The 43" tube is fabricated of cast brass sheet. The focal length is 45" and total length of the tube equals 46 1/2" and it is mounted on a mahogany tripod for use in a standing position. The finder is a 9 3/4" telescope with crossed hairs. The control handle for horizontal adjustment is missing, as is part of that for vertical adjustment. The wooden tripod can be used as altazimuth or parallactic mounting so that the telescope might be used for terrestrial or celestial viewing. The wooden, cylindrical, telescope base on top of the tripod is divided into two halves of an angle of 25 1/2° and pivoted at the center on a tapered axis, vertical to the plane of division. When the two halves form a cylinder, the top surface is horizontal and may be used for terrestrial viewing. By turning the top half 180°, the top surface makes an angle of 51° with the horizontal (the latitude of London). These two positions are indicated on the cylindrical bodies by two lines, 180° apart. The lines of marked by two thin ivory strips inlaid in the wood. Marked, "Dollond, London." (Robert P. Multhauf, "Catalogue of Instruments and Models," 1961).

Rectangular wood dial covered with paper consisting of two leaves that fold flat. The dial is surrounded by a decorative border with a floral pattern. String gnomon (no longer extant) would attach between the inner surfaces of the two leaves. Exterior top: list of cities in the Americas, Italy, France, Spain, and Germany along with sundial's numerical position. Interior: sundial base and embedded compass (no longer functioning).

This telescope consists of a 35" brass tube with a 2.95" aperture, and focal length of approximately 25". There is an integral folding brass stand, for use on a table. There are two terrestrial and four astronomical eyepieces, all of the Huygens type, the use of which is described in an instruction sheet affixed to the box. The small intermediate lens, a cemented doublet of 1.4" characteristic of this type of telescope, is located within the tube. The instrument is Inscribed: "Dialytical telescope for the use of the American Philosophical Society held at Philadelphia. Invented 1832 and made by S. Plösel in Vienna the 1 of August 1834." (Robert P. Multhauf, "Catalogue of Instruments and Models," 1961).

Brass construction, mahogany covered, one telescoping section. 1 5/8" aperture. Length 20" closed, 35 1/2" extended. Marked "Blunt, Cornhill, London." (Robert P. Multhauf, "Catalogue of Instruments and Models," 1961).

Two blocks of wood, hinged to be closed for carrying. A compass is set in the lower block. Both blocks are scaled to the gnomon which is a thread extending diagonally between them. The cover block has on its exterior surface a rotatable wooden disc with pointer and scale. Marked with tables and scales in Chinese script. Down the sides of the dial are 13 holes for setting the angle of the lunar dial. (Robert P. Multhauf, "Catalogue of Instruments and Models," 1961).

Insulated glass container with platinum wires, brass, and mesh. Presented along with the papers of William Francis Gray Swann (APS Library).

This telescope includes a 2" aperture. Its length is 10 1/4" closed, 32 1/4" extended. It is constructed out of brass and the outermost telescoping section is covered with reddened wood. This instrument is marked, "Plösel in Wien." Handwriting on tube reads: "Presented to the Am. Philos. Society Philadelphia / By Charles Nagy Member of the Hungarian Acady / attached is Imperial -- Vienna -- of Sciences of Pest-- / Jany 4, 1833." (Robert P. Multhauf, "Catalogue of Instruments and Models," 1961).

Two-draw hand telescope; brass, with mahogany barrel. The eye-piece is protected by a sliding guard; a brass cap fits over the end of the barrel. No maker's mark. Probably of English origin, about 1800. Retains its original chamois case.

Brass sundial with three adjustable legs and two levels attached to the side. Engraved along perimeter of top of compass: "Paris 49 Londres 51 St Petersbourg 59 Madrid 41 Milan 45", along with sundial's numerical position. Engraved on underside of compass: "Lisbonne 42 Constantinople 41 Berlin 52 Vienne 48 Hambourg 53."

The telescope is made of brass and consists of a 33 1/2" tube on 25" axis with a 1 3/4" aperture and a focal length of 32". Mounted on a brass stand of two rigidly connected A-frames, for use on a table. There are crossed hairs in focal plane, semi-circular scale of 9" radius attached to the bottom of the tube, and a suspended spirit level. Its construction is generally in accordance with earlier European convention. Unmarked. (Robert P. Multhauf, "Catalogue of Instruments and Models," 1961).

Pine case without embellishment. The dial is 10 5/8" diameter, probably of cold silvered brass. Unmarked. Heavy brass plates with a pillar at each of the four corners contain the deadbeat escapement and going train of two many-toothed wheels. The motion work is between the dial and front plate. A small gear on the #2 gear arbor drives a large gear carrying the minute hand. The hour hand is driven by the latter gear through a compound idler gear and pinion. The second hand is mounted on the escape wheel arbor. The pendulum vibrates seconds and is mercury compensated. It is in two pieces connected by a yoke, and suspended by two springs. A thermometer is mounted on the back of the case. (Robert P. Multhauf, "Catalogue of Instruments and Models," 1961).

Brass octagonal plate with gnomon. Conventional style of horizontal pedestal dial. Marked "John Iles, Londini, 1725, Sunny Hours." Inscribed figure of Father Time.

Mahogany block with inset compass and cover. Possibly contemporary inked inscription, "Belonging to the globes presented by W. & S. Jones, 18 April 1800." (Robert P. Multhauf, "Catalogue of Instruments and Models," 1961).

Prior to 1895 the Dial existed as separate pieces in the collection. At that time, they were assembled in an incorrect configuration and have since been disassembled. A reproduction base in the shape of a figure of Hercules was made in 2001, but it is unlikely that such a figure would have been used on this piece. This compass may not be original to the piece, and its face and part of the gnomon are missing. The instrument is marked for equal and planetary hours, common and Italian hours, with appropriate conversion tables. The base is elaborately decorated with a Biblical relief of the two miracles of Isaiah, and the bowl with the Zodiac. This type of dial requires both a vertical gnomon and a diagonal gnomon. In the present example, the former would consist of a pointed rod in the center of the bowl (now occupied by a compass); the latter of a figure holding a staff (part of which is restored), mounted to the rim. A string from the center to the end of the staff would form the second gnomon. Engraved. "CHRISTOPHERUS SCHISSLER GEOMETRICUS AC ASTRONOMICUS ARTIFEX AUGUSTAE VINDELICORUM FACIEBAT ANNO 1578" along outer rim of the underside of the bowl.