F1367-2

Astronomical compendium, leaf IIIb Long Caption: Astronomical compendium for latitude 49° north (vertical dial). It is divided into six leaves. Leaf Ia features a windrose with 16 points marked; eight of them named in German. Pivoted at the centre of the leaf is a hand-shaped indicator and at the North point is a circular hole for viewing the compass. On leaf Ib is the vertical dial, with an hour circle, and the dial for the length of day, with hour-lines drawn horizontally and the signs of the zodiac also marked. The gnomons for use with these dials are missing. Leaf IIa is empty, but would once have contained a compass and possibly also a horizontal dial. Leaf IIb displays the lunar volvelle. On leaf IIIa is the snake mark of Hans Ducher and a stamp of approval. The leaf is inscribed around the edges 'COMPASSVS PROPE FERRVM NON REGE ASSIGNARE POTEST' (The compass cannot indicate correctly when near iron). On leaf IIIb are two inscriptions: one similar to the inscription on leaf IIIa, and the other: 'DER SPOTER.SOL.NICHTS.VERACHTEN.DEN ER KANS BESSER MACHEN' (The critic should despise nothing unless he can make it better). Credit line: © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London Object: AST0453 Artist: Hans Ducher Date: 1597 Medium: brass Size: 15 mm x 49 mm x 720 mm Click here to buy a bespoke print of this image.