Mr Neale's Patent Globes; Armillary Sphere, Azimuth Compass

Maker William Rider (English, 1723 - 1785)

Date1759

Object number00001480

NameEngraving

MediumInk on paper

DimensionsOverall: 349 mm

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionEngraving of naviational instruments from 'Riders Universal Dictionary' depicting 'Mr Neale's Patent Globes Communicated by the Patentee'. Figure 3 is an 'Armillary Sphere' or spherical astrolabe, Figure 4 is an 'Azimuth Compass'. Engraved for 'Riders Universal Dictionary', first published London,1759.HistoryAn armillary sphere is a model of objects in the sky (on the celestial sphere). Featuring a spherical framework of rings, centred on Earth or the Sun, that represent lines of celestial longitude and latitude and other astronomically important features. It differs from a celestial globe, which is a smooth sphere whose principal purpose is to map the constellations. An azimuth compass is a nautical instrument used to measure the magnetic azimuth, the angle of the arc on the horizon between the direction of the sun or some other celestial object and the magnetic north. Azimuth compasses were important in the period before development of the reliable chronometers needed to determine a vessel's exact position from astronomical observations. Little is known about the 'ingenious' Mr Neale but a review of his globes from 1757 was very positive: "..and their usefulness is facilitating the knowledge of those useful sciences, geography, astronomy etc. But a compleat [sic] idea of these machines, and their various uses, is only to be attained by having recourse to the globes themselves, and seeing the several problems performed on them; nor it is impossible to conceive how natural the several appearances are represented, and how easily the knowledge of the principles of geography and astronomy may be attained by the help of these globes." Monthly Review or Literary Journal Volume 7, September 1757.