This mid-19th century scientific reference book, Introduction to Modern Geography, explains geography and astronomy using the globe of the world as a teaching aid. The inscription connects this book to the Bobinawarrah Public Library but research to date has found no further details about the library. The rural area was settled in 1859, but in 2016 its population was only 87. It is situated about 21 kilometres south of the City of Wangaratta, in Northeast Victoria. In 2024 the local community received a grant for preservation of its almost 100-year-old Bobinawarrah Memorial Hall which displays an honour board of the Pioneers of Bobinawarrah 1859-1959. The donor of the book lived in Warrnambool. ABOUT THE AUTHOR, James Thomson (1786-1849): - James Thomson was a British Irish mathematician. He became Professor of Mathematics at the University of Glasgow. He wrote many school textbooks and reference books, one of which was Introduction to Modern Geography, first published in Belfast in 1827, and revised and published in over 20 more editions. Thomson tutored two of his several children at home. His older son James Thomson (1822-1892) became an engineer and physicist. His younger son William Thomson (1824-1907) became Professor of Natural Philosophy from 1846-1899 at the University of Glasgow, and later the 1st Baron of Kelvin, famous for his designs of nautical instruments such as the navigational compass and sounding equipment used in the transatlantic installation of sea cable. William was part of the firm that became famous as Kelvin & Hughes Ltd., suppliers of radar and echo sounders to the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Defence. The name continued on as Kelvin & Hughes. James Thomson (1786-1849) was a renowned British Irish mathematician and Professor of Mathematics at the University of Glasgow. He was a respected author of many important school books and textbooks that were widely used to provide understanding of arithmetic and geography. Thomson encouraged practical education and held extra classes for young ladies to learn mathematics and geography, which were a novelty at that time. Many of his works were known and used worldwide. This work was published in many editions. It is now considered as culturally significant as a basis for knowledge about our civilisation and has been made publicly available in overseas countries, and republished and reproduced in a readable format, including its diagrams and maps. Book; scientific textbook. The book has a black leather cover. The front cover is blank, but the spine has an embossed gold vertical title within a rectangular border boasting fancy corners. The fly page has a detailed title. The author is James Thomson. It is the Eighteenth edition, published in Simms & McIntyre of London and Belfast in 1845. An inscription connects it to the Bobinawarrah Public Library in Victoria.Spine within a gold border: "THOMSON'S GEOGRAPHY" Fly Page: "AN INTRODUCTION TO MODERN GEOGRAPHY, WITH AN APPENDIX, CONTAINING AN OUTLINE OF ASTRONOMY, AND THE USE OF THE GLOBES. BY JAMES THOMSON, LL.D., PROFESSOR OF MATHEMATICS IN THE UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW." "Eighteenth Edition" "LONDON: SIMMS AND McINTYRE, ALDINE CHAMBERS, PATERSOSTER ROW; AND DONEGALL -STREET, BELFAST.""1845"flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, introduction to geography, james thomson, reference book, professor thomson's introduction to modern geography, bobinawarrah public library, james thomson mathematician, james thomson engineer, 19th century irish mathematician, irish presbyterian, william thomson 1st baron of kelvin, professor of mathematics, glasgow university, william thomson professor of natural philosophy, introduction to modern geography, outline of astronomy, use of the globes, james thomson ll.d., simms and mcintyre, 1843, scientific book, school book, lord kelvin, baron kelvin of langs, nautical instruments, marine instruments, transatlantic cable, kelvin & hughes, thomson’s geography, astronomy, geography, world globe, cartography, pioneers of bobinawarrah, textbook

Kelvin Company History: The origins of the company lie in the highly successful, if strictly informal, the relationship between William Thomson (1824-1907), Professor of Natural Philosophy at Glasgow University from 1846-1899 and James White, a Glasgow optical maker. James White (1824-1884) founded the firm of James White, who was an optical instrument maker in Glasgow in 1850. He was involved in supplying and mending apparatus for Thomson's university laboratory and working with him on experimental constructions. White was actually declared bankrupt in August 1861 and released several months later. In 1870, White was largely responsible for equipping William Thomson's laboratory in the new University premises at Gilmore hill. From 1876, he was producing accurate compasses for metal ships to Thomson's design during this period and this became an important part of his business in the last years of his life. He was also involved in the production of sophisticated sounding machinery that Thomson had designed to address problems encountered laying cables