1st May, 2024 13:00
Science, Medicine & Early Technology
An Unusual 24" (60cm) Boxwood Gunter Rule
in boxwood, 1st half 19th century, signed 'JONES LATE WELLINGTON 1 CROWN COURT SOHO London', front with navigation scales which are engraved 'NAVIGATION SCALES BY B. DONN' marked Leagues, Rumbs, Chords, Tange, S. Tang, Secants, M.Long & Chor, also engraved along the top edge is a scale marked 'Guns Dia, the the reverse is a scale marked S. Rumb, SC S Sec, V. Sines, Tangent, Meridian, Continued Num Root, Num Cube, and along the top edge 'R. Dist: SC: DEF. SCC . D. LAT', 'SC . MID . LAT . DEF . R . D. LONG', 'SCL . SO . DEC: R . SO . AMP', 'D LAT: DEF: TAN 45 T COURSE', & 'D LAT DEF . MD . LAT . D . LONG' 60cm
Condition: nice clear scales, chip to beveled edge 2.5cm long
The Gunter Rule, devised by Edmund Gunter (1581–1626), was devised to streamline mathematical calculations crucial in navigation. This tool was specifically tailored for use alongside a pair of dividers, facilitating computations through the measurement of lengths against various scales. Gunter's innovation, the logarithmic scale, introduced in 1623, underpins the functionality of this rule. Its utility persisted in navigation practices until the 19th century.
Sold for £238
Result including buyers premium
in boxwood, 1st half 19th century, signed 'JONES LATE WELLINGTON 1 CROWN COURT SOHO London', front with navigation scales which are engraved 'NAVIGATION SCALES BY B. DONN' marked Leagues, Rumbs, Chords, Tange, S. Tang, Secants, M.Long & Chor, also engraved along the top edge is a scale marked 'Guns Dia, the the reverse is a scale marked S. Rumb, SC S Sec, V. Sines, Tangent, Meridian, Continued Num Root, Num Cube, and along the top edge 'R. Dist: SC: DEF. SCC . D. LAT', 'SC . MID . LAT . DEF . R . D. LONG', 'SCL . SO . DEC: R . SO . AMP', 'D LAT: DEF: TAN 45 T COURSE', & 'D LAT DEF . MD . LAT . D . LONG' 60cm
Condition: nice clear scales, chip to beveled edge 2.5cm long
The Gunter Rule, devised by Edmund Gunter (1581–1626), was devised to streamline mathematical calculations crucial in navigation. This tool was specifically tailored for use alongside a pair of dividers, facilitating computations through the measurement of lengths against various scales. Gunter's innovation, the logarithmic scale, introduced in 1623, underpins the functionality of this rule. Its utility persisted in navigation practices until the 19th century.
Auction: Science, Medicine & Early Technology, 1st May, 2024
