22. Barometers:

22.66  LARGE POCKET BAROMETER.  Magnificent late 19th century gentleman’s pocket barometer made by the highly esteemed London maker James Hicks as beautifully engraved on the silvered dial “J. J. HICKS LONDON.”  This wondrous example of precision instrument making in 19th century England consists of an aneroid barometer movement encased in a gilt brass housing with finely-engraved silvered brass dial.  The dial reads from 20 to 31 inches of atmospheric pressure calibrated in 5/100th increments, marked in whole inches.  Surrounding the dial is the altitude function which consists of a rotating ring marked in feet of elevation from 0 (sea level) to 10,000 feet calibrated in 50 foot increments.  A very fine steel indicator needle about the width of a hair points to the reading.  The dial is also marked “Compensated” which means the movement is adjusted for temperature changes.  It comes complete with its original wooden case covered in rich Moroccan leather with white satin and  purple velvet lining in excellent condition.    The instrument is in perfect operational condition showing the slightest changes in atmospheric pressure relative to the atmosphere or altitude.  595

James Joseph Hicks (w. 1861-1900) was an optical, mathematical, and philosophical instrument maker located in London’s Hatton Garden.  He was apprenticed to the renowned barometer maker L. P. Cassella. Hicks was known to have produced all types of barometers and enjoyed the patronage of the Vatican.  (Edwin Banfield, “Barometer Makers and Retailers 1660-1900,” 1991, Baros Books, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, England).

22.65  STANDARD BAROMETER.  Classic pre-War aneroid barometer of German manufacture.  This handsome weather instrument has a decorative porcelain dial reading from 25.5 to 31.5 in inches of atmospheric pressure.  The open face dial showcases the complex movement within.  It has a polished brass bezel mounted in a rich hardwood body.  This type of instrument was widely popular domestically during the early 1900’s.  This surviving example is in outstanding original condition in all respects.  It measures 5 ¼ by 2 inches deep.  The movement is lively and accurate.   90+ years old!  79

22.64  FORECASTING BAROMETER.  Unusual very comprehensive early 1900’s American barometer with a colorful porcelain dial profusely inscribed with weather indications based on its reading coupled with user-observed winds.  The outer periphery is calibrated in inches of mercury atmospheric pressure from 29 to 31 marked by tenths.  This handsome open face barometer shows the complicated mechanism within.  Above the center is the inscription “RISING INDICATIONS IN BLACK  HAND MOVES TO THE RIGHT.  FALLING INDICATIONS IN RED HAND MOVES TO THE LEFT.”  On the periphery of the dial are numerous weather forecasts predicting precipitation, wind and temperature.  The bottom of the dial is signed “COPYRIGHT FRANK F. WALTROUS NEW YORK.”  This precision weather instrument has a blued steel indicator needle with a brass set needle attached to the knurled knob rove through the thick beveled glass crystal.  The sculpted bronze body has a pivoting suspension loop at the top and 2 brass “feet” for upright display on a desk, bookshelf or cabinet.  A small aperture on the back is provided for adjusting the reading.  4 ¾ inches in diameter and 2 inches thick.  Outstanding original condition in all respects.  The mechanism is lively and accurate.  349

16.41/22.62  ADVERTISING BAROMETER.  Very unusual:  An obviously nautical-themed ship’s barometer with a beer brewing company advertisement!  This classic aneroid barometer of English manufacture has a lovely hard-fired porcelain dial with the presentation reading “Compliments of J.J. RYAN BREWERS SUPPLIES Montreal Jan 1st 1908.”  It bears the maker’s mark of the Short & Mason company (a conjoined “S & M” with an arrow running through it) and the word “ <-LON DON-C.”  The colorful dial shows the barometric pressure from 25.5 to 31.5 inches of mercury in 2/100th increments marked by tenths.  It bears the standard weather indications “Stormy RAIN Change FAIR and Very Dry.”  A delicate blued steel arrow needle indicates the precise reading.  Around the center arbor is a starburst design which mimics the compass rose.  The bottom of the dial reads “Made in England.”  The ornate dial is protected under glass fitted into the brass bezel with its silvered reflector ring.  The back of the wooden case has a substantial brass hanging bracket and an aperture by which to adjust the barometer reading.  The lovely dial measures 4 ¾ inches across.  The entire presentation is 7 5/8 inches in diameter.  Excellent, fully functional working condition and in especially fine cosmetic condition.  A lovely 115 year old barometer with a broad appeal to more than just one collector market! 295

