George Margetts, London

• Layered three-dimensional paper with rotational indications inscribed: to the top corners: "A table of the Mean Time, of New Moon in January new stile from 1763, to 1910" to the lower corners: "The New Invented Astronomical Rotula for shewing the rising & setting of the sun, moon and stars, with the time of new moon and full moons and eclipses for 6000 years before or after any year of the 18th century, by George Margetts," along the base the dedication: "To his Grace the Duke of Marlborough, this Astronomical Rotula is by Permission, most humbly dedicated by his Grace's most humble servant" with, beneath this to the left "No. 128" and to the right "George Margetts, No. 12 Ludgate Street," printed at the lower edge of the zodiac ring the engraver: "T. Blake, fculp, No. 53, Shoe Lane, Holborn"

Terence Camerer Cuss, The English Watch 1585-1970, 2009, pp. 270-271, pl. 164

Some light foxing and staining but generally in good condition. Modern frame in good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping."

Astronomical rotulas by Margetts are exceptionally rare, another, although incomplete example, numbered 110, belongs to the Royal Scottish Museum. As much a mathematician as a horologist, George Margetts was born in Woodstock, Oxfordshire on 17th June, 1748. It is thought that he was apprenticed as a clockmaker locally, perhaps working for the first 10 years of his career close to Woodstock. Margetts was made free of the Clockmakers’ Company in 1779, by which time he had presumably moved to London. He was elected to the Livery of the Clockmakers’ Company in 1799. Margetts, was a petitioner to the Board of Longitude on several occasions, with the goal to secure funds for his various projects that related to finding Longitude and improvements in astronomy. The Board did grant him some funding as did the East India Company. In 1789, 90 and 93, he published two volumes of tables "…containing the True Horary Angle with the Altitudes of the Sun, Moon and Stars.." and a logarithmic rotula to accompany them. Though little is known about his life, he remains remembered for his astronomical watches and eight-day chronometers. Margetts died at home in 1804 after a time spent in St. Luke’s lunatic asylum. For further information on Margetts, see Anthony J Turner, "New Light on George Margetts", Antiquarian Horology, vol. VII, no. 4, 1971, pp. 304-316 and Anthony G. Randall, The Time Museum Catalogue of Chronometers, 1992, pp. 234-240. For an example of a George Margetts’ astronomical watch, see lot 44.