Live Auction 9540Travel, Science & Natural History
A CORNISH DIP CIRCLE
Lot 64

A CORNISH DIP CIRCLE

WILLIAM WILTON, CIRCA 1835

Closed10 October 2013

Price Realised

GBP 6,250

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A CORNISH DIP CIRCLE
WILLIAM WILTON, CIRCA 1835
the lacquered brass Fox-type dip circle signed on graduated base W. Wilton ST DAY Cornwall, the dipping needle in chamber with hinged glass window, silvered dial 90°-0°-90°-0°, mercury thermometer with ivory centigrade and fahrenheit scales, bubble level and three screw feet -- with an autograph manuscript signed 'R.W. Fox' in pen, 5 pages describing the use of his new dipping needle in Ireland, dated 17 Ocotber 1835
8in. (20cm.) high

Specialist note

The dip circle invented by Robert Were Fox (1789-1877) was a favourite of the British Royal Naval Polar Expeditions. The magnetician Sabine on the Erebus and Terror with Captain James Clark Ross in 1840-1 called to attention "all who take interest in the results of researches, to the invaluable aid for which magnetical science is indebted to Mr. Ross".