Scarce fine quality engine turned silver aneroid pocket barometer altimeter and compass compendium retailed by Carpenter & Westley c1885

Pocket barometer with 1⅞” silvered and die struck dial, the outer bezel driven altitude scale calibrated in feet with a range from 0 – 9,000ft divided down to 100ft, inner barometric scale calibrated in inches of mercury with a range from 22” – 31” divided down to 1/20th, standard meteorological terms, ”Change” within a decorated cartouche, the upper part signed by the retailer “Carpenter & Westley,” the lower part with retailer’s address, “24 Regent St, London” and “Compensated.” Fine blued steel pointer, bevelled crystal held within rotating bezel. The 1st quality lacquered brass movement driven from a single 1¼” capsule tensioned on a C spring.

The compass with silvered and die struck decorated dry card, having cardinal and intercardinal points, the azimuth calibrated in degrees divided to quadrants 0°-90°-0°-90°-0°, polished bar needle, jewelled suspension, bezel mounted transit lock. Heavy bevelled crystal.

All contained in intricately engine turned drum form cases with plain engine turned finishers. The pocket barometer with pendant and bow, calibration port to engine turned verso, central circular cartouche initialled “J.S.” The compass with screw threaded attachment to barometer.

The whole presented in its original two tier leather over timber blue velvet and silk lined case, snap closures on button releases.

Condition: The subject of a full service, conservation, and calibration under laboratory conditions, see performance chart from dynamic test. The barometer working very well, recording a maximum error of 0.3”  across the full range, the dial about perfect. The compass working well and easily finding North, the card about fine, the transit lock is effective. The travel case structurally sound, the outer leather covering partly replaced as is one lid silk. Catches working correctly.

Comments: This is a really very unusual pattern and probably aesthetically the most attractive of all the compendia. Retailed by one of London’s most exclusive outlets, the quality in construction is as good as can be found, and this is evident throughout the instruments. The case without hallmarks but tests for silver.

I have handled several of such double-sided silver compendia, concluding that they may well have originated from one collector source and almost certainly acquired over many years.

If you are looking for a special compendium this is it. Very lovely and very unusual.