FERGUSON (JAMES)
The Astronomical Rotula Shewing the Change and Age of the Moon, the Motion of the Sun, Moon and Nodes, with all the Solar and Lunar Eclipses, 5 sheets engraved by J. Mynde after Ferguson, comprising 4 volvelles over a circular scale, working with central thread intact, cut square to size of scale sheet (just within platemark on sides, not touching printed area), slightly frayed at margins, 320 x 320mm., c.1739
Footnotes:
SCARCE 'ASTRONOMICAL ROTULA' invented and designed by the Scottish scientific instrument maker James Ferguson (1710–1776). Designed to demonstrate the motions and positions of the sun and moon, including the dates when the moon's path crossed the earth's orbital plane and hence the dates of solar and lunar eclipses. Ferguson had 'sent a description to Professor Colin Maclaurin, who suggested a slight correction and volunteered to organize a subscription to enable it to be engraved and published' (ODNB). It is calculated to show the days of all the new and full moons from the years 1752 until 1800.
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