22.61  IDENTIFIED SHIP’s BAROMETER/THERMOMETER.  Truly exceptional 19th century ship’s barometer/thermometer of large size.  Indicative of its Victorian origins, this impressive instrument has a very ornate silvered brass dial with a deeply engraved barometric scale reading from 27.8 to 31.2 inches of atmospheric pressure, calibrated in 2/100th increments marked by 10ths.  Whole inches are identified, as are the standard weather indications “Stormy RAIN Change FAIR and Very Dry” in fancy script.  The lower half of the dial bears a very large curved mercury thermometer reading in single degrees Fahrenheit from 5 to 115 marked by 10s.   The center of the dial is beautifully hand-engraved in a starburst, snow flake pattern of amazing complexity and detail.  Seeing is believing under magnification.  The top of the dial bears the registered serial number “50992.”  The barometric reading is indicated by an incredibly fine blued steel indicator needle which is overlaid by a similar very delicate brass set needle attached to a knurled knob.  The knob is rove through the thick beveled glass crystal set in the heavy brass bezel with silvered reflector ring.  The stout, solid brass case is of classic British form with a broad mounting flange 8 inches in diameter.  The center back of the case is stamped with the maker’s mark “T.A.R.S. & W. LONDON” and matching serial number “50992” stamped above.  Etched into the back is the identifier “CHART RM PATEENA.”  The barometer dial is 6 inches in diameter and the case is 3 ¾ inches deep.  Outstanding original condition.  Both the barometer and thermometer functions are very precise and accurate.  This is the finest of perhaps 3 identified ship barometers which we have handled in our 40+ years.  Absolutely a museum piece of the first order!  1095

The S.S. PATEENA was a passenger/cargo vessel of 1212 gross tons built on the Clyde in Glasgow, Scotland for the Tasmanian Steam Navigation Company in 1883.   She was noted for her trim lines and graceful appearance.  In 1891 she was purchased by the Union Steamship Company for use in the inter-island ferry service out of New South Wales, Australia.  After nearly 30 years of open ocean sailing, she was laid up in 1920, then broken up in 1924.

9.35/22.60  NAUTICAL THEME WALL COMPENDIUM.   Genuine 19th century English wall clock and barometer set.  This handsome display features a clock with early-type cylinder escapement running blued steel Breguet-type hands over a white enamel dial with Roman numerals.  The 8-day mechanism is wound and set on the reverse protected by a hammered brass cover.  The barometer function consists of an open face aneroid barometer with white dial marked in atmospheric pressure with an amazing range of 25.5 to 31.5 inches, calibrated in hundredths.  It is marked “ANEROID BAROMETER” at the bottom and bears the standard weather indications of “STORMY, RAIN, CHANGE, FAIR and VERY DRY.”   It has a fine blued steel indicator needle and a brass set need attached to a knurled knob.  Both instruments have brass bezels with beveled glass crystals.  Of great significance and value is the fact that this set is beautifully-carved of oak in the form of an old fashioned kedge anchor with rope-carved inserts.  The stock of the anchor bears a triangular shield in relief and the bottom a decoratively-carved “nut.”  Adding even greater value is the branded English maker’s mark on the back.  This Victorian symbol indicates the precise day, month and year of manufacture:   June 18, 1873!  The display measures 21 ¼ inches tall by 10 inches wide on the flukes of the anchor and protrudes 2 ¼ inches from the wall.  It retains its stout brass hanging bracket on the top.  Both functions, the clock and barometer, are working.  Outstanding condition overall.  Complete with period winding and set key.  WAS $1995  NOW! 1195 

22.58  ESPECIALLY NICE BAROMETER.  Early 1900’s German aneroid barometer made for the American market signed “The Standard Weather Bureau Service Co., Inc.” as marked on the dial.  The bottom reads “Made In Germany” (pre-War).  This particularly handsome barometer has an open face showcasing the complicated movement within.  The dial is of porcelain colorfully marked with the standard weather notations in fancy script “Stormy, RAIN, Change, FAIR and Very Dry.”  The atmospheric pressure is calibrated in inches of mercury from 27.5 to 31.5 in 2/100th increments marked by tenths.   A delicate blued steel indicator needle points to the current reading overlaid by a brass set needle with knurled knob which records the previous reading.  The dial is protected by its very thick beveled glass crystal set within a brass reflector ring.  The case of the barometer is solid bronze.  A significant aspect of this barometer’s extra appeal is the fact that it can be displayed in 2 ways.  There is a pivoting suspension loop at the top for hanging.  OR, it can be displayed on a desk or shelf supported on its 2 attached feet.  The dial is 5 inches in diameter.  The barometer body is 5 3/8 inches wide by 2 inches deep and stands 6 inches tall inclusive of the loop.  Excellent original condition throughout.  The barometer function is lively and accurate. This is a winner!  549

