‎Shirow Masamune: ‎
‎Compass.‎

‎Libri Tres: In Quibus Primo Constructio Circini Proportionum Edocetur. - [THE INVENTION OF THE PROPORTIONAL COMPASS]‎

‎Mainz, Balthazar Lipp, 1605. 4to. Bound in a beautiful 18th century full mottled calf binding with double gilt line-borders to boards. Edges of boards gilt. Expertly rebacked perfectly matching the boards and the gilding. With gilt leather title-label and gilt ornamentations. End-papers renewed. B2 and B3 defective in lower blank margins, not affecting text. A nice and clean copy. 53, (1) pp. + 1 folded plate and numerous illustrations in text. ‎

‎The exceedingly rare first edition of the first work to describe the construction of the adjustable proportional compass – the first work to describe both its construction and its application. The adjustable proportional compass became an indipensable tool for calculations and measurements for over three centuries. The proportional compass was a seminal calculating instrument in use from the end of the sixteenth century until the nineteenth century. Consisting of two rulers of equal length joined by a hinge, it was a precursor to the sector and could be used for solving problems in proportion, multiplication and division, geometry, and trigonometry, and for computing various mathematical functions, such as square roots and cube roots. The sector derives its name from the fourth proposition of the sixth book of Euclid, where it is demonstrated that similar triangles have their like sides proportional. Some sectors also incorporated a quadrant, and sometimes a clamp at the end of one leg which allowed the device to be used as a gunner's quadrant. “The device was apparently first developed by Joost Bürgi and first published by Levinus Hulsius (1604). Hulsius offered the instrument for sale and thus limited himself to instructions for its use and did not detail its construction. The present work provides construction details on the hindge and the creation of the scales.” (Tomash & Williams). The sector was invented, essentially simultaneously and independently, by a number of different people prior to the start of the 17th century. Credit for the invention is often given to either Thomas Hood (who did not claim priority himself), a British mathematician, or to the Italian mathematician and astronomer Galileo Galilei. Galileo, with the help of his personal instrument maker Marc'Antonio Mazzoleni, created more than 100 copies of his proportional compass design and trained students in its use between 1595 and 1598. Of the credited inventors, Galileo is certainly the most famous, and earlier studies usually attributed its invention to him. James Kynvyn, Robert Beckit and Charles Whitwell all at some point also seem to have claimed to priority of the invention.Giordano Bruno, shortly before his death, also saw its potential. It could measure the infinitesimal fractions of the angular degrees and calculate the proportions between lines, geometric shapes and solids, working on the proportionality and commensurability of angles and segments. This new precision in calculations confirmed Bruno’s thesis of the existence of the physical minimumas opposed to the Aristotelian thesis of the infinite divisibility. (see: Zaffino, Giordano Bruno and the Proportional Eight Spike Compass) The many claims of invention, however, do not deprive Horcher of being the very first to describe the actual construction of the instrument, thus being of seminal importance in its widespread use over more than three hundred years. Tomash & Williams H164‎

‎An Essay on Magnetic Attractions: particularly as respects the Deviation of the Compass on Shipboard, occasioned by the local Influence of the Guns, &c with an easy practical Method of Observing the same in all Parts of the World.‎

‎London, J. Taylor, 1820. Uncut in orig. boards. Part of Spine-paper gone and frontboard detached. Stamps on title-page. XII,145 pp., 1 folded engraved plate. Publisher's catalogue at end. Internally clean and fine.‎

‎First edition of a main contribution to the understanding of magnetic deviation.""In 1819 Barlow became interested in the compass deviation caused by the iron in ships. He therefore investigated the action of terrestrial magnetism and conducted a series of experiments on the interaction of iron objects and compass needles. His results, published as Essay on Magnetic Attractions (1820), described a method of correcting ships’ compasses by use of a small iron plate. For his discoveries in magnetism he was made a fellow of the Royal Society in 1823 and received the Copley Medal in 1825. He also received international recognition and several awards for his contribution to navigation."" (DSB).‎

‎Tim G. Guide to mine leveling and to survey mines with a degree and compass. In ‎

‎Tim G. Guide to mine leveling and to survey mines with a degree and compass. In Russian (ask us if in doubt)/Time G. Rukovodstvo k rudnichnomu nivelirovaniyu i k semke rudnikov gradusnikom i kompasom.. 2 ed., amended and completed. From 92 images in the text. S.Pb.Publishing House of K.L. Ricker. 1890. 242s. SKUalb06dd7b226e7a7a15.‎

‎An Essay on the Variation of the Compass, shewing how far it is influenced by a change in the direction of the ship's head, with an exposition of the dangers arising to navigators from not allowing for this change of variation. Interspersed with Practical, Observations and Remarks.‎

‎Edinburgh Printed for William Blackwood, Prince's Street; and John Murray, Bookseller of the Admiralty and Board of Longit, 1817 ‎

‎Scarce First Edition. This is an ex-library of the copy from the Literary And Philosophical Society in Newcastle. In brown / green cloth hardback boards. Complete; including frontis folding chart entitled "Exhibiting the Variation of the Compass agreeable to the position of the Ships Head at the time of Observation. Also the track of His Majestys Ships Sybille & Princess Carolina in a Cruize to East Greenland in 1814." Boards are darkened, and have some very small spots of soiling. Fold-out has small tear to very edges. Unfortunately, aside from the expected library stamps at the front and on verso of fold-out, the book has some damage from damp. Several of the pages have obviously stuck together at some point, and been forcibly opened, leading to loss of text. Most of the tables are still in a good condition, but towards the back the condition is worse. Only in a fair condition. See photos. 140 pages. 220 x 140 mm (8Ÿ x 5œ inches).‎

‎Magnetic compass on ship. In Russian (ask us if in doubt)/Magnitnyy kompas na ko‎

‎Magnetic compass on ship. In Russian (ask us if in doubt)/Magnitnyy kompas na korable. Compiled by V. Pavlinov. Published by the Main Hydrographic Department. Edition 2 revised and supplemented. Petrograd. Type of Maritime Ministry in the Main Admiralty. 1918. 2 V IV 206 p.: Table devil. We have thousands of titles and often several copies of each title may be available. Please feel free to contact us for a detailed description of the copies available. SKUalbb9e50f8c74e14e8e‎