A rare early example of an English wooden pocket sundial compass, dating from c.1850, made by James Parkes of Birmingham. The sundial compass has a wooden case, made from Yew, and a typical Parkes design paper compass card, with the distinctive Parkes 'Left Eye' Trade Mark at the North point. It has a blued needle with gold painted markers and brass pivot, and a pin and lever operated transit lock which locks the needle when the lid is closed. The original paper label inside the lid includes full instructions for the set up and use of the sundial. This particular type of pocket sundial design was previously thought to have only been made by Francis Barker during the mid Victorian period. One of the earliest he is known to have made was for Robert Gogerty of 72 Fleet Street around 1855 (Gogerty ceased trading in that year and died in 1856).
Although the design and dimensions of this Parkes sundial are very similar to the Barker sundials, there are several significant differences. The style and arrangement of the hour markers around the edge of the case is quite different to the usual Barker design, the hinges are much more substantial and fitted to the lid differently, and the instruction label is written in italics - which the Barker version never was. The lid also has a slightly curved top surface - again something that is not seen on the Barker sundials.
It is possible that this instrument was made by Francis Barker and simply retailed by James Parkes, but if that was the case there would have been no reason for Barker to introduce significant changes to his usual design. The most likely solution seems to be that this sundial was made by James Parkes - either as his own original design that was later copied and adapted by Francis Barker, or that Parkes saw an early version of the Barker design and then adapted it. The wording of the Parkes and the Barker instruction labels are virtually identical - so it seems undeniable that some copying was going on. But it also seems certain that this particular sundial was made by Parkes - Barker would not have fitted it with a 'Left Eye' Trade Mark compass card, or made all the changes to his usual design. And Parkes had established his business in Birmingham in 1815 - long before Francis Barker started trading in London. So who was the originator of this very distinctive type of pocket sundial - Francis Barker or James Parkes? We may never know, but the Parkes sundial is certainly a very intriguing and important addition to the story of English pocket sundials.
Condition
In very good, virtually 'museum' condition, full working order and finds North well. The wooden case, clasps, hinges, and lid support are all in very good condition. The transit lock is fully functional. The paper compass card, needle, and glass are in very good condition. The original paper instructions label inside the lid is in very good condition.
Dimensions: 50mm x 75mm x 18mm
James Parkes (1786-1877) established his business in Birmingham in 1815. City directories described his initial business as a “gilt toy manufacturer” and “stamper and piercer”. As Parkes was not a goldsmith, “gilt” probably meant lacquered brass or other metals. At that time, “toy” referred to small items, such as snuff boxes, jewelry cases, and other metal items. James Parkes' book of 'Items and Customers' dating from 1833-1837 is held in the Birmingham Archives and describes the business as 'Manufacturers of optical and mathematical instruments'. James Parkes only son, Samuel, became a partner in about 1846, forming James Parkes & Son. A catalogue produced in 1848, described the business as 'manufacturers of improved measuring tapes, land chains, mathematical instruments, miners’ and mariners’ compasses, watch keys, seals, &c., &c'. An 1849 Birmingham city directory described them as 'manfs. of mathematical instruments and gilt toys'. Their 1857 catalogue prominently featured microscopes and prepared slides. Samuel Parkes continued the business under the same name after his father’s death. Samuel had only one son, also named Samuel. That son, and a nephew, James Moulton, continued the business after the elder Samuel died. Moulton left the partnership in 1908, and Samuel T. H. Parkes continued alone for a number of years.
Francis Barker & Son: were established in London in 1848, as a maker of compasses and scientific instruments. One of the most important British scientific instrument makers of the Victorian era, Francis Barker produced a very wide range of compass designs throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, supplying major retailers such as Negretti & Zambra, J. Lizars, C. W. Dixey, Dollond, and many others. The company prospered until 1932, when it was taken over and became F. Barker & Son (1932). After WW2 the company changed hands several times and the name is now owned by Pyser Optics of Edenbridge in Kent. They continue to produce the renowned Barker M-73, widely acknowledged to be the world's finest prismatic compass.
Sundial Compasses had been made in Europe since the late 17th century, with wooden cased types known to have been made since the early 19th century. Further details of sundial compass design, and the history of pocket sundial compasses, can be found at the compassmuseum.com website, page: http://www.compassmuseum.com/sundials/sundials.htm
