Negretti & Zambra Pocket Barometer Altimeter Compendium c1895 – SOLD
Pocket barometer compendium having 2” silvered and engraved dial with barometric range from 21–31 inches of mercury, the upper portion marked with meterological headings “Rain,” “Change” and “Fair,” and “Compensated.” Rotating outer altimeter ring calibrated from 0–10,000ft. Fine blued-steel pointer set beneath bevelled glass. Conventional single capsule movement. Compensation port to verso set at 8 o’clock. Case-mounted post with suspension ring.
Rear-mounted detachable compass and circumferentially-mounted thermometer set on clasps. The Singer’s Patent style compass with lyre trademark, set to the centre with floating mother of pearl card marked with cardinals and inter cardinals, arrestor pin. The curved thermometer set on a silvered and engraved circular register with a range from 20-130 degrees Fahrenheit and from -10–60 degrees Centigrade.
All contained within its original double-sided green velvet and silk-lined moroccan leather over wood-covered case, snap closure on a twin button release.
An early and higher quality than usual Negretti & Zambra compendium. Serviced and conserved, the barometer, compass and thermometer in good working order and condition. The brass case retaining virtually all its original gilt lacquer, the dial with very minor scratch. The leather case in excellent sound condition with good colour, some minor wear and abrasions, small good repair to area of button releases. Although unattributed, the movement is certainly the work of Negretti & Zambra – it is an instrument of excellent quality and first in class condition. It also has a scratched mark “8,88” on the chassis, which might reflect a date of August 1888, so possibly a little earlier than our estimate.
Becoming increasingly hard to find and in this condition extremely rare, this instrument is as good as any noted.
Stock No: CP0445
Dimensions: 3″ diameter x 1½” deep
Price: SOLD