A very good silver aneroid pocket barometer altimeter no. 9378 by James J. Hicks in original case c1909

Silver pocket barometer having 1¾” silvered and die struck dial, the outer altimetric scale marked in feet with a range from 0 – 10,000ft, divided down to 100ft, the inner barometric scale calibrated in inches of mercury with a range from 21” – 31” divided to 1/20”. The upper part with standard meteorological terms, and “Compensated,” the lower part signed “J. Hicks, Maker, London,” and carrying serial no. “9378.” Blued steel pointer under bevelled glass, rotating bezel with barb index..

The standard Vidie pattern movement driven from a single 1⅛” soldered nickel alloy capsule tensioned on a C spring and constructed on a milled platform chassis, the verso initialled, possibly “IJ” or “JG.” All contained within a silver case, hallmarks to pendant and bow, e for 1900 and silvermaker’s mark “CH,” and the verso with “ATO” and o for 1909, together with finely engraved cipher and dated “11 Aug 1911.”

Presented in its original burgundy leather over timber, cream silk and purple velvet lined clam shell case, snap closure on a button release.

Condition: The subject of a full service, conservation, and calibration under laboratory conditions, see performance chart from dynamic test, the movement working very acceptably well.

The dial about perfect, the silver case with excellent gloss, minor hazing and some slight marking. The travel case structurally sound, the outer leather covering crisp and with good colour, the internal fabric bright and vibrant, minor marks to lid silk.

Comments: Albert Thomas Oliver was a silversmith working in Clerkenwell, London, and specialising in gold and silver watch cases, from 1903 onwards, continuing the business of Richard James Oliver.

We attribute CH to Charles Hatchman, who was a silversmith and maker of watch cases, working from 1867 onwards. The most recent work recorded by Hatchman is dated 1874, but we have several examples of this silver maker’s mark with date letters up to 1909.

The cipher on the verso is not easy to read, but may be “MA” or “M something A.”

This silver pocket barometer from a well-known maker is a very wonderful item and now extremely difficult to find. A collector’s piece.