22.55  SAILING SHIP BAROMETER.  Noticeably scarce, genuine 19th century ship’s barometer housed in its protective wooden cabinet.  This unusual presentation consists of an aneroid (without liquid) weather barometer in its brass case with white enameled dial under glass.  Its wide scale is calibrated in inches of mercury from 24 to 31 divided in 2/100th increments.  It bears the standard weather indications reading “STORMY, Much Rain, Rain, CHANGE, Fair, Set Fair and VERY DRY.”  The reading is pointed by a fine blued steel indicator needle overlaid by a brass set needle with knurled knob, rove through the beveled glass to track changes.  The bottom of the dial is marked “HOLOSTERIC BAROMETER” and bears the circular trademark “PNHB,” that of the most famous and prolific French barometer maker Paul Naudet, Paris.  The back of the brass case is similarly marked.  The case has a suspension loop at the top which engages a small hook on the inside of the cabinet.  The unique wooden cabinet is beautifully hand-made of solid teak  with decorative parquetry sections.  This is NOT a production item, but was most certainly made on board the ship by its skilled carpenter!  It has a old wooden door inset with wavy glass, hinged on the right, opening on the left, secured with a brass hook and eye.  The top of the case has a thickt brass hanging bracket.  The barometer itself measures 5 inches in diameter.  The cabinet is 7 ¾ inches wide by 8 ½ inches tall and 5 inches deep.  Outstanding original condition in all respects.  The barometer is functional and accurate.  Without a doubt this is the most unusual ship’s barometric item we have encountered in our 40 + years.  895

Why a sailing ship barometer?  Steamships of the late 1800’s into the early 1900's had enclosed pilot houses and chart rooms protected from the harsh environment of the open sea.  On the otherhand, wooden sailing ships were far more exposed to the damp, wind and extremes of temperature – all of which adversely affected the accuracy of a barometer.  This marvelous custom-made cabinet was truly a bit of genius.  It is rare, both in its uniqueness and its survival!  Any knowledgeable maritime collector adds a feather in his/her cap with this acquisition.  A true museum piece at a very, very resonable price in these infrlationary times! Go buy gas!

22.57  BOSTON BAROMETER.  Outstanding late 1800’s ship’s aneroid barometer made y the prestigious Paris firm of Paul Naudet for the early ship chandlers Advance Nautical Equipment Co. as marked on the dial.  In full, the inscription reads “ADVANCE NAUTICAL INSTRUMENT CO. 154 STATE STREET BOSTON MADE IN FRANCE, HOLOSTERIC BAROMETER, Naudet (PNHB) & Cie.”  The perfect white enameled dial indicates the atmospheric pressure in inches of mercury from 24 to 31 inches in 2/100th increments.  It is marked “STORMY, RAIN, CHANGE, FAIR and VERY DRY.”  The reading is pointed by a  blued steel indicator needle, atop which is the brass set needle with knurled knob rove through the beveled glass crystal.  The barometer case is rich bronze in its original finish.  The back is additionally marked (PNHB) along with a small aperture for setting the barometer movement.  A pivoting suspension loop is provided at the top for hanging.  This instrument is in an outstanding state of original preservation, belying its 140+ year age.  The barometer function is guaranteed to be  lively and accurate.  A scarce example of an early Boston ship chandler item.  495

The Advance Nautical Instrument Company’s address was just a few doors down from the very famous 19th century Boston instrument making firm of Samuel Thaxter and Son who were located at 125 State Street since 1826.

The innovative and prolific Paris aneroid barometer maker, Pierre (alternatively "Paul”) Naudet began his firm in 1861 and continued producing aneroid barometers into the 1930's.  The date and meaning of the markings HBPN (alternatively PNHB) is not thoroughly understood.  Andy Demeter, in his book “Chelsea Clock Company The First One Hundred Years “ notes, "With the possible exception of recording barometers, Chelsea did not assemble holosteric or aneroid movements for their barometers preferring to purchase them from the legendary French maker, Pierre (alternatively Paul) Naudet.  His firm's trademark is typically found in a circle on these early barometer dials with the letters "HBPN" as an abbreviation for "Holosteric Barometer, Pierre Naudet."   A barometer dial on page 220 is pictured with the caption, "1909 Pierre Naudet barometer."

