RNLI marine barometer having 5” enamelled and hand illuminated dial, calibrated in inches of mercury having a range from 26-31, the upper portion marked with basic forecasting instructions, “Barometer Falls for Warm, Wet, Or More Wind,” “Rises for Cold, Dry, Or Less Wind,” “Fisherman’s Aneroid Barometer.” The lower portion further marked “Issued by the Royal National Life Boat Institution, No 5298,” with a hand painted addition above “As,” and signed by the maker “Negretti & Zambra, London.” Fine blued steel pointer, gilt brass telltale, all set beneath bevelled glass. Heavy brass bezel, quality lacquered and japanned brass movement driven by a 3″ capsule. The whole contained within its original zinc drum-form case, rear-mounted bulkhead fixing points, calibration adjustment port set at 4 o’clock.
Condition: Serviced and calibrated, original in all respects. Good sensitivity and transition, presented as it would have appeared when issued. The case displaying the patination that would have accrued through use at sea. Minor scratches to glass around brass telltale knob, otherwise condition excellent.
Comments: A hard to find example of this sought-after marine barometer, this is one of the initial barometers issued by the RNLI to fishermen at the subsidised rate of 11 shillings and 6d, and were produced with unpainted zinc cases and plain brass bezels. Later instruments marked “As Issued By…” were sold for £1 15 0, and were generally presented with painted metal or oak cases. This example had the word “As” added later, when the RNLI agreed that both makers could start to market these marine barometers directly to end customers.
This original RNLI marine barometer is very much a collector’s piece.
Dimensions: 6¼” diameter x 2¼” deep
Stock No: BA1786
Price: Vavasseur Archive - not currently for sale