1875 Butterfield-Style Folding Pocket Sundial by J. Baum & Co.

Ornate Victorian Butterfield-style Pocket Sundial by J. Baum & Co., of Birmingham. Dated 1875, this interesting chased gilt, folding subsidiary sundial has a fixed gnomon with inset button compass, engraved detail and arabic numeral hour markations. Often touted as the "wristwatch of the Victorian era", these portable sundials were favored by the upper-class throughout the 19th century. Fantastic condition. 

Brass dial plate with central hinge and hole in right-hand leaf. Hour scale divided 5 - 12, 1 - 7, numbered by 1 (subdivided to 15 minutes; 12, 5 and 6 not numbered). Folding gnomon for latitude 44˚ N, marked ‘BIRMINGHAM PATENT’ around base.

Featured in the Whipple Museum at the University of Cambridge.