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Washington Teasdale
Still Life Arrangement of Items Relating to Astronomy
1880s (probably)
Cyanotype
7.2 x 9.7 cm
Museum of the History of Science
Gabb Collection, Inventory Number: 38479, Accession Number: 1949-10
LL/93978
Cyanotype (blueprint) positive, mounted on dark brown card with gilt edges. Horizontal format. Tableau or still life arrangement of instruments and prints representing the photographer's interest in astronomy and the geometrical study of orbital motion; the ensemble contains chiefly a 'rotameter' (not in the present sense of the term) displayed on top of a turned or carved box, a small portable transit instrument, probably home-made (centre), and a cannon-type sundial, and (centre, behind) Henry Perigal's printed diagram illustrating the 'Orbits of the Planets' by means of kinematic bicircloids. The oil lamp at the back probably sits on the little round tray at the near end of the transit instrument, for illuminating the cross-hairs in night-time use.
Teasdale was a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and president of the Leeds Astronomical Society (see 35156); but he was equally associated with microscopy, geology, mechanics, meteorology, and photography - a range of interests typical of the Victorian scientific amateur, and represented by his photographs. Microscopy is the theme of the companion tableau or still life arrangement 67947.
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