A scarce and very good cast iron “The Universal Barometer for the Use of Mariners, Agriculturalists, Horticulturalists, &c.” by Dollond c1890

Aneroid barometer having 4¾” transfer printed ceramic dial, the outer part with standard meteorological terms , barometric scale calibrated in inches of mercury with a range from 28” – 31”, divided down to 1/20”, the centre with general forecasting instruction. The lower part marked “The Universal Barometer for the use of Mariners, Agriculturalists, Horticulturists, &c.” Blued steel pointer, gilt brass index, flat plate glass held within a lacquered brass bezel.

Standard Vidie pattern movement driven from a single 3” soldered capsule tensioned on a C spring, all arranged over a heavy circular chassis-backplate with casting mark “TAR” surmounting “1.” The whole contained within a heavy cast iron drum form case with bulkhead fixings at 12 and 6 o’clock.

Condition: Fully serviced, conserved and calibrated under laboratory conditions, see performance chart from dynamic test. The movement working well with good sensitivity and progression, easily accurate enough for domestic use.

The dial with normal crazing to glaze, remaining damage free, save for small firing fault at top, and slight flaw at 3 o’clock to very edge of dial. Retailer’s name to upper part mostly lost, the other indices clear and sharp, overall very crisp.

The heavy cast iron case remaining sound and intact, retaining some original dark green finish. The bezel with partial restoration.

Comments: This is one of the best examples of this very collected popular barometer seen so far, really very hard to find in any condition. The attractive dial working well with the clearly utilitarian case – in all presenting with very good strong aesthetic value. Certainly collectable or a wonderful gift for the sailor, farmer, or gardener alike.

Dollond constructed a series of ‘novelty’ barometers, partly as a foil to their immensely successful series of “Shipwrecked Mariners Society” barometers, but primarily as a marketing exercise. A number of versions based on the same movement found in the Shipwrecked barometers are known, to include “The Universal,” “The Royal Standard,” and The Life-Buoy” pattern instruments, all of which must be considered very scarce.