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Live
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Dreweatts
Donnington Priory
Newbury, Berkshire
RG14 2JE
United Kingdom
Fine Clocks, Barometers and Scientific Instruments
This is a live online auction with auctioneer. For details on registration, bidding, viewing & condition reports, click “Important information” link.
Auction dates
Mar 25, 2025 10:30 AM GMT
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Mar 21, 2025 10:00 AM - 04:00 PM GMT
Mar 22, 2025 10:00 AM - 03:00 PM GMT
Mar 23, 2025 10:00 AM - 03:00 PM GMT
Mar 24, 2025 10:00 AM - 04:00 PM GMT
Mar 25, 2025 09:00 AM - 10:30 AM GMT
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Featured lots
We found 29 items matching your search
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A RARE GEORGE III MAHOGANY HODOMETER OR WAYWISER
DOLLOND, LONDON, CIRCA 1800
With 31.5 inch diameter wheel bound with an iron tyre and with six tapered spokes around a brass hub engaging with take-off gearing contained within the left hand fork of the handle assembly, the right hand fork incorporating a hinged section to allow removal of the wheel with locking via a knurled brass screw, the upper section with inverted 7.25 inch circular silvered register engraved Dollond, London to centre within concentric inner scale calibrated in Roman numeral Miles ( I to X ) and Arabic Furlongs ( 0 to 8 for each mile) to be read by the shorter of the two blued steel hands within outer scales calibrated in Poles ( 0 to 40 ) and Yards ( 0 to 220 ) to be read by the longer hand, set behind a hinged glazed circular moulded wooden bezel beneath elaborate yoke-shaped handle.
137cm (54ins) high overall, 30.5cm (12ins) wide at the handle.
Provenance:
Private Collection.
Peter Dollond is recorded in Banfield, Edwin BAROMETER MAKERS AND RETAILERS 1680-1860 as born 1730 and died 1820. He was the son of John Dollond, a Huguenot silk weaver and started business as an optician in 1750. He was joined by his father in 1752 until his death in 1761, and then by his brother, John, until his death in 1804. The family business was continued by Peter Dollond's nephew, George Huggins, who changed his surname to Dollond. George Dollond became instrument maker to William IV and Queen Victoria, exhibited at the Great Exhibition in 1851 and died 1856. The firm became one of the largest makers and suppliers of scientific and optical instruments and continued trading under various guises throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.
The current lot would have been a particularly valuable instrument for surveyors charged with creating maps and plans during the latter years of the 18th century. The importance of the instrument's role is reflected in the quality of its construction with the dial in particular being finely engraved and finished. When reviewing comparable surviving instruments of this type it becomes clear that different makers such as Dollond, Thomas Rubergall, William Frazer, and W. and S. Jones appear to have sold essentially identical instruments. This would suggest that they were probably made in one workshop who then supplied them to various makers for retail. One possible candidate for the supplier would be the workshop established by George Adams, as several earlier variants of this design by him are known including an example in the King George III collection housed at The Science Museum, London. This suggests that Adams was used to making such instruments hence was best suited to supply them in reasonable numbers to other makers.
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A REGENCY MAHOGANY AND LACQUERED BRASS TWO-INCH REFRACTING TELESCOPE
DOLLOND, LONDON, EARLY 19 th CENTURY
The 28.75 inch slightly tapered mahogany tube with brass dust cap to the objective end opposing rack-and-pinion focus adjustment and telescopic eyepiece assembly threaded into the tube end piece engraved DOLLOND * LONDON to circumference, mounted via an universal pivot joint onto a rotating column turned upright over folding tripod supports cast as cabriole legs with pad feet, in original mahogany box with additional eyepiece tube, eyepiece lens and a filter.
The box 77cm (30.25ins) long, 16.5cm (6.5ins) deep, 10cm (4ins) high.
Peter Dollond is recorded in Banfield, Edwin BAROMETER MAKERS AND RETAILERS 1680-1860 as born 1730 and died 1820. He was the son of John Dollond, a Huguenot silk weaver and started business as an optician in 1750. He was joined by his father in 1752 until his death in 1761, and then by his brother, John, until his death in 1804. The family business was continued by Peter Dollond's nephew, George Huggins, who changed his surname to Dollond. George Dollond became instrument maker to William IV and Queen Victoria, exhibited at the Great Exhibition in 1851 and died 1856. The firm became one of the largest makers and suppliers of scientific and optical instruments and continued trading under various guises throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.