at sea, helping to make possible the first transatlantic cable connection. At the same time, he continued to make a whole range of more conventional instruments such as telescopes, microscopes and surveying equipment. White's association with Thomson continued until he died. After his death, his business continued under the same name, being administered by Matthew Edwards (until 1891 when he left to set up his own company). Thomson, who became Sir William Thomson and then Baron Kelvin of Largs in 1892, continued to maintain his interest in the business after James White's death in 1884, raising most of the capital needed to construct and equip new workshops in Cambridge Street, Glasgow. At these premises, the company continued to make the compass Thomson had designed during the 1870s and to supply it in some quantity, especially to the Admiralty. At the same time, the firm became increasingly involved in the design, production and sale of electrical apparatus. In 1899, Lord Kelvin resigned from his University chair and became, in 1900, a director in the newly formed limited liability company Kelvin & James White Ltd which had acquired the business of James White. At the same time Kelvin's nephew, James Thomson Bottomley (1845-1926), joined the firm. In 1904, a London branch office was opened which by 1915 had become known as Kelvin, White & Hutton Ltd . Kelvin & James White Ltd underwent a further change of name in 1913, becoming Kelvin Bottomley & Baird Ltd . Hughes Company History: Henry Hughes & Sons was founded in 1838 in London as a maker of chronographic and scientific instruments. The firm was incorporated as Henry Hughes & Sons Ltd in 1903. In 1923, the company produced its first recording echo sounder and in 1935, a controlling interest in the company was acquired by S Smith & Son Ltd resulting in the development and production of marine and aircraft instruments. Following the London office's destruction in the Blitz of 1941, a collaboration was entered into with Kelvin, Bottomley & Baird Ltd resulting in the establishing Marine Instruments Ltd. Following the formal amalgamation of Kelvin, Bottomley & Baird Ltd and Henry Hughes & Sons Ltd in 1947 to form Kelvin & Hughes Ltd., Marine Instruments Ltd then acted as regional agents in the UK for Kelvin & Hughes Ltd who were essentially now a part of Smith's Industries Ltd founded in 1944 and the successors of S Smith & Son Ltd. Kelvin & Hughes Ltd went on to develop various marine radar and echo sounders supplying the Ministry of Transport, and later the Ministry of Defence. The firm was liquidated in 1966 but the name was continued as Kelvin Hughes, a division of the Smiths Group. In 2002, Kelvin Hughes continues to produce and develop marine instruments for commercial and military use. This model compass is a good example of the commercial type of instruments made by Kelvin & Hughes after the world war 2, it was made in numbers for use on various types of shipping after the second world war and is not particularly rare or significant for it's type. Also it was made no earlier than 1947 as the firms of Kelvin, Bottomley & Baird Ltd and Henry Hughes & Sons Ltd who took over from Smith & Sons were not amalgamated until 1947. Given that Smith and Sons is engraved on the compass with Kelvin & Hughes it can be assumed that this compass was made during the company's transitional period to Kelvin & Hughes.Compass, marine or ship's card compass, gimble mounted, with inscriptions. Type is Lord Kelvin 10 inch compass card. Made in Great Britain by Kelvin Hughes Division of S. Smith & Sons (England) Ltd. "LORD KELVIN 10.", "COMPASS GRID", "MANUFACTURED IN GREAT BRITAIN BY", "KELVIN HUGHES DIVISION", "S. Smith & Sons (England) Ltd".flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, marine compass, gimble compass, ship's compass, lord kelvin compass, smith and sons england ltd, henry hughes & son ltd london england, kelvin bottomley & baird ltd glasgow scotland, kelvin & hughes ltd, navigation instrument, scientific instrument, william thomson, james white, baron kelvin of largs

Navigators use parallel rule with maps and charts for plotting a specific course on a chart. One long edge is used with the compass rose on the chart, aligning the centre of the rose with the desired direction around the edge of the rose. The compass bars are then ‘walked’ in and out across the map to the desired location so that lines can be plotted to represent the direction to be travelled. Kelvin Company History: The origins of the company lie in the highly successful and strictly informal relationship between William Thomson (1824-1907), Professor of Natural Philosophy at Glasgow University from 1846-1899 and James White, a Glasgow optical maker. James White (1824-1884) founded the firm of James White, an optical instrument maker in Glasgow in 1850 and was involved in supplying and mending apparatus for Thomson university laboratory and working with him on experimental constructions. White was declared bankrupt in August 1861 and released several months later. In 1870, White was largely responsible for equipping William Thomson laboratory in the new University premises