initiatives, including lectures, conferences (like the Oxford Gnomonics Conference), and future plans for the society, highlighting his dedication, intellect, and modesty in dialling endeavours.
The BSS and Members
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 25
Page 25
Reviews cover "Cadrans Solaires de Precision - Notions theoriques et realisation a I'aide de I'informatique" by Yves Opizzo and "The Ancient Sundials of Scotland" by Dr. Andrew R. Somerville;
Book Reviews
October 1990
Page 26
Page 26
This article, presented in a question-and-answer format, describes a didactic hemispherical sundial that models the Earth's relationship to the sun. It explains how the shadow of a bead indicates date and time, distinguishes it from ancient Greek dials, and clarifies why it needs occasional adjustment about its axis to display clock time.
Dials: Hemispherical, Equation of Time, How Sundials Work
October 1990
Page 27
Page 27
This profile outlines Charles K. Aked's career from industrial chemist to Principal Scientific Officer in the Royal Naval Scientific Service. It highlights his extensive contributions to horology, including editing books, founding AHS groups, being a Fellow of NAWCC, and his current roles as Editor of the British Sundial Society Bulletin and The Clockmaker.
The BSS and Members
October 1990
Page 27
Page 27
A poem reflecting on a sundial's neglect after a tree grows and casts a permanent shadow over its face. It expresses the sundial's longing to be restored to sunlight and function again, lamenting its current state as a forgotten, shaded monument.
October 1990
Page 28
Page 28
This announcement officially opens a memorial fund for the late Chairman, Andrew Somerville, following his tragic death. It solicits contributions from members and invites suggestions for the form the memorial should take, with deliberations to be held at the next BSS Council meeting.
The BSS and Members
October 1990
Page 28
Page 28
This guide provides step-by-step instructions for beginners to construct a south-facing vertical sundial using basic geometry. It covers drawing hour lines at 15° intervals and determining gnomon placement, encouraging readers to transfer their design to a permanent plate and understand the difference between local solar time and clock time.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Vertical, Sundial Design & Layout
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 5
Page 5
An article by Rene R-J. Rohr discusses Lambert's circles and their relationship to analemmatic sundials. The article discusses how to determine the times of sunrise and sunset using these circles, including their application to the universal dial of Antoine Parent, and how they can be used to create a sun compass.
Dials: Analemmatic, Mathematics of Dialling
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
July 1989
Page 12
Page 12
Contrasts the "true" time indicated by sundials with the artificial time of clocks (GMT, BST) and advocates living in accordance with the sun's rhythm.
Equation of Time
November 1989
Page 2
Page 2
The author explores applying the analemmatic dial principle to vertical planes, contrasting it with the more common horizontal version. The article provides the trigonometric calculations necessary for constructing such a dial on a vertical declining plane, detailing how to find the sub-style to meridian, the dial's "latitude," and the difference of meridians. It describes the layout process involving primary and minor axis circles to generate hour points and arcs for zodiacal signs, explaining why a movable gnomon is impractical for vertical planes and instead a horizontal rod is used. The dial is presented as a philosophical exercise, a functional piece for those interested in the Zodiac, or an aesthetic wall ornament.
Dials: Vertical, Dials: Analemmatic, Mathematics of Dialling
November 1989
Page 5
Page 5
The construction of sundials is discussed, with references to available books on the subject. Several books on sundial construction are mentioned including works by Winthrop W. Dolan, Christopher St. J. H. Daniel, and Peter I. Drinkwater. Delves into practical considerations such as selecting dial types based on site orientation and potential obstructions, which can significantly limit the hours indicated. It describes methods for finding the true meridian and determining latitude, as well as calculating local solar time differences and applying the Equation of Time for accuracy. Tips on personalising dials with mottoes are given, alongside advice on design elements like borders and additional indications, with a caution that too many details can make a dial confusing. The importance of using durable materials that can withstand the climate is emphasised, contrasting permanent materials like bronze with less resilient ones
Book Reviews, Sundial Design & Layout
November 1989
Page 7
Page 7
This article examines sundial inscriptions, or "posies," from a manuscript by John Parmenter, a priest from the 17th century. The article examines thirty-three sundial mottoes and provides interpretations of their meanings
Mottoes
November 1989
Page 11
Page 11
Advice is provided on how to photograph sundials, including considerations for equipment, lighting, and composition. The article suggests taking multiple shots, including a general view of the building and a close-up of the dial.
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
November 1989
Page 13
Page 13
An extract from William Stukeley's diary mentions a "spot dyal" invented by Gilbert Clark, which shows the time within a room using a ray of sunlight
November 1989
Page 14
Page 14
Advice is provided for those who are beginning to search for sundials, including where to look and what equipment to bring.
November 1989
Page 15
Page 15
Describes a 1576 manuscript related to Lord Burghley detailing a complex sundial on a geometric body. This body is composed of triangular and hexagonal planes, with three of each type containing dials. The hexagonal dials include a "Meridionall Inclinatorye" face and two "declinatory Hexagonalls," which are noted as particularly difficult to construct. The piece lists the various indications marked on these dials, such as vulgar and unequal "Planet hours," Zodiac signs, Azimuths, and Almicanteras, as well as their general uses like determining sunrise/sunset, sun altitude, and celestial positions.
Dials: Multi Faced
November 1989
Page 16
Page 16
A novel sundial system that uses fibre optics to display the time remotely. The system comprises a "sensor unit" placed in direct sunlight and a "display unit" located indoors, linked by flexible fibre optic cables. The sensor unit utilises a lens to focus sunlight onto a screen fitted with fibre optic ends positioned at five-minute intervals. These fibres transmit light to the display unit, which shows a moving point of light on a circular screen resembling a clock face. The system includes adjustments for latitude and Summer Time, and an extra fibre provides a double spot indication on the hour. The editor adds that this optical design, based on Benoy's patent, can indicate time even in hazy conditions and offers improved accuracy and contrast.
Dials: Unusual
November 1989
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