| Title |
18th century Korean astronomical screen held at the Whipple Science Museum, Cambridge |
| Reference |
SCC2/76 |
| Covering Dates |
1960–1 June 1983 |
| Extent and Medium |
Paper |
|
| Content and context |
The screen was purchased by the Museum from Chang Chung-Ti of Beverly Hills, California in 1966. Joseph Needham and Lu Gwei-Djen then published a paper on the screen. The paper was subsequently revised and included as a chapter of 'Hall of Heavenly Records: Korean Astronomical Instruments and Clocks, 1380-1780', (Cambridge University Press, 1986). |
| Index Terms |
| Astronomy |
| Needham/NRI2/SCC2/76 contains: |
|
1
|
Correspondence relating to the purchase of the screen. The documents include a letter from John C. Huntingdon of Harry A. Franklin Gallery, Beverly Hills, California, U.S.A., describing the screen and offering it for sale at US$7,000; letter from Francis Maddison of the Museum of the History of Science, Oxford, explaining that the Museum cannot afford the price asked for the screen; copy of a letter from Joseph Needham to Silvio Bedini of the Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C., U.S.A., asking for his opinion on the screen and if the Institution had been offered it for sale; reply from Silvio Bedini; letter from Gerd Buchdahl of the Whipple Science Museum, Cambridge, explaining that the Museum will make an offer for the screen; Needham's notes on the purchase price of the screen.
Creator: Huntingdon, John C.; Maddison, Francis; Bedini, Silvio; Buchdahl, Gerd.
8 sheets; Paper. |
11 Jan. 1966–17 June 1966 |
|
2
|
Joseph Needham's notes on the screen. The notes include descriptions and sketches, transcriptions of the text as well and related bibliographical references.
30 sheets; Paper. |
1966 |
|
3
|
Two annotated draft typescripts of the paper by Joseph Needham and Lu Gwei-Djen on the screen, entitled 'A Korean Astronomical Screen of the Mid-Eighteenth Century from the Royal Palace of the Yi Dynasty (Choson Kingdom, 1392 to 1910)'. The documents also include illustrations used in the paper.
52 sheets; Paper. |
June 1966-June 1967 |
|
4
|
Copies of letters from Joseph Needham sent to various people advising them of his paper on the screen written with Lu Gwei-Djen to be published in 'Physis' and sending them a copy. The correspondents are Gerd Buchdahl of the Whipple Science Museum, Cambridge; Silvio Bedini of the Smithsonian Institution, Washington D. C. U.S.A.; Maria Luisa Bonelli of Physis; Gari Ledyard of Columbia University, U.S.A.; Francis Maddison of the Museum of the History of Science, Oxford; John Combridge of London.
7 sheets; Paper. |
22 June 1966 |
|
5
|
Letter from John Combridge of London, commenting on the paper and attached list of suggestions for amendments.
Creator: Combridge, John.
3 sheets; Paper. |
15 July 1966 |
|
6
|
Letter from Maria Luisa Bonelli of 'Physis' about the publication of the paper and copy of Joseph Needham's reply.
Creator: Bonelli, Maria Luisa; Needham, Joseph.
2 sheets; Paper. |
7 July 1966–17 July 1966 |
|
7
|
Notes prepared by Nathan Sivin making suggestions about the paper.
Creator: Sivin, Nathan.
6 sheets; Paper. |
10 Aug. 1966 |
|
8
|
Copy of a letter from Joseph Needham to Maria Luisa Bonelli of 'Physis', forwarding a list of additions and emendations to the paper.
4 sheets; Paper. |
10 Aug. 1966 |
|
9
|
Correspondence relating to the search for the identity of the grandfather of Chang Chung-Ti [Chester Chang]. Chang's grandfather was apparently one of the first Korean students in Cambridge in around 1920. The correspondents are William J. Baker of the University Registry, Cambridge; Gerd Buchdahl of the Whipple Science Museum, Cambridge; Chester Chang of Beverly Hills, California.
Creator: Baker, William J.; Buchdahl, Gerd; Chang, Chester; Needham, Joseph.
14 sheets; Paper. |
17 June 1966–3 Jan. 1967 |
|
10
|
Joseph Needham's list of people to receive a copy of the paper on the screen.
1 document; Paper. |
1967 |
|
11
|
Letter from Michael Hoskin of the Whipple Science Museum, thanking Joseph Needham for offprints of the paper and querying one point.
Creator: Hoskin, Michael.
1 document; Paper. |
10 Mar. 1967 |
|
12
|
Letters from Chester and Mary Chang of Beverly Hills, California, U.S.A., thanking Joseph Needham for offprints of the paper.
Creator: Chang, Chester; Chang, Mary.
2 sheets; Paper. |
6 Apr. 1967–30 Apr. 1967 |
|
13
|
Correspondence with Anthony R. Hall and Nicholas Hudson of the Cambridge University Astronomical Society, about a talk by Joseph Needham to the Society entitled 'The Seoul Astronomical Screen and its Relation to Chinese Astronomy'. The documents also include the Society's programme for 1970/1971.
Creator: Hall, Anthony R.; Hudson Nicholas; Needham, Joseph.
7 sheets; Paper. |
25 Mar. 1970–31 Jan. 1971 |
|
14
|
Copies of two letters from John Combridge of London to Philip R. Robinson of London, about a revision of Joseph Needham's paper in the light of new material. The revision concerns the 'eight-sheet Double Stellar Hemisphere by Schall von Bell, Pekin, 1634'. The documents also include a photocopy of relevant pages from an article by Robinson published in 'The Book Collector' entitled 'Collector's Piece VI: Phillipps 1986, The Chinese Puzzle', (Summer 1976).
Creator: Combridge, John.
7 sheets; Paper. |
4 Feb. 1983–1 June 1983 |
|
15
|
Joseph Needham's original file title.
1 document; Paper. |
1960–1969 |
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