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Y A VICTORIAN FIGURED MAHOGANY MERCURY STICK BAROMETER
LANCASTER AND THORPE, DERBY, CIRCA 1880
The arched case with glazed twin canted ivory Vernier scales each calibrated in barometric inches and with the usual observations, the one on the left labelled 10 A.M. YESTERDAY opposing 10 A.M. TODAY to the right, the upper margin signed twice LANCASTER & THORPE over OPTICIANS and DERBY respectively, over flame-figured trunk with two Vernier adjustment squares to throat over inset arch glazed ivory FAHRENHEIT and REAUMUR mercury thermometer, the rounded base with moulded circular cistern cover and level adjustment square to underside.
94cm (37ins) high, 11cm (4.25ins) wide.
The opticians Lancaster and Thorpe were established in Derwent Street, Derby by 1885 and had expanded to become a national network of Opticians by the 1990's. The business still trades today with branches at 100 St. Peter's Street, 14 Sadler's Gate and 495 Nottingham Road, Derby.
Condition Report:
IVORY LICENCE REF - NELFXTAB
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Y A REGENCY CHEVRON-BANDED MAHOGANY MERCURY STICK BAROMETER
P. CAMINADA, TAUNTON, CIRCA 1820
The case with open triangular pediment above rectangular glazed mahogany door enclosing silvered Vernier scale calibrated in barometric inches and with the usual observations to right-hand side opposing spirit Fahrenheit scale thermometer to the left, beneath signature P. Caminada, FECIT to upper margin, with visible tube to the chevron banded caddy moulded trunk over domed circular cistern cover to the rounded base.
96.5cm (38ins) high, 13cm (5.25ins) wide.
Peter Caminada is recorded in in Banfield, Edwin BAROMETER MAKERS AND RETAILERS 1660-1900 as working in Taunton circa 1820-40.
Condition Report:
IVORY LICENCE REF - 6MNYFDS5
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Y A GEORGE III MAHOGANY MERCURY STICK BAROMETER
THOMAS HARRIS AND SON, LONDON, CIRCA 1805
The case with open triangular pediment above rectangular glazed mahogany door, enclosing silvered Vernier scale calibrated in barometric inches and with the usual observations beneath signature Tho's Harrs & Son, Opticians to his Majesty to the right-hand side, opposing Fahrenheit scale mercury thermometer to the left, with Vernier adjustment square to throat and visible tube to the caddy moulded trunk over hemispherical cistern cover to the rounded base incorporating level adjustment screw to underside.
99cm (39ins) high, 13cm (5ins) wide.
Thomas Harris and Son are recorded in Clifton, Gloria Directory of British Scientific Instrument Makers 1550-1851 as a partnership between father and son, both named Thomas, formed in around 1802. Thomas Harris senior is noted as working as an optician, mathematical instrument and globe maker from 1790; and his son from 1802. Both makers are listed as worked from 140 Fleet Street, London in 1804, and then Thomas junior alone at Hyde Street, Bloomsbury in 1808 - having most likely inherited the business from his father who died in 1806. Thomas Harris junior served as a Sargeant in the Bloomsbury Volunteers and died in an unfortunate fire at Covent Garden Theatre in 1808.
Condition Report:
IVORY LICENCE REF - D2ZGKXV3
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Y A FINE GEORGE III EBONY BANDED MAHOGANY MERCURY STICK BAROMETER WITH HYGROMETER
CARY, LONDON, CIRCA 1800
The case with swan neck pediment over circular silvered hygrometer annotated DAMP/DRY set behind convex glazed brass bezel, over rectangular brass-framed glazed door enclosing silvered Vernier scale calibrated in barometric inches to right hand side opposing the usual observations to the left beneath signature Cary, London to upper margin, the ebony-banded caddy moulded trunk applied with arch glazed silvered Fahrenheit and Reaumur scale mercury thermometer over circular convex cistern cover to the rounded base incorporating level adjustment screw to underside.
108cm (42.5ins) high, 14cm (5.5ins) wide.
