Sun dial of the "helio-chronometer" type in bronze... Lot 127

Sun dial of the "helio-chronometer" type in bronze engraved "Pilkinson & Gibbs Ltd" on the upper face of the main ring. In French and engraved on the main tray "C'est l'heure de faire du bien". England circa 1910. Diameter 23 cm, height 27.5 cm. Note: George James Gibbs invented and patented this type of helio-chronometer. It was manufactured about 1000 of them by Pilkington & Gibbs between 1907 and 1914 (outbreak of the First World War). Because of the weight of the metal used, a very large number of them were melted down during the Second World War. So there are very few left. It was renowned for its accuracy in calculating average time. In 1907, the promotional pamphlet claimed to determine the time to one minute from the actual time. It is made of an assembly of about twenty finely machined bronze components. Details on the operation of the P&G Heli Stopwatch can be found in the British Sundial Society Bulletin Vol. 18.