An early small rectangular silver protractor by Jonathan Sisson, c. 1735
€1,100
Circa
1735
Country of manufacture
UK and Ireland
Description
A rare and luxuous English rectangular protractor made in silver, engraved “J. Sisson London”, circa 1730-1740.
The protractor, small in size, measures 10.8cmx3.3cm.
As well as the usual angular double scale the instrument is engraved, on the other side, with a diagonal scale for plotting distances on a map or plan and of the six reduction or chart scales.
Jonathan Sisson (1690-1747) was a prominent English maker of scientific instruments, inventor of the telescope theodolite and renowned for its highly accurate divisions.
English silver instruments from this period are rare.
For another example of a nearly similar size but later produced by Nairne, see Catalogue of the Andrew Alpern Collection number 11, pages 22-23.
The penultimate photo shows the image of a Sisson trade card illustrating this same type of protractor, and the last photo shows the size difference between a standard-sized rectangular protractor and this example by Sisson.
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Dealer information
Le Zograscope
Established by Alexandre Piffault in 2014 and based in Paris at 5 rue de Condé, 75006, very close to Odéon, Le Zograscope specializes in antique and rare books in Science, Medicine and Technology, and rare antique instruments in the same fields. We have especially a strong interest in early and continental microscopy, early and special mathematical/drawing instruments, medical and surgical instrument, and rare technology.
Personnal website : https://www.lezograscope.com/