22.56  BOSTON BAROMETER with THERMOMETER.  Exquisite ship’s barometer and thermometer made by the Parisian barometer maker Paul Naudet for the highly regarded Boston opticians “PINKHAM & SMITH COMPANY IMPORTERS BOSTON” as boldly marked on the center of the dial.  This particularly pristine example of a late Victorian barometer has a lovely silvered brass dial reading in inches of mercury atmospheric pressure from 27.8 to 31.2 in 2/100ths increments.  The standard weather indications “STORMY, RAIN CHANGE FAIR, VERY DRY” are indicated.  Above the center arbor it reads “HOLOSTERIC (PNHB) Made In France BAROMETER.”  Of special added value is the large, curved mercury thermometer at the bottom of the dial marked “FAHRENHEIT THERMOMETER.”  It is calibrated in 2 degree increments from 22 to 120.  The instrument measures 5 inches in diameter and 2 inches thick.  It stands 5 7/8 inches tall inclusive of the hanging loop.  Outstanding original condition is all respects.  The barometer and thermometer functions are amazingly responsive and accurate.  595

22.54  HYGROMETER/THERMOMETER.   Highest quality West German hygrometer with an applied alcohol-in-glass thermometer.  The hygrometer registers percent of atmospheric humidity from 0 to 100, indicated by a precise arrowhead needle.  The curved thermometer mounted on milkglass indicates the ambient temperature in degrees Fahrenheit from -26 to 122 in 2 degree increments marked by 20's.  The all brass case is in a lustrous finish.  Three mounting holes are on the flanged back which measures 6 inches in diameter.  The silver dial is 4 ½ inches across.  Excellent functional condition.  WAS $295  NOW! 99

22.19  MOUNTAIN BAROMETER.   Scarce early 1900’s American-made aneroid barometer for use at altitude.   This lovely precision weather instrument has a white enameled brass dial protected by a glass face.  The bottom of the dial is signed “Taylor Rochester, N.Y. U.S.A. / Toronto, Canada.”  At the top it is marked “PAT. AUG. 18-1914.”  The dial is calibrated in inches of mercury reading from 26 to 31 in tenths of inches, divided by 2/100ths.  It is also marked with the standard weather indications “~STORMY – RAIN –CHANGE * FAIR – VERY DRY~.”  A blackened steel indicator needle points to the precise reading, overlaid by a brass set needle connected to a knurled brass knob through the glass.  The barometer is contained within its lovely solid bronze case with pivoting suspension loop at the top.  The unique feature of this barometer is on the back.  Rotating the knurled brass plate moves the entire  movement within, thus setting the reading for a given altitude.   The rim of the plate is calibrated in “FEET” of altitude from “3500 to 7000” in 100 foot increments.  Instructions read “ROTATE THIS PLATE UNTIL ARROW ON CASE POINTS TO THE ALTITUDE OF YOUR LOCALITY.  PATENTED AUGUST 18-1914.”  5 ¼ inches in diameter and 2 ½ inches deep.  6 ¼ inches tall overall including the suspension loop.  This fine instrument is fully functional and in a virtually pristine state of original preservation.  349

22.24  “MOUNTAIN” BAROMETER.  Quite scarce early 1900’s American “Mountain Barometer” with the unique feature of being adjustable for altitude (elevation).  This precision instrument was made by the Tycos Company of Rochester, N.Y. as signed on the bottom of the white enameled dial.  The dial is calibrated for atmospheric pressure  in inches of mercury spanning the wide range from 25 to 31 inches in 2/100th increments marked by 10’s.  It bears the standard weather indications “@STORMY @ RAIN, CHANGE * FAIR @ VERY DRY @” with the added notations “LOW & HIGH.”  At the top it is marked “PAT. AUG.-18-1914.”  The reading is indicated by a fine blued steel needle overlaid by a brass “set needle” with knurled brass knob rove through the beveled glass cover.  The body of this instrument is solid bronze in its original flawless golden lacquer finish.   The back of this instrument bears the rare patented feature which allows it to be adjustable.  It consists of  a knurled disc calibrated in feet of elevation from 0 to 3,500.  The engraved instructions read, “FOR A SEA LEVEL READING ROTATE THIS PLATE UNTIL THE ARROW ON THE CASE POINTS TO THE ALTITUDE OF YOUR LOCALITY.”  The back also has an aperture for a set screw to further adjust the movement.  The top is equipped with a pivoting brass loop for hanging.  5 ¼ inches in diameter and 6 inches high overall.  Absolutely perfect condition is all respects.  The precise mechanism is lively and accurate.  The best!  395

