Antique aneroid pocket barometer having 1¾” engraved and silvered dial with barometric range calibrated in inches of mercury from 17-31, having stations on the inch and divided to 10ths, associated altimetric scale calibrated in feet with a range from 0–16,000ft, with stations at 1000s and divided to 100s. The upper part with standard meteorological terms “Rain,” “Change” “Fair” and “Compensated,” the lower part signed by the maker “Dollond, London.” Fine blued steel pointer set beneath a heavy bevelled glass. Conventional high quality 1¼” capsule driven movement, ribbed drum form case, extension post with suspension ring, calibration port to verso.

Semi-circular mercurial thermometer set on an ivory register calibrated in degrees Fahrenheit with a range from 20–130 with stations at 10s and divided to 2.

Centrally-mounted Singers Patent pattern compass, the mother of pearl floating card marked “Singer’s Patent” and serial no. “23952,” cardinals and intercardinals, bezel-mounted lock.

All contained within its original double lidded oxblood moroccan leather over timber cream silk and deep blue velvet lined case, lid silk with gold block maker’s cartouche “Dollond & Co, No 1, Ludgate Hill, London,” the rims delicately tooled. Snap closure on twin button release.

Early instruments of this quality and this condition are exceedingly scarce – the thermometers, because of their vulnerability, almost always missing or broken. The pocket barometer altimeter retaining virtually all its lacquered finish. The thermometer register with very small shrinkage crack just above the bulb, minor losses to compass card, the hub with some oxidation. The leather case with some losses and abrasions, contemporary repair to leather around release buttons. The fabric interior with some signs of ageing though retaining much of its colour and vibrancy.

Overall very crisp and original condition, the pocket barometer function shows good sensitivity and progression, in good working order, the compass finds north easily, the lock properly arresting the card, the thermometer with unbroken thread.

The unusually heavy crystal in the pocket barometer and an altimetric range to 16,000ft would strongly suggest that this compendium was a special order for a mountaineer or a balloonist. A truly wonderful example of the finest in Victorian craftsmanship.

Dimensions: 2¾” wide x 2⅜” long x 1⅜” wide

Stock No: CP0653

Price: VAVASSEUR ARCHIVE