Model: 13"H x 19 ½"L x 7"W. Case: 13 ¾"H x 17 ¾"L x 8"W.

Canadian. c. 1900. Brass. This type of orrery was invented by Alexander Laing in Exeter Ontario in the 1890s, and was patented by him in Canada on August 27, 1896 and in the U.S. on March 2, 1897. A brass ball represents the sun. The arm is rotated by hand around the sun and through a series of belts and pulleys the Earth rotates along with simultaneous revolutions of the moon and Venus. A planetarium is intended to be a teaching aid, demonstrating the movement of the planets, the principles of day and night, seasonal change, etc. The lacquered brass sun is 4 ½ inches in diameter, showing some discoloured streaks. The Earth is 3 inches in diameter and is in good condition, made by the globe makers Rand McNally and with their trade label. On later versions Laing placed his own label over the Rand McNally label. A design on the base is divided into four quadrants titled with the four seasons, the months of the year, and the twelve signs of the Zodiac. The hardwood base, arm and larger pulleys are in good condition. The smaller pulleys are made of metal. When the arm is rotated, the Earth assembly and Venus rotate. The painted case is in solid condition. Laing planetaria are rare. He moved the manufacturing business from Exeter Ontario to Detroit. In 1905 one of his employees, Fred Trippensee along with his brothers, purchased the company and began to manufacture an improved version known as the Trippensee Planetarium. An example such as this in such a remarkable state of preservation is even more rare. The planetarium is complete and intact. Some of the belt strings might need more tension in order to have everything move as intended. Model: 13"H x 19 ½"L x 7"W. Case: 13 ¾"H x 17 ¾"L x 8"W.