22.06  ANTIQUE BAROGRAPH.  Extraordinary, scientific grade turn-of-the-last-century weather instrument made by the well known English makers “Short & Mason, London.”  This lovely, fully functional instrument embodies the long-standing British penchant for form and function.  As such, the precision mechanism with gilded brass works and hardwood housing is a thing of beauty.  It employs 12 evacuated silvered bellows connected with a complex linkage system to a stylus holding an inking pen.  The linkage is all brass with steel pivots as mounted to the gilded brass bedplate.  It is decoratively-engraved with its makers, “Short & Mason London.”  The quill-type pen records a trace on the revolving drum.  A lever mounted on the front of the bedplate allows the pen to be lifted from the drum when not in use.  The brass drum is turned by a jeweled clockwork mechanism which runs for 8 days on a single wind, making one revolution per week.  To these ends there is a Fast/Slow adjustment feature under the removable brass cover and a separate winding key.  The interchangeable chart paper graph encompassing the drum is marked from 28 to 31 inches of barometric pressure in 1/10th increments on the “y” axis and is marked Monday through Sunday in 2 hour increments on the “x” axis.  The glazed wooden case is made of rich mahogany with all brass fittings and is supported on 4 wooden feet.  The sturdy scalloped base is complete with pull-out drawer containing 2 compartments.  The forward compartment is filled with original, unused gummed graph charts.  In addition there is an original pamphlet reading “S and M STORMGRAPH RECORDING BAROMETER, Directions For Use.”  The second compartment is for storing recorded charts.  The upper removable case contains its original old glass on all 5 sides.   This instrument measures 14 3/8 inches long by 8 ½ inches wide and 8 1/2 inches high.  Complete with the original ink vile with ground glass stopper and contents!  The entire presentation is in an outstanding state of original preservation, fully functional (the clock keeps good time) and is complete with at least 20 spare recording charts in pristine original condition.  Price Request 

22.09  WEATHER GLASS.   Authentic hand-blown glass weather instrument known as a weather glass, storm glass or thunder glass, as found in the homes of sea captains from the 17th through the19th centuries.  This exacting copy consists of a one piece glass vial with a hanging eye at the top, a curved swan’s neck spout, and terminates in a bulbous glass bottom.   It is complete with a hand-wrought hanging bracket of copper and brass.  In use the glass is partially filled with water so that the level can be seen within the spout.  Weather changes accompanied by varying atmospheric pressure are evident in the rise and fall of the water level in the spout.  The hanging bracket measures 12 inches tall overall and the glass is 9 inches tall and 3 ½ inches wide.  Perfect condition.  49

Bert Bolle in “Barometers,” 1982, Argus Books, Watford, Herts, England discusses the Thunder glass or “donderglas” stating, “The title of “weather glass” is more apt than “barometer” in the context of the instrument shown.  A barometer is a measuring instrument, as such, has a scale; a thunder glass does not have a scale.  Therefore the term “weather glass” is more suitable for this, nonetheless, decorative antique."

"In the illustration, one can see that the glass is hung from a small hole at the top and is filled with liquid.  This can be water with a dye if desired.  The instrument, about 10 inches high, functions on the principle that variation in air pressure will cause fluctuation in the water level in the spout.  Without a doubt, this instrument is only partly reliable as it is greatly influenced by variations in ambient temperature.  However, if the thunder glass is hung in a place where variations in temperature are minimized, it is an excellent indicator of variations in air pressure."

"Thunder glasses were characteristically Dutch and production got under way sometime in the early 17th century."
This example comes complete with the original instructions printed when we commissioned an old-school glass blower to make a few of these instruments in 1983.  Since then they have been in storage for more than 30 years!

22.13  BAROMETER / ALTIMETER.  Large, extra nice late 19th century English gentleman’s traveling barometer with the dual function of being an altimeter. This unusually large portable instrument is in the form of a pocket watch with bow and retains its bright brass finish.  The silvered brass dial is hand-engraved.  It is calibrated from 25.5 to 31 inches of barometric pressure, divided down to 2/100ths of an inch.  It is marked “Compensated” and “Made in England”   The outer rim of the dial is marked in “FEET” from 0 to 5,000 divided down to amazing 20 foot increments!  To set and record a reading the rim revolves.  This is provided with pinpoint accuracy by the extremely fine steel indicator needle which is little more than a hair’s width in diameter!  This instrument is complete within its silk and satin-lined, hinged wooden case with Moroccan leather cover.  A small spring-loaded lever with brass button latch secures the case when closed.  3 ¼ inches in diameter and 1 ¼  inches thick.  The dial itself measures 2 ½  inches across.  Fully functional and accurate.  595