Pantograph

Maker Benjamin Martin (British, 1704 - 1782)

Date1756 - 1776

Object number00039841

NamePantograph

MediumBrass, ivory

Dimensions70 x 120 x 590 mm, 1.46 lb. (0.66 kg) [Lead weight 1.6kg]

ClassificationsTools and equipment

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionLate 18th century pantograph by instrument maker Benjamin Martin used for copying charts and maps at various scales. Parts of a pantograph similar to this one have been recovered from the wreck site of HMS SIRIUS - wrecked at Norfolk Island in March 1790.HistoryBenjamin Martin (1704-1782) was an instrument maker, lecturer and author. Noted for optical instruments such as microscopes and glasses an invoice in the Banks Papers held by the State Library of New South Wales (Series 06.032) records that Martin supplied Dr Daniel Solander with mirrors on 9 May 1772 as part of provisions for Cook's second Pacific voyage. From 1755 - 1763 Martin wrote a monthly article for the General Magazine entitled The Young Gentleman and Lady's Philosophy in which Cleonicus- a student, instructs his sister Euphrosine in astronomy, globes, optics, telescopes and other subjects. A coloured illustration (by W. Owen) of the brother and sister seated around a large globe with a telescope and night sky visible through an open window was printed in a 1755 edition of the General Magazine (p.63a). In 1776 Martin retired from business and was declared bankrupt in 1782. He attempted suicide (unsuccessfully) but died later in 1782.SignificanceThis finely made pantograph is significant as a representative example of the technological precision achieved in the 18th century in navigation instruments. The precision of charts reproduced from such pantographs were directly related to the quality of the instrument and the technical expertise of the instrument maker.