The celebrated Cary family business of scientific instrument and globe makers was established by John Cary at Johnson's Court, Fleet Street, London in 1782 moving to a new address at 'Corner of Arundel Square', Strand the following year. He was primarily an engraver of maps, charts and globes who moved again in 1783 to 188 Strand. By 1791 he had entered into what appeared to be a relatively casual partnership with his brother, William; this partnership lasted until circa 1816 by which time William and John Cary had moved again to 181 Strand before finally settling in 86 St. James in 1820. The following year he was succeeded by his sons, John (II) and George Cary, who continued from the firm's 181 Strand address until 1851/2 when the business was acquired by Henry Gould.
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Y A FINE GEORGE III FIGURED MAHOGANY BOWFRONTED 'FLAT-TO-THE-WALL' MERCURY STICK BAROMETER
RAMSDEN, LONDON, CIRCA 1795
With ebonised shouldered urn finial to the concave-sided upstand and cavetto cornice, over rectangular bow-glazed silvered Vernier scale calibrated in barometric inches to the right hand side opposing the usual observations to the left, the lower left corner signed Ramsden, London , the trunk of the same bowed profile incorporating Vernier setting square beneath the cavetto throat moulding over fine figured veneers line-edged in ebony, the base with turned ebonised half vase cistern cover flanked by canted angles inlaid with ebony 'flutes' over cavetto moulded underside.
103cm (43ins) high, 11cm (4.25ins) wide.
Jesse Ramsden is recorded in Clifton, Gloria Directory of British Scientific Instrument Makers 1550-1851 as working from several addresses in London 1762 until his death in 1800, however by 1782 both his workshop and principal retail outlet were on Piccadilly. He was one of the finest instrument makers of the period being particularly well known for his invention of a dividing engine and subsequent equatorial telescope stands.
Condition Report:
Tube is filled with no apparent airlocks (mercury column will rise all the way to the top of the tube when instrument is tilted). The silvering is in fine condition with nice even colour and the Vernier slide is in working condition. The case is generally in fine condition with faults very much limited to very minor age-related wear. There is no setting key for the Vernier/cistern level included with the instrument.
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1,200 - 1,800 GBP
A FINE EARLY VICTORIAN SCOTTISH MAHOGANY BOWFRONTED MERCURY STICK BAROMETER
ADIE AND SON, EDINBURGH, CIRCA 1835
With domed gadroon carved domed caddy surmount over concave cornice and glazed rectangular silvered Vernier scale calibrated in barometric inches to right hand side opposing the usual observations to the left beneath signature Adie & Son, Edinburgh to upper margin, with straight bowfronted trunk beneath terminating in an conforming inverted reeded caddy cistern cover with stepped ogee top mouldings and leafy bud pendant incorporating a level adjustment disc to underside.
107cm (42ins) high, 10cm (4ins) wide.
Alexander Adie is recorded in Goodison, Nicholas ENGLISH BAROMETERS 1680-1860 as born 1774 and apprenticed to his uncle, the eminent Scottish instrument maker John Miller, in 1789. In 1804 his uncle took him into partnership under the name of Miller and Adie which continued until after Miller's death in 1815. Adie was particularly interested in meteorological instruments and is perhaps best known as the inventor of the Sympiesometer in 1818. In recognition of his work he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1819. He was appointed optician to William IV and later Queen Victoria and took one of his sons, John, into partnership in 1835. Two of his other sons set up businesses; Robert in Liverpool and Patrick in London. Unfortunately John Adie was prone to 'fits of despondency' which resulted in him shooting himself in 1857, Alexander Adie died the following year - no doubt expediated by the stress of his son's demise.
Condition Report:
Instrument is generally in very fine condition. The tube is filled with no apparent airlocks however the mercury column will almost reach the top of the tube when the instrument is reclined slightly suggesting the presence of a very small amount of air. The scale is in fine condition with nice slightly mellowed colour to the silvering; the Vernier slide is in working order. The case is in very fine condition with the only notable fault being some edge wear to the small section of cavetto moulding applied to the left-hand upper edge of the cistern assembly. The finial is probably a replacement; faults are otherwise very much limited to very light age related wear and blemishes.
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2,500 - 3,500 GBP
A RARE GEORGE III SCOTTISH CHEVRON-EDGED MAHOGANY MERCURY STICK BAROMETER
JOHN RUSSELL, FALKIRK, CIRCA 1790
The chevron banded case with swan neck pediment above arch-glazed door enclosing fine engraved silvered brass scale with arched banner titled BAROMETER over Vernier scale calibrated in barometric inches to the right and opposing the usual weather observations to the left, the lower margin signed Rufsell, Falkirk , the trunk applied with full-height half column enclosing the tube flanked by forty-five degree angle-grain veneers and chevron angles, over a slightly domed oval cistern cover.
