Whilst on holiday a few days ago in Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands one shop had a display of copies of a range of sundials and other antique scientific instruments.
Unfortunately they were being sold without any instructions so would only have been decorative items as far as the holidaymakers in the area were concerned. They appeared to be well made, and as far as I could tell were accurate from seeing them in a glass case! One four sided sundial was the most detailed item in the collection on display and was being retailed at about £30. The shopkeeper was unable to help with their origin or accuracy so I decided not to waste my Pesetas and to find out more if I could. I know that many contributors to this list are more than happy to make their own dials, but as an astronomy teacher I am often asked for examples of manufactured sundials to give ideas for students who have to make and test a sundial as part of their examination. These products would make a good stimulus for the artistry and accuracy in making sundials. Has anyone any knowledge of this company and the accuracy and authenticity of their products. The only information on the card attached to each product was Villa-Alcor OR Villacor, SL Baller de Instrumentos Antiguos de Medicion There was no phone or fax number and a subsequent search with Lycos and Alta Vista has not turned up an Email address or URL. Any information about these products will be gratefully received. Thanks. Incidentally - Fuerteventura is the place I have seen the greatest number of sundials in anywhere I have visited. They come in numerous sizes. All made of ceramic tiles glued to the outsides of the houses. Some are only four tiles (2x2), but the largest was six tiles across by eight deep. I found some for sale. The shopkeeper knew enough English to tell me that they sold very well to both the local Canary Islanders and visitors. Unfortunately he didn't know what a gnomon was. No one apparently had asked for one before and it was absolutely true. Of the dozens of sundials I had seen on the outsides of houses, not one had a gnomon!! How symbolic our study has become! Richard.
