A very scarce antique Shipwrecked Fishermen & Mariners Royal Benevolent Society Marine Aneroid Barometer, No 717, by Dollond, London, c1895

Marine barometer, 5” glazed porcelain 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,” “Marine Aneroid Barometer Made by Dollond, London,” the centre with serial “No. 717,” the lower portion marked “The Shipwrecked Fishermen & Mariners’ Royal Benevolent Society” and the Society’s address “26 Suffolk Street, Pall Mall, East, S.W.” Blued-steel pointer set beneath heavy bevelled glass with gilded telltale to centre. Heavy brass bezel retaining most of original lacquer, first quality lacquered and japanned brass movement of conventional pattern driven by a 3” capsule. The whole contained within its original, good quality, turned oak case with steel lining, the movement held in place with hexagonal screws, compensation port to rear set at 3 o’clock, bulkhead mounting plates at 12 and 6 o’clock.

Dollond rightly had a reputation for fine instruments – this barometer is of the very highest quality, superior, in engineering terms, to comparable Negretti & Zambra movements in similar marine barometers.

This aneroid marine barometer is very sensitive with stepless progression, the dial in exceptionally good condition. A very desirable collector’s piece, these barometers are highly sought after.