Aneroid, Barographs, Barometers, Conservation, Featured, History of Aneroid Barometers, Restoration, Vavasseur Antiques - Antique & Vintage Aneroid Barometers, Barographs & Other Scientific Instruments, Weather | March 2, 2025
Significant Shipwrecked Mariners Society Award – Updated March 2025
Generally when these instruments are given as presentations it’s to a retired partner from a law firm or the winner of some golfing extravaganza - these additions add nothing to the value or interest in the piece, indeed in most instances the plates are removed, the holes filled and a part of ignominious history gently forgotten. The Shipwrecked Fishermen and...
Aneroid, Barometers, Conservation, History of Aneroid Barometers, Vavasseur Antiques - Antique & Vintage Aneroid Barometers, Barographs & Other Scientific Instruments | November 17, 2024
Extraordinary Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society Marine Barometer
An update to our recent blog about the unusual cases in which marine barometers from The Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners’ Royal Benevolent Society, better known as the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, are found. As previously posted, The Shipwrecked Fishermen & Mariners’ Royal Benevolent Society gave many awards and prizes for heroic endeavours over the years, generally as medals but also in...
Aneroid, Barometers, Conservation, History of Aneroid Barometers, Vavasseur Antiques - Antique & Vintage Aneroid Barometers, Barographs & Other Scientific Instruments | September 26, 2024
Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society Marine Barometers in Unusual Cases
The Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners’ Royal Benevolent Society, better known as the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, was established by John Rye in February 1839 as a result of the tragic loss of a fleet of fishing boats on the north Devon coast in October 1838. The Society’s objectives were to give “relief and assistance to the widows and orphans of fishermen;...
Aneroid, Barometers, Conservation, History of Aneroid Barometers, Vavasseur Antiques - Antique & Vintage Aneroid Barometers, Barographs & Other Scientific Instruments | August 8, 2024
On This Day – 8th August 1908 – Wilbur Wright
On this day in 1908, Wilbur Wright publicly demonstrated a Wright aircraft for the first time in Europe at the Hunaudières racecourse at Le Mans, southwest of Paris. The airplane was an improved version of the brothers’ experimental designs flown in 1903-1905. Wilbur’s flights at Le Mans confirmed without doubt the Wrights’ claims to have developed a successful airplane and...
Aneroid, Barometers, Conservation, History of Aneroid Barometers, Vavasseur Antiques - Antique & Vintage Aneroid Barometers, Barographs & Other Scientific Instruments | May 29, 2024
Very Unusual French Hybrid Aneroid Barometer c1858
An unusual French hybrid brass open dial aneroid barometer no. 2, maker unknown c1858. Early aneroid barometer having 4¾” zinc backed printed open centre card dial with weather prognostications to outer part, the barometric scale calibrated in cms Hg, marked “Baromètre” at 6 o’clock. The open centre with a hair spring tensioned rack and pinion drive assembled onto a lacquered brass...
Aneroid, Barometers, Barometers in Action, History of Aneroid Barometers, Marine, Weather | March 4, 2024
The RNLI at 200
A national lifeboat service was the vision of Sir William Hillary, a resident of the Isle of Man, who wanted to the reduce the death toll from the 1,800 shipwrecks annually around the British Isles at the time. He convinced a group of influential people in the City of London to take notice and the Royal National Institution for the...
Aneroid, Aviation, Barographs, Barometers, Barometers in Action, Conservation, Featured, History of Aneroid Barometers, Interior, Media Mentions, Pressure, Restoration, Vavasseur Antiques - Antique & Vintage Aneroid Barometers, Barographs & Other Scientific Instruments, Weather | September 28, 2023
Mark and Vavasseur Antiques Featured in Country Life!
Credit: Country Life, 27 September 2023 Issue www.countrylife.co.uk
Aneroid, Barometers, Barometers in Action, History of Aneroid Barometers, How do I repair an aneroid barometer, Is my barometer working, Pressure, Surveying, Technology, Testing Barometers, Vavasseur Antiques - Antique & Vintage Aneroid Barometers, Barographs & Other Scientific Instruments, Weather | August 28, 2023
Hysteresis and the Watkin Hicks Mountain Barometer
This scarce development of the aneroid barometer or altimeter, patented by Colonel H.S.S. Watkin in 1898, was born of poorly performing pressure sensing capsules. It had been known for some time that a first reading before an ascent of some high place would not agree once the observer returned to the same elevation even if the barometric pressure had not...
