Marine barometer with 5” glazed porcelain, printed and hand-decorated dial, the upper portion having barometric scale from 28-31 inches of mercury, annotated “Falls for Warm, Wet or More Wind,” “Changeable,” “Rises for Cold, Dry or Less Wind.” Signed by the maker “Dollond, London,” the centre captioned “Copyright,” the lower portion marked “The Royal Standard Aneroid” with printed and hand-decorated Royal Standard flag. Blued-steel pointer set beneath bevelled glass with gilded telltale to centre. Spun brass bezel retaining traces of original finish, lacquered and japanned brass movement of conventional pattern driven by a single 2.6” capsule and mounted upon a substantial steel chassis doubling as case rear. The whole contained within its original and very unusual cast iron case retaining a good proportion of original dark red enamel finish, compensation port to rear set at 4 o’clock, bulkhead mounting case extensions at 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock.

Overall, in good working order and condition. The dial, as with all other porcelain, has extensive superficial crazing to the glaze, but no ‘damage’ – it remains crisp with excellent colour and resolution.

Looking at all variations of the Dollond marine barometer, this Royal Standard variation appears least of all. The Royal Standard, without doubt, must have been applied with official consent: indeed Dollond held Royal Warrants from George III, William IV and Queen Victoria.

Dimensions: 6¼” diameter x 1¼” deep

Stock No: BA0340

Price: Vavasseur Archive