Rare Ivory Diptych Sundials 1570-1750 Harvard Collection William Andrewes Signed For Sale

Up for sale is a uniquely significant, highly collectible association copy of Ivory Diptych Sundials, 1570–1750, published by Harvard University’s Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments in August 1992.

This specific volume features a fascinating, historic handwritten inscription on the title/flyleaf page from legendary horologist, dialist, and curator William (Will) Andrewes.

The Inscription Reads:

"For Les Ward, In appreciation of all you have done and are doing to make the electronic version of this catalogue a reality. With all good wishes, Will Andrewes. 25th August 1992"

Why This Copy is Historically Significant:

This is not a standard signed book; it is an important museum artifact in its own right. William J.H. Andrewes served as the David P. Wheatland Curator of Harvard’s Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments from 1987 to 1999. He is a world-renowned authority on timekeeping, famous for organizing the 1993 Longitude Symposium and creating the luxury "Longitude Dial."

This book was inscribed directly to Les Ward, the technical computer/database specialist tasked with digitizing Harvard's elite instrument collections in the early 1990s. Signed on August 25, 1992—the exact month of the book's release—this copy directly documents the birth of the museum's digital archiving era.

About the Book:

Authors: Steven A. Lloyd, Penelope Gouk, and A. J. TurnerFormat: Hardcover with illustrated dust jacket

Publisher:

Harvard University Press, 1992

Subject:

A meticulous, beautifully illustrated catalogue tracking 82 historical portable ivory diptych sundials crafted in historic centers like Nuremberg, Paris, and Dieppe. It remains a definitive reference work for horological scholars and antique instrument collectors.

Except for minor edge wear on the dust jacket, this copy is clean and very fine.

Beautiful fascinating book.