Aneroid, Barographs, Barometers, Conservation, History of Aneroid Barometers, How do I repair an aneroid barometer, Pressure, Restoration, Vavasseur Antiques - Antique & Vintage Aneroid Barometers, Barographs & Other Scientific Instruments, Weather | August 8, 2023
August Work in Progress
Another fine instrument of particular interest, this large barograph is something quite special, and although unsigned, is undoubtedly the work of Negretti & Zambra. Let’s examine the evidence for this. First, the instrument is listed in the Negretti & Zambra catalogue of 1910 in the section Self-Recording Aneroid Barometers: item 82, a “Self-Recording Barometer, with a tall cylinder taking a...
Aneroid, Barometers, Barometers in Action, History of Aneroid Barometers, Pressure, Restoration, Testing Barometers, Vavasseur Antiques - Antique & Vintage Aneroid Barometers, Barographs & Other Scientific Instruments | August 6, 2023
The Quest for Greater Resolution in Aneroid Barometers II
As a follow up to Patent No. 2457 lodged by Daniels, this piece is certainly of significance. The Daniels instruments sought to display greater resolution with the introduction of a geared sub-assembly greatly magnifying the small rotational movement of the primary arbor, that connected by a fine chain to the secondary lever - the result being that the main dial...
Aneroid, Aviation, Barometers in Action, Conservation, Featured, History of Aneroid Barometers, Pressure, Restoration, Technology | July 24, 2023
Two Extraordinary Altimeters, and the Trail to the British Nuclear Bomb
Sometimes the most obscure and almost unrecognisable objects appear, and with all the interest in Christopher Nolan’s epic docu-thriller Oppenheimer, I decided to put pen to paper. Some years ago I was perusing an online auction and came across an instrument I recognised as a barometer or altimeter made by Negretti & Zambra. Puzzling, though, was the scale, calibrated in...
Aneroid, Barometers, Barometers in Action, Conservation, History of Aneroid Barometers, Pressure, Restoration, Surveying, Technology, Vavasseur Antiques - Antique & Vintage Aneroid Barometers, Barographs & Other Scientific Instruments | May 11, 2023
The Quest for Greater Resolution in Aneroid Barometers I
As marvellous an invention as the aneroid barometer was, it had many shortcomings, most of which were approached by various instrument makers over the 100 years or so of production. Resolution, perhaps expressed as the reading to the highest number of decimal places, was an illusive goal. The problem relates to the expansion and contraction of the cell over a...
Aneroid, Barographs, Barometers, Barometers in Action, Bourdon, Compasses, Conservation, How do I repair an aneroid barometer, Is my barometer working, Pressure, Restoration, Technology, Testing Barometers, Vavasseur Antiques - Antique & Vintage Aneroid Barometers, Barographs & Other Scientific Instruments | April 28, 2023
Conservation & Restoration Services
Barometer repairs or restoration services? We undertake barometer and barograph repairs, restoration and servicing at reasonable rates. We handle aneroid and mercury barometers, barographs, and other scientific instruments. “I had two early instruments which were ‘showing their age’ and needed rejuvenating without losing any of their original looks. The team at Vavasseur would appear to live and breathe pocket instruments and I would recommend...
Aneroid, Barometers, Barometers in Action, Conservation, History of Aneroid Barometers, How do I repair an aneroid barometer, Is my barometer working, Pressure, Restoration, Testing Barometers, Vavasseur Antiques - Antique & Vintage Aneroid Barometers, Barographs & Other Scientific Instruments, Weather | April 22, 2023
Antique Pocket Hypsometers II – Hicks Hypsometer
A very rare leather cased, lacquered and oxidised brass hypsometer No 590 by J. Hicks, London, c1900 Comprising four draw telescopic top section, the third draw marked "J. Hicks, Maker, 8, 9, & 10 Hatton Garden, London, No 590," first draw with heat shroud. Spirit burner with integral pushfit end cap, threaded wick cover, wind and flame shroud with lower...
Aneroid, Barographs, Barometers, Conservation, How do I repair an aneroid barometer, Is my barometer working, Pressure, Restoration, Technology, Testing Barometers, Vavasseur Antiques - Antique & Vintage Aneroid Barometers, Barographs & Other Scientific Instruments | April 21, 2023
New Test Control Unit in Laboratory
An addition and a development of the Calibration & Flow Control Unit Mk1 The lack of availability of this equipment commercially left me with no alternative other than to design and build in-house. In any event I had my own ideas and requirements. This control unit manages a number of parameters in a readily visual way leaving aside the need...
