The Nuremberg / Augsburg area developed a reputation for high quality scientific instruments in the 17th and 18th century, producing navigation, surveying, and timekeeping instruments for the elite.
A rare Augsburg penner is depicted. Similar to the French Baradelle penners, this instrument is a portable writing compendium containing multiple tools including pen knife, pen holder, inkwell, sander, steel parchment-pricker / bodkin, and additional storage for seal capabilities. The penner tests positive for low gold content. Assembled Length: 13.5 cm.
Joseph Furttenbach’s Mechanischer Reissladen(Augsburg, 1644) deepens our understanding of the breadth of exploration and ingenuity.