98cm (38.5ins) high, 15cm (6ins) wide.
Provenance:
The Dr. Castle Collection of barometers and other weather instruments. Purchased at Bonhams, London sale of FINE CLOCKS Wednesday 7 th July 2016 (lot 2) for £1,690.
John Russell is recorded in Goodison, Nicholas ENGLISH BAROMETERS 1680-1860 as settling in Falkirk in 1770 where he set up shop opposite the top of Kirk Wynd. He proved to be a very talented watchmaker who was subsequently appointed maker to the Prince of Wales in 1811. In addition to making watches and barometers he advertised as being able to supply musical clocks, organs, microscopes and thermometers. Of his barometers his best known models are a type similar to the present lot, but also fitted with a hygrometer and thermometer (following the specification of Benjamin Martin's 'weather glasses'), and his landmark 'royal' barometers - which are essentially an early design of wheel barometer with subsidiary dials allowing changes in pressure to be obtained down to increments of 0.001 of an inch. John Russell died in 1817 and was succeeded by William Dobbie who was known to have produced a few barometers to Russell's designs.
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15
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1,200 - 1,800 GBP
A FINE AND RARE GEORGE III SCOTTISH INLAID MAHOGANY MERCURY WHEEL BAROMETER WITH TWELVE-INCH DIAL
BALTHAZAR KNIE, EDINBURGH, CIRCA 1790
The 12 inch circular silvered register calibrated in barometric inches 28-31 and divided into hundreds three times to outer track, the centre finely engraved with foliate festoon swags signed Knie, Fecit over starburst and conforming oval cartouche inscribed Edinburgh , within inner track annotated Stormy, Much Rain, Rain, Changeable, Fair, Settled Fair, Very Dry , with steel hand and a brass recording pointer set behind glazed cast brass cavetto moulded bezel, the chevron-edged rounded-top case inset with silvered HYGROMETER , also with fine foliate festoon engraved centre signed KNIE EDIN'R , annotated DRY/DAMP and set within glazed brass bezel, over baluster-shaped upright centred with an arched glazed silvered Fahrenheit scale alcohol Thermometer within moulded surround and flanked by inlaid oval conch shell motifs, the base also rounded and centred with a circular fan cartouche.
107cm (42.25ins) high, 34cm (13.5ins) wide.
Provenance:
The Dr. Castle Collection of barometers and other weather instruments. Purchased at Christie's, London sale 500 Years: Decorative Arts, Europe 23rd September 2010 (lot 145) for £5,643.79.
Balthazar Knie is recorded in Goodison, Nicholas ENGLISH BAROMETERS 1680-1860 and Banfield, Edwin BAROMETER MAKERS AND RETAILERS 1660-1900 as working in Cork, Ireland from 1773 before moving to Edinburgh in 1776 where he remained until his death in 1817. He was born in Germany and spent several years travelling around Europe demonstrating his skills as a glass blower and barometer maker before finally settling in Edinburgh. He gained a considerable local reputation as a maker and repairer of barometers (and sand glasses including for maritime use). Knie was a notably inventive maker who is perhaps best known for developing a form of angle tube barometer which, by introducing a second acute angle bend into the tube, resulted in a more compact design (see Goodison, page 171, Plate 107).
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A SCOTTISH GEORGE III CHEVRON-EDGED MAHOGANY MERCURY STICK BAROMETER
BALTHAZAR KNIE, EDINBURGH, CIRCA 1800
The onion-top chevron-edged case with visible tube and inset with an arched silvered Vernier scale calibrated in barometric inches to the right, opposing the usual observations to the left, beneath banner issuing floral sprays signed KNIE, EDIN'R to the arch, the base with oval lozenge-shaped cistern cover.
99cm (39ins) high, 10cm (4ins) wide.
Provenance:
The Dr. Castle Collection of barometers and other weather instruments. Purchased from The Old Malthouse Antiques, Hungerford, 14th January 1989 for £1,500.
