A rare early silver presentation aneroid pocket barometer no 553 for R&J Beck, London, c1872

Silver pocket barometer having 1¾” silvered and engraved dial, the barometric scale calibrated in inches of mercury with a range from 24” – 31” divided down to 1/20th, the upper part signed by the retailer “R&J Beck, 31 Cornhill,” the lower marked “London,” serial no. “553,” and “Compensated.” Blued steel pointer, bezel operated needle index, bevelled crystal.

The Vidie pattern movement driven from a single nickel alloy 1” capsule and tensioned on a coil spring,  marked “#8” and “Beck” with a signature, the decorated chassis stamped with “4” and “M”, the verso stamped “22.”

Contained within a silver semi barrel form case, engine turned finishers. Rotating verso inscribed “To Captain George Page from J. Edward Street, Lloyds, May 1873” with setting screw. Pendant and silver hallmarked bow for 1872.

Condition: The subject of a full service, conservation, and calibration under laboratory conditions, see performance chart from dynamic test. The movement working exceptionally well. Generally very good, near perfect dial, the silver case with some minor wear.

Comments: Although unsigned, the movement was made by Negretti & Zambra, a second generation iteration of their early pocket watch sized barometers.

A really very good early presentation piece in silver, rare and most collectable.