Astronomical Compendium by Humfrey Cole, 1568
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1568
This gilt brass astronomical compendium, measuring 66 x 60 x 20 mm, was made in London by Humfrey Cole and dated 1568. Constructed in the form of a book with an external suspension ring, it functioned as a multi-purpose scientific instrument for its first owner, the printer and publisher Richard Jugge.
The device contains a quadrant with folding sights, a compass with a geometrical square, and a universal equinoctial sundial. Internally, the instrument features a table of latitudes for 33 towns and a calendar covering the months of January to June. The front cover bears a circular engraving of Jugge's canting badge, surrounded by foliate strapwork. Some components, including the plummet for the dial, the calendar for July to December, and the original back cover and clasps, are no longer present.
The instrument remains in the collection of the Museum of the History of Science, Oxford.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Date
- 1568
- Type
- English astronomical compendium
- Maker
- Humfrey Cole
- Material
- Gilt brass
- Dimensions
- 66 x 60 x 20 mm
- Original Owner
- Richard Jugge
- Place recorded
- London
- Maker / attribution
- Humfrey Cole
- Location of Signature
- Internal leaf
Design
- Visible features
- • The universal equinoctial dial features a rotating hour ring with Roman numerals. • The interior contains a compass with a blued needle and a 32-point rose. • Engraved foliate decoration appears on the exterior case and internal plates.
- Scientific Functions
- The compendium serves as a versatile tool for calculation and observation. On the inner front cover, a quadrant with folding sights allows the user to measure the height of the sun or buildings using either a 'Quadrans Astronomicus' or a 'Quadrans Geometricus' scale. A plumb bob was originally attached at the vertex for use with these scales. The instrument includes a compass with a blued needle set in a silvered bowl, surrounded by a 32-point compass rose. This is integrated into a removable unit that also incorporates a geometrical square and a circle of degrees. A universal equinoctial sundial is hinged between the two main leaves, with a quadrant slot to adjust the dial according to latitude. A table listing the latitudes of 33 major towns is engraved on one leaf, while the opposite side contains a calendar for the first half of the year. The calendar is marked with golden letters, zodiacal signs, and various saint's days, following a layout derived from Leonard Digges' publications.
- Construction and Design
- The compendium is constructed from gilt brass in the form of a book, designed with an integrated suspension ring that allowed the user to wear the device as a pendant. Two projections on the front cover indicate that clasps were originally fitted to hold the device closed. Internally, the instrument is divided into several sections, including a quadrant, a compass unit, a universal equinoctial sundial, a table of latitudes, and a partial calendar. The instrument is designed for portability, with specific compartments for drawing tools, although these tools are currently missing. The interior of the back cover is blank, distinguishing it from the ornate treatment of the other surfaces.
- Provenance and Inscriptions
- The instrument is signed by the maker, Humfrey Cole, with an inscription placed between two columns of town names. The engraving 'HVMFRAY . COOLE . MADE . THIS . BOKE + ANNO . 1568 .' explicitly identifies the maker and the date of production. The front cover prominently displays a circular badge belonging to the first owner, Richard Jugge, who was a Master of the Stationers' Company. The badge is an allusion to his name, featuring a nightingale (which sings 'jug jug') and a tree. This same symbol was utilized by Cole in his 1572 map engraving for Jugge's edition of the Bishops' Bible, suggesting a long-standing association between the maker and the publisher.
Identification
- Reference
- 36313
- Inventory Number
- 36313
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: The back cover and clasps are described as likely replacements.
- Research required: The calendar is incomplete, lacking the portion from July to December.
- Research required: The plummet originally used for the equinoctial dial is missing.