Aneroid, Barometers, Barometers in Action, Pressure, Technology, Testing Barometers, Vavasseur Antiques - Antique & Vintage Aneroid Barometers, Barographs & Other Scientific Instruments, Weather | April 12, 2023
Antique Pocket Hypsometers I – French Hypsometer
The term 'Hypsometer' is essentially applied to a device or system, perhaps mathematically based, that enables the determination of heights or elevations. It has been applied to aneroids and various trigonometrically based instruments. In this instance we are dealing with the instrument more generally recognised as a hypsometer, in essence a device not unlike a telescope however lacking lenses, the...
Aneroid, Barographs, Barometers, Bourdon, Conservation, History of Aneroid Barometers, Pressure, Restoration, Vavasseur Antiques - Antique & Vintage Aneroid Barometers, Barographs & Other Scientific Instruments, Weather | March 31, 2023
March Work in Progress
Another fascinating instrument from the storeroom, and at last I can give it the attention it needs. This Negretti & Zambra barothermograph was absolutely filthy, caked in dust and grime, and working to a point but not much more. Nonetheless, I could see that this would come good with careful conservation techniques. I always start a project like this by...
Aneroid, Barographs, Barometers, Barometers in Action, Compasses, Conservation, History of Aneroid Barometers, How do I repair an aneroid barometer, Is my barometer working, Pressure, Restoration, Testing Barometers, Vavasseur Antiques - Antique & Vintage Aneroid Barometers, Barographs & Other Scientific Instruments, Weather | February 16, 2023
February Work in Progress
Many might wonder what might be next on Vavasseur Antiques. “Work in progress” is a constant state, since almost all the items we offer are comprehensively re-built, serviced, and/or benefit from conservation. Consequently through-put is sometimes slow. This does mean though that the things we offer are ‘proper,’ as described, and as original as possible, not the product of the...
Barometers in Action, Technology, Testing Barometers, Vavasseur Antiques - Antique & Vintage Aneroid Barometers, Barographs & Other Scientific Instruments | March 20, 2021
Vavasseur Antiques’ New Laboratory In Action
I remember a client came to me, a number of years ago, and with great excitement explained that he had bought a barometer and that "it works!" His great surprise and feelings of good fortune were very evident. Quite apart from being very happy for him, it was clear to me in that moment just how low the expectations of...
Barographs, Barometers, Compasses, Vavasseur Antiques - Antique & Vintage Aneroid Barometers, Barographs & Other Scientific Instruments | October 13, 2020
Selling Your Barometer, Barograph or Other Scientific Instrument
Thinking of selling a barometer or barograph? • We are the strongest and most active buyers of good quality antique and vintage aneroid barometers, barographs and related scientific instruments worldwide. We would be very pleased to talk to you if you are considering selling such items. • It is important that you achieve a fair price for the items you...
Featured, Media Mentions, Technology | February 18, 2020
The Wonderful Conclusion to the Story of John Campbell’s Exceptional Model Steam Engine
We’re delighted that the amazing Campbell model steam engine has been featured in the Antiques Trade Gazette special publication “Sixty Objects, Sixty Stories”, a review of 2019 highlights from the magazine.
Barometers in Action, History of Aneroid Barometers, Technology | October 3, 2019
20th Century Technology – An Archive
We often talk and think about the Victorian era, and for many it stands alone as a brief period in world history when so much of what we know, use and take for granted in the 21st Century was invented or was the seed from which a much bigger idea blossomed in later years. Much of the inventiveness of the…
Compasses | August 31, 2019
Compasses at Greenwich to Point to True North for the First Time in 360 Years
The Royal Observatory has announced that, at some point over the next two weeks, compasses at Greenwich will point true north for the first time in about 360 years. And for some parts of the UK, this may not happen for another 20 years. Either way, it is a once-in-a-lifetime event.
Vavasseur Antiques - Antique & Vintage Aneroid Barometers, Barographs & Other Scientific Instruments | August 23, 2019
Testing Aneroid Barometers for Accuracy & Function
Aneroid barometers that have not been properly serviced and calibrated may be prone to one or more of the many common faults that are found and the oft-cited Plastic Bag Text is fallible. Buying an instrument that has not been properly checked is therefore a lottery.