Balthazar Knie is recorded in Goodison, Nicholas ENGLISH BAROMETERS 1680-1860 and Banfield, Edwin BAROMETER MAKERS AND RETAILERS 1660-1900 as working in Cork, Ireland from 1773 before moving to Edinburgh in 1776 where he remained until his death in 1817. He was born in Germany and spent several years travelling around Europe demonstrating his skills as a glass blower and barometer maker before finally settling in Edinburgh. He gained a considerable local reputation as a maker and repairer of barometers (and sand glasses including for maritime use). Knie was a notably inventive maker who is perhaps best known for developing a form of angle tube barometer which, by introducing a second acute angle bend into the tube, resulted in a more compact design (see Goodison, page 171, Plate 107); a very similar instrument to the present is illustrated by Goodison on page 175 (plates 112-13).
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Y A VICTORIAN SCOTTISH ROSEWOOD MERCURY MARINE STICK BAROMETER WITH SYMPIESOMETER
H. MCQUEEN AND COMPANY, GLASGOW, CIRCA 1860
With cavetto moulded caddy pediment above rectangular glazed double canted ivory scales flanking the tube each calibrated for barometric inches together with the usual observations beneath annotations 9 A.M. YESTERDAY opposing 9 A.M. TO-DAY and signed H. McQUEEN & Co., GLASGOW to upper margin, the trunk with cavetto shaped sides flanking twin Vernier adjustment squares to throat over brass ring for the gimbal mount to the rectangular section trunk applied with glazed sympiesometer configured with silvered scale applied with siphon tube with open bulb to the right and sealed bulb to the left filled with pink stained fluid, the left-hand margin with mercury tube 10-110 Fahrenheit scale thermometer opposing right hand side with engraved vertical scale for degrees Fahrenheit ranging between 30 and 140 set behind slide with expanded scale annotated for barometric inches 27 to 31 and with the usual weather observations, the upper edge of the slide fitted with angled pointer for calibration against the temperature scale behind and with rack-and-pinion adjustment via a square to the exterior of the case, the upper left hand corner with recessed circular level recording disc engraved with barometric scale visible through an arched aperture in the plate and manually adjusted via projecting rim to the exterior of the case, the lower margin inscribed IMPROVED SYMPIESOMETER , the barometer trunk continuing beneath terminating with a moulded brass cylindrical cistern, (gimbals incomplete).
93cm (36.5ins) high, 11cm (4.25ins) wide.
Provenance:
The Dr. Castle Collection of barometers and other weather instruments.
H. McQueen and Company are recorded in Banfield, Edwin BAROMETER MAKERS AND RETAILERS 1660-1900 as makers of marine barometers with sympiesometers working form 63 Clyde Place, Glasgow circa 1840-60.
The sympiesometer was invented by Alexander Adie of Edinburgh in 1818 and is essentially an improved version of Robert Hooke's thermobarometer which was subject of a paper presented to the Royal Society in 1668. The instrument works by having a syphon tube filled with liquid open to the air at one end and with trapped gas at the other (sulphuric acid and hydrogen were used in later sympiesometers). As barometric pressure increases the liquid will be forced down the tube causing the gas to be compressed, resulting in a change in level in the tube; however the volume of the gas changes with temperature so before a reliable reading can be taken the instrument would first need to be calibrated by adjusting the position of the movable barometer scale in relation to the temperature scale behind to reflect the reading provided by the thermometer. The sympiesometer was conceived by Adie as an alternative to the mercury marine barometer as it was smaller and believed to be less susceptible to the motion of a vessel at sea.
Condition Report:
IVORY LICENCE REF - E7KCZLWR
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Y A REGENCY SCOTTISH PARTRIDGEWOOD MERCURY STICK BAROMETER
W. URE, GLASGOW, CIRCA 1820
The herringbone banded partridgewood veneered trunk with triangular top over visible tube and inset with a two-piece ivory scale calibrated in barometric inches 27-31 to the right-hand side opposing the usual observations over signature W. Ure, Glasgow to the left, the base with hinged box cover enclosing the tube bulb cistern.
100cm (39.5cm) high, 7.5cm (3ins) wide.
Provenance:
The Dr. Castle Collection of barometers and other weather instruments. Purchased from W. Stockbridge and Sons Limited, Cambridge, 19th June 1976 for £145.
William Ure is recorded in Banfield, Edwin BAROMETER MAKERS AND RETAILERS 1660-1900 as working from 15 Deanside Lane, Glasgow 1812-20, and 40 Stockwell, Glasgow 1819-20.
