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 “As Issued by the Royal National Life Boat Institution, No 29166,” signed by the maker “Negretti & Zambra, London.” Fine blued steel pointer, gilt brass telltale, all set beneath bevelled glass.

Heavy painted brass bezel, quality lacquered and japanned brass movement driven by a 3″ capsule. The whole contained within its original painted zinc drum-form case, rear-mounted bulkhead fixing points, calibration adjustment port set at 4 o’clock.

Condition: The subject of a full service, conservation and re-calibration under laboratory conditions, see performance chart. The zinc case displaying the marks and patination that would have accrued through use at sea, the glass damage free.

Comments: A good example of this sought-after marine barometer, these “As Issued by” barometers followed the initial distribution of these instruments to fishermen and ships’ captains at the subsidised rate of 11 shillings and 6d, and were included in the Negretti & Zambra catalogue of 1886 priced at £1 15 0.

This RNLI marine barometer is very much a collector’s piece.

Negretti & Zambra, founded in 1850 as makers of scientific instruments, were the most prolific and leading makers of all types of barometers during the second half of the 19^th century. The partnership exhibited at the Great Exhibition at the Crystal Palace in 1851 and won a Prize Medal. Negretti & Zambra held the appointment of instrument-makers to Her Majesty Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and Edward VII, the Royal Observatory and the British Admiralty (see Banfield, Edwin, Barometer Makers and Retailers, 1660-1900).