A very good slim cased pocket aneroid barometer altimeter retailed by J. Lizars, 101 & 107 Buchanan Street, Glasgow, c1910

Pocket barometer having 1¾” die struck and silvered dial, outer bezel rotated altimetric scale calibrated in feet with a range from 0 – 8,000ft on the Professor Airy’s Scale, divided down to 50ft, the inner part with standard meteorological terms, the upper signed by the retailer “J. Lizars, Optician” with address “101 & 107 Buchanan St, Glasgow” and “Compensated” to lower part. Blued steel pointer, bevelled glass.

Standard Vidi pattern movement driven from a single 1” cell tensioned on a C spring, the relieved chassis with pivot extensions.

All contained within a slimline semi barrel form lacquered brass case, engine turned bezel and finisher to verso with calibration port. Case extension with suspension bow.

Presented in its correct burgundy leather over timber, green velvet and silk lined case, snap closure on a button release.

Condition: The subject of a full service, conservation, and calibration under laboratory conditions, the movement working exceptionally well, see performance chart.

The dial clean and crisp, the glass damage free. The brass case retaining virtually all its original lacquered finish. The leather case structurally sound, marks, abrasions and minor losses, good colour. The fabric interior generally good, the lid silk perished at centre.

Comments: The slimline version of the aneroid pocket barometer is just another variation in design, but not a particularly common one. Although unsigned, this is almost certainly the work of Francis Barker, the highly respected maker of scientific instruments whose main business was producing white label instruments for retailers to badge as their own.

This is an aesthetically attractive piece in very much better than average condition, and certainly collectable.