Featured, Media Mentions, Vavasseur Antiques - Antique & Vintage Aneroid Barometers, Barographs & Other Scientific Instruments | January 8, 2019
Vavasseur Scientific Instruments Featured in “Homes & Antiques” Magazine
We’re thrilled that several of our antique scientific instruments have been showcased in the February 2019 edition of “Homes & Antiques” magazine as part of its “Look to the Stars” feature. Barothermograph c1925 Spencer Browning Sextant c1870 Negretti & Zambra Gyroscope c1865
Barographs, Barometers in Action, Weather | October 1, 2018
Negretti & Zambra Barograph & Thermograph Instructions
An original Negretti & Zambra leaflet c1910 with directions for setting up self-recording barometers (barographs), thermometers (thermographs), etc
Vavasseur Antiques - Antique & Vintage Aneroid Barometers, Barographs & Other Scientific Instruments | September 27, 2018
Collecting in the 21st Century
The decline in the antiques trade might be a wholly unnatural phenomenon. Is it about to rebound with a rise in the collection of technology?
Vavasseur Antiques - Antique & Vintage Aneroid Barometers, Barographs & Other Scientific Instruments | September 20, 2018
Antique Pocket Barometers on Screen
It’s been an interesting September for Vavasseur Antiques with two unusual enquiries for antique pocket barometers. The first was from a UK production company seeking an antique pocket barometer as a prop for the lead character in a forthcoming TV series. Unfortunately, as the programme was set in 1830s, as pocket barometers weren’t invented until Negretti & Zambra rose to…
Barometers in Action, Weather | April 12, 2018
A Moment of Calm in This Hectic World…
Mark has recently enhanced his test equipment and is now able to film barometers under pressurised conditions. This short clip shows the unusual Casella pocket barometer, made for the Royal Geographical Society c1930, replicating the effect of descending from 25,000ft to 12,000ft – and it only takes 27 seconds! For more information about the RGS pocket barometer, click…
History of Aneroid Barometers | October 29, 2017
Harrison’s Chronometer and the Determination of Longitude
The Science Museum recently posted a very interesting blog about the story behind John Harrison and his portrait at the Royal Observatory. In its own way, the invention of the aneroid barometer by Lucien Vidi and its determination of altitude was as significant an invention in the 19th century as Harrison’s was in the 18th. https://blog.sciencemuseum.org.uk/portrait-mr-harrison-timekeepers/
Vavasseur Antiques - Antique & Vintage Aneroid Barometers, Barographs & Other Scientific Instruments | October 10, 2017
Apprehensive about Buying an Antique Barometer Online?
This glorious Jules Richard Bourdon Barometer c1890 was the inspiration for our original logo! Buying an antique barometer or barograph online from an unknown company is understandably daunting, and can be a cause for concern. Set up in 2016, Vavasseur Antiques has become the preeminent specialist in the very finest antique aneroid barometers, barographs and other Victorian scientific instruments in...
Vavasseur Antiques - Antique & Vintage Aneroid Barometers, Barographs & Other Scientific Instruments | October 8, 2017
Vavasseur Antiques is now on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook!
Find Vavasseur Antiques on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook… We now have an official Vavasseur Antiques Twitter feed – @VavasseurAnt, an Instagram page – vavasseur_antiques, and a Facebook page – @vavasseurantiques, where we post up images and details of new and/or interesting objects from our portfolio. If you have a moment, please do follow us!
Weather | September 16, 2017
Weather Forecasting, the Negretti & Zambra Way!
A number of years before the BBC started to broadcast shipping forecasts and weather reports in November 1922, Negretti & Zambra patented the ‘weather forecaster’ to allow both professionals and the man in the street to forecast the weather with more than 80% accuracy (the result of 10 years’ research). Negretti & Zambra’s patent – No. 6276/15 – was applied…
Weather | September 13, 2017
Storm Aileen, 12-13 September 2017
After a period of very settled weather, Storm Aileen heralded the start of Autumn as she passed over last night, peaking at 2.41am, if the extremely strong gust that blew open one of the closed bedroom windows was anything to go by! Luckily window and glass survived the storm, as did the peacock whose usual roost is a tree at…
Weather | September 10, 2017
Operation Weather Rescue: Ben Nevis
The BBC recently highlighted the project to digitise the metrological measurements taken at an observatory atop Ben Nevis between 1883 and 1904 so that the readings can be used by modern researchers. The article can be read here. Perfect for darker Autumn evenings, I’ve signed up to take part!
Weather | March 1, 2017
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