Condition Report:
IVORY LICENCE REF - 9XB7M5F4
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1,200 - 1,800 GBP
A FINE AND RARE GEORGE III INLAID MAHOGANY MERCURY WHEEL BAROMETER
WHITEHURST, DERBY, CIRCA 1790
The 10 inch circular silvered register calibrated in barometric inches 29-31 divided into hundredths to outer track, the centre signed Whitehurst, DERBY within inner track annotated FAIR, CHANGEABLE, RAIN , with steel hand and a pierced recording pointer set behind convex glazed cast brass cavetto moulded bezel and fitted with recording adjustment knob to right hand side, the arch-top case decorated with a with fan-inlaid roundel over recessed silvered Fahrenheit scale alcohol thermometer set within generous glazed moulded surround surmounted by fan lunette inlay, with a larger conforming lunette beneath within a geometric parquetry strung border, the rounded base with further parquetry fan lunette and strung border.
101.5cm (40ins) high, 30.5cm (12ins) wide.
Provenance:
The Dr. Castle Collection of barometers and other weather instruments. Purchased at Christie's, London sale 500 Years: Decorative Arts, Europe 23rd September 2010 (lot 144) for £3,881.25.
John Whitehurst (I) was born in Congleton, Cheshire in 1713, he was apprenticed as a clockmaker to his father (of the same name) before setting up business in Derby in 1736 - the same year he installed a turret clock to the newly completed Guildhall. He was an accomplished maker and scientist who had a particular interest in geology. He moved to London in 1780 in order to take up position at the Royal Mint as 'Stamper of the Money Weights' as well as pursue his scientific interests. He was founder member of the Lunar Society and was elected to the Royal Society in 1783. He died in 1788 leaving the Derby clockmaking business to his nephew also called John (II) who in-turn took his son of the same name (John III) into partnership in 1809. The firm traded as 'Whitehurst & Son' until 1834 when the business reverted to just 'Whitehurst' on the death of John (II). The business continued under the Whitehurst name until the death of John (III) in 1855 when it was sold to Roskell of Liverpool who subsequently wound-up operations in 1862. However, a former employee, John Smith, resurrected the business which is still trading today as 'Smith of Derby'.
John Whitehurst (I) is known for his distinctive design of angle barometer, an example of which was sold in these rooms in the THE BANFIELD COLLECTION OF BAROMETERS 4 th September 2007 (lot 125) for £8,000 hammer. His son was one of the first to make wheel barometers, with his earliest models constructed with a Classical column forming the upright above the dial (see Goodison, Nicholas ENGLISH BAROMETERS 1680-1860 page 284, Plate 193).
Condition Report:
Barometer is generally in good original untouched condition. There is currently no siphon tube fitted (hence is not in working order) however the pulley assembly and recording pointer mechanism are present and in working order. The dial is in fine condition with slight oxidation/mellowing to the silvering only; the glass has probably been reset as the plaster which secures it to the bezel appears relatively fresh. The thermometer is in fine original working condition. The case is essentially untouched retaining fine old surface. The only notable faults are two vertical shrinkage cracks (from movement within the carcass) to each side the lower (drop) section and a small veneer patch repair to the lower edge. Otherwise faults are very much limited to minor age-related bumps, scuffs and minor shrinkage.
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A GEORGE III INLAID MAHOGANY MERCURY WHEEL BAROMETER
I. POLTI, HULL, EARLY CIRCA 1800
The 8 inch rosette leafy floral spray decorated circular silvered register signed I. POLTI, HULL within concentric scale divided in barometric inches and annotated with the usual observations, with steel pointer set behind glazed cavetto moulded brass bezel with a brass recording pointer applied to the glass, the chevron edged case with circular fan rosette to the open triangular pediment over arched glazed silvered Fahrenheit scale spirit thermometer and twin oval conch shell motifs to the baluster-shaped trunk, the rounded base further inlaid with conforming fan rosette.
99cm (39ins) high, 25cm (9.75ins) wide.
Provenance:
The Dr. Castle Collection of barometers and other weather instruments. Purchased from Christopher Sykes Antiques, Woburn, June 27th 1983 for £330.