at Gilmore hill. From 1876, he was producing accurate compasses for metal ships to Thomson design during this period and this became an important part of his business in the last years of his life. He was also involved in the production of sophisticated sounding machinery that Thomson had designed to address problems encountered laying cables at sea, helping to make possible the first transatlantic cable connection. At the same time, he continued to make a whole range of more conventional instruments such as telescopes, microscopes and surveying equipment. White's association with Thomson continued until he died. After his death, his business continued under the same name, being administered by Matthew Edwards until 1891 when he left to set up his own company. Thomson who became Sir William Thomson and then Baron Kelvin of Largs in 1892, continued to maintain his interest in the business after James White's death in 1884, raising most of the capital needed to construct and equip new workshops in Cambridge Street, Glasgow. At these premises, the company continued to make the compass Thomson had designed during the 1870s and to supply it in some quantity, especially to the Admiralty. At the same time, the firm became increasingly involved in the design, production and sale of electrical apparatus. In 1899, Lord Kelvin resigned from his University chair and became, in 1900, a director in the newly formed limited liability company Kelvin & James White Ltd which had acquired the business of James White. At the same time Kelvin's nephew, James Thomson Bottomley (1845-1926), joined the firm. In 1904, a London branch office was opened which by 1915 had become known as Kelvin, White & Hutton Ltd. Kelvin & James White Ltd underwent a further change of name in 1913, becoming Kelvin Bottomley & Baird Ltd. Hughes Company History: Henry Hughes & Sons were founded in 1838 in London as a maker of chronographic and scientific instruments. The firm was incorporated as “Henry Hughes & Sons Ltd” in 1903. In 1923, the company produced its first recording echo sounder and in 1935 a controlling interest in the company was acquired by S Smith & Son Ltd resulting in the development and production of marine and aircraft instruments. Following the London office's destruction in the Blitz of 1941, a collaboration was entered into with Kelvin, Bottomley & Baird Ltd resulting in the establishing “Marine Instruments Ltd”. Following the formal amalgamation of Kelvin, Bottomley & Baird Ltd and Henry Hughes & Sons Ltd in 1947 to form Kelvin & Hughes Ltd. Marine Instruments Ltd then acted as regional agents in the UK for Kelvin & Hughes Ltd who were essentially now a part of Smith's Industries Ltd founded in 1944 and the successors of S Smith & Son Ltd. Kelvin & Hughes Ltd went on to develop various marine radar and echo sounders supplying the Ministry of Transport, and later the Ministry of Defence. The firm was liquidated in 1966 but the name was continued as Kelvin Hughes, a division of the Smiths Group. In 2002, Kelvin Hughes continues to produce and develop marine instruments for commercial and military. This model parallel map ruler is a good example of the commercial diversity of navigational instruments made by Kelvin & Hughes after World War II. It was made in numbers for use by shipping after the second world war and is not particularly rare or significant for it's type. Also it was made no earlier than 1947 as the firms of Kelvin, Bottomley & Baird Ltd and Henry Hughes & Sons Ltd who took over from Smith & Sons were not amalgamated until 1947. It can therefor be assumed that this ruler was made during the company's transitional period to Kelvin & Hughes from Smith Industries Ltd.Brass parallel rule in wooden box with blue felt lining.Rule inscribed on front "Kelvin & Hughes Ltd" " Made in Great Britain"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, parallel rule, kelvin & hughes ltd, map ruler, plot direction, navigation, maps, echo sounder, kelvin & james white, lord kelvin, baron kelvin of largs, scientific instrument

In 1941, the scientific instrument manufacturing firms of  Henry Hughes & Son Ltd, London, England, and  Kelvin Bottomley & Baird Ltd, Glasgow, Scotland, came together to form Kelvin & Hughes Ltd. Kelvin Company History: The origins of the company lie in the highly successful and strictly informal relationship between William Thomson (1824-1907), Professor of Natural Philosophy at Glasgow University from 1846-1899 and James White, a Glasgow optical maker. James White (1824-1884) founded the firm of James White, an optical instrument maker in Glasgow in 1850 and was involved in supplying and mending apparatus for Thomson university laboratory and working with him on experimental constructions. White was declared bankrupt in August 1861 and released several months later. In 1870, White was largely responsible for equipping William Thomson laboratory in the new University premises at Gilmore hill. From 1876, he was producing accurate compasses for metal ships to Thomson design during this period and this became an important part of his business in the last years of his life. He was also involved