M0017323: Front side of an astrolabe with the components assembled, 1572

Previous title, replaced October 2020: Astrolabe when components are together showing the front

Photograph of the front of a 1572 astrolabe, an instrument previously used to determine the altitude of the sun or other celestial bodies. Signed "HOC FACET [sic] VIVES" and inscribed "DON. COLVBINUS. DE. ALFIANO. MONACUS. VALLIS. VMBROSE. VTEBATUR. MD.LXXII" [Don Columbino de Alfiano, Monk of Vallombrosa, 1572]. It was acquired by the Wellcome Historical Medical Museum prior to 1923 and accessioned in 1959 (accession number R64/1959). It is not held by Wellcome Collection. Related images: M0017322-M0017327

April 1959

2 photographs glass plate negative; 10.2 x 12.7 cm photographic print; 9.5 x 11.5 cm

Wellcome Collection holds the accession register which provides an entry for the item: R64/1959

Copyright is held by Wellcome Collection

Catalogue data comes from a combination of entries in the original glass plate registers, metadata created when the glass plates were digitised in the early 2000s and enhancements made by the cataloguer in 2022.

Please consult the digitised version as this item is fragile. Email library@wellcomecollection.org to request access to the physical item.