A very good silver aneroid pocket or desk barometer, altimeter and thermometer compendium by JC Vickery c1910

Pocket barometer having stepped silvered and die-struck dial with outer bezel-controlled altitude ring calibrated in feet with a range from 0 – 8,000ft and divided down to 100ft, inner with standard meteorological terms at top, the lower signed by the maker “J.C. Vickery, London,” and having semi-circular thermometer, the register calibrated in degrees Celsius and Fahrenheit with corresponding ranges -10° to 50° and 20° to 120°, blued steel pointer, all set below a bevelled glass. Conventional good quality movement. initialled and dated “29/9/10,” driven from a single 1” nickel alloy capsule tensioned on a C spring, the movement unsigned but most probably by Short & Mason.

The whole contained within an engine-turned hinged case, the lid with initialled cartouche “AK.” Full English hallmarks to inner lid and lower case lip, including date letter “p” for 1910, the verso with calibration port and marked “JC Vickery, 179,181 & 183, Regent Street, W.”

Condition: The subject of a full overhaul, service, conservation, and calibration under laboratory conditions. The movement working exceptionally well across the full range the error < 1/10” which is well in line with the very best instruments of this era, see performance chart. The dial clean and crisp with good vibrancy, the thermometer working as it should. The engine turned case showing some general wear, two very slight depressions, one to the lid at approximately 9 o’clock as viewed from above, the other to the lower case at the extreme bottom edge – these are both barely noticeable. Minor abrasions and some slight discolouration to lower part but again barely noticeable. The bezel turning smoothly, the lid closing snuggly with just the right resistance to remain closed.

Comments: Not perfect but not so far away, and more than presentably accurate. An aesthetically pleasing instrument and now really quite hard to find in this condition. A collector’s piece or a wonderful and useful gift.

John Collard Vickery was an important and successful player in the retail side of the gold and silversmithing business in the early 20th century, obtaining a number of Royal Warrants.