in the production of sophisticated-sounding machinery that Thomson had designed to address problems encountered laying cables at sea, helping to make possible the first transatlantic cable connection. At the same time, he continued to make a whole range of more conventional instruments such as telescopes, microscopes and surveying equipment. White's association with Thomson continued until he died. After his death, his business continued under the same name, being administered by Matthew Edwards (until 1891 when he left to set up his own company. Thomson who became Sir William Thomson and then Baron Kelvin of Largs in 1892, continued to maintain his interest in the business after James White's death. In 1884 raising most of the capital needed to construct and equip new workshops in Cambridge Street, Glasgow. At these premises, the company continued to make the compass Thomson had designed during the 1870s and to supply it in some quantity, especially to the Admiralty. At the same time, the firm became increasingly involved in the design, production and sale of electrical apparatus. In 1899, Lord Kelvin resigned from his University chair and became, in 1900, a director in the newly formed limited liability company Kelvin & James White Ltd which had acquired the business of James White. At the same time Kelvin's nephew, James Thomson Bottomley (1845-1926), joined the firm. In 1904, a London branch office was opened which by 1915 had become known as Kelvin, White & Hutton Ltd. Kelvin & James White Ltd underwent a further change of name in 1913, becoming Kelvin Bottomley & Baird Ltd. Hughes Company History: Henry Hughes & Sons were founded in 1838 in London as a maker of chronographic and scientific instruments. The firm was incorporated as “Henry Hughes & Sons Ltd” in 1903. In 1923, the company produced its first recording echo sounder and in 1935 a controlling interest in the company was acquired by S Smith & Son Ltd resulting in the development and production of marine and aircraft instruments. Following the London office's destruction in the Blitz of 1941, a collaboration was entered into with Kelvin, Bottomley & Baird Ltd resulting in the establishing “Marine Instruments Ltd”. Following the formal amalgamation of Kelvin, Bottomley & Baird Ltd and Henry Hughes & Sons Ltd in 1947 to form Kelvin & Hughes Ltd. Marine Instruments Ltd then acted as regional agents in the UK for Kelvin & Hughes Ltd who were essentially now a part of Smith's Industries Ltd founded in 1944 and the successors of S. Smith & Son Ltd. Kelvin & Hughes Ltd went on to develop various marine radar and echo sounders supplying the Ministry of Transport, and later the Ministry of Defence. The firm was liquidated in 1966 but the name was continued as Kelvin Hughes, a division of the Smiths Group. In 2002, Kelvin Hughes continues to produce and develop marine instruments for commercial and military. G. Falconer Company History: G Falconer (Hong Kong Ltd) appear to have had a retail presence in Hong Kong since 1885, according to the company website, and currently have a shop in the Peninsula Hotel. G Falconer was the Hong Kong selling agent for several British companies. Ross Ltd of 111 New Bond St London was one and the other was Kelvins Nautical Instruments. Falconers were primarily watchmakers, jewellers and diamond merchants.They were also agents for Admiralty Charts, Ross binoculars and telescopes, and sold English Silverware and High Class English Jewellery. In 1928 the company was operating from the Union Building opposite the Hong Kong general post office. It is unclear if the item is an original Sextant made by Kelvin prior to his amalgamation with Henry Hughes & Sons in 1941 as Kelvin appears to have only made compasses up to this date. If the Sextant can be established that it was made by Kelvin then it is very significant and a rare item made for and distributed through their Hong Kong selling agents G Falconer Ltd. There are many Sextants advertised for sale stating "Kelvin & Hughes 1917 model sextant". These can be regarded as replicas as the company was not formed until 1941 and production of marine instruments was not fully under way until after the war in 1947. Further investigation needs to be undertaken to accurately determine the provenance of this item. As the writer currently has the impression that the subject object was possibly made by Kelvin and Hughes in the mid to late 20th century or is a replica made by an unknown maker in the late 1970s. Purchased as an exhibition of marine navigational instruments for the Flagstaff Hill museum. The Sextant is a brass apparatus with filters and telescope lens, and comes with a wooden felt lined storage box. It is a doubly reflecting navigation instrument that measures the angular distance between two visible objects. The primary use of a sextant is to measure the angle between an astronomical object and the horizon for the purposes of celestial navigation.G Falconer and Co. Hong Kong (retailers of nautical equipmentflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, sextant, kelvin & hughes ltd, hong kong, navigational instrument, g falconer, mariner's quadrants