I. Polti is recorded in Banfield, Edwin BAROMETER MAKERS & RETAILERS 1660-1900 as working in Hull circa 1780-1800.
Condition Report:
Tube is filled and currently plugged for transport. The dial/register is in fine condition with good even slightly mellow colour to the silvering. The thermometer is in fine working condition with silvering matching the dial. The case is I very good original condition with faults very much limited to monor veneer shrinkage and a few minor historic bumps and scuffs.
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Y A GEORGE III CHEVRON-BANDED MAHOGANY MERCURY STICK BAROMETER
SNELLING, ALTON, CIRCA 1800
The case with open triangular pediment above rectangular chevron-edged glazed mahogany door incorporating concave lower corners, enclosing silvered Vernier scale calibrated in barometric inches to right-hand side opposing the usual observations to the left beneath signature Snelling, ALTON to upper margin, with visible tube to the chevron banded caddy moulded trunk over domed circular cistern cover to the rounded base.
96.5cm (38ins) high, 15cm (5.5ins) wide.
Provenance:
The Dr. Castle Collection of barometers and other weather instruments. Purchased at Dickens Fine Art Auctioneers, Middle Claydon, sale of the THE RICHARD COOKSON COLLECTION 20 th April 2008 (lot 59) for £1,350 hammer.
James Snelling is recorded in Banfield, Edwin BAROMETER MAKERS AND RETAILERS 1660-1900 as a clock and watchmaker and silversmith working from High Street, Alton, Hampshire, 1793-1830.
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Estimate
1,200 - 1,800 GBP
Y A GEORGE III MAHOGANY MERCURY STICK BAROMETER
ADAMS, LONDON, CIRCA 1790
The arched case with ebony-edged glazed mahogany door enclosing arched silvered Vernier scale calibrated in barometric inches and with the usual observations beneath signature Adams, Fleet Street, LONDON to the right-hand side, opposing mercury tube Fahrenheit scale thermometer to the left, with visible tube to the ebony banded caddy moulded trunk over hemispherical cistern cover incorporating level adjustment screw to underside.
94.5cm (37.75ins) high, 12cm (4.75ins) wide.
Provenance:
The Dr. Castle Collection of barometers and other weather instruments.
George Adams junior is recorded in Banfield, Edwin BAROMETER MAKERS AND RETAILERS 1660-1900 as being apprenticed to his father (also called George) in 1765 and taking over the family business at 60 Fleet Street, London on his father's death in 1773. He continued in his father's tradition of producing outstanding instruments and became instrument maker to George III and optician to the Prince of Wales. He died in 1795 leaving the business to his younger brother, Dudley, who operated until his death in 1826. Further information regarding the Adams family and their work can be found in Goodison, Nicholas ENGLISH BAROMETERS 1680-1860 pages 116-129.
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A FINE GEORGE II/III MAHOGANY MERCURY STICK BAROMETER WITH LARGE SCALE THERMOMETER
JOHN BENNETT, LONDON, MID 18th CENTURY
The break-arch case with central brass Classical bust finial over cavetto cornice and hinged brass-framed arch glazed door enclosing silvered Vernier scale calibrated in barometric inches to right hand side opposing the usual observations to the left beneath signature Bennett, LONDON to upper section, the caddy moulded trunk applied with a tall shaped-top silvered Fahrenheit Scale alcohol thermometer incorporating drilled brass shield to the bulb and with annotations ranging from Extreme Cold to Extreme Hot , over rounded base applied with a hemispherical cistern cover and incorporating level adjustment screw to underside.
101cm (39.5ins) high overall 16.5cm (6.5ins) wide.
Provenance:
The Dr. Castle Collection of barometers and other weather instruments. Purchased at Sotheby's, London sale of Important Clocks, Watches & Wristwatches 14 th December 2006 (lot 7) for £4,322.50.
John Bennett (III) is recorded in Clifton, Gloria Directory of British Scientific Instrument Makers 1550-1851 as gaining his Freedom of the Clockmakers' Company in 1733, and working from Hatton Wall, London, until 1746, when he relocated to Old Bailey before finally moving to Fleet Street in 1751. Nicholas Goodison in ENGLISH BAROMETERS 1680-1860 notes that John Bennett worked up until 1768 and illustrates an undated trade card indicating that he was located at 'The Globe, Crown Court, between St. Ann's, Soho, and Golden Square'. Bennett was a fine maker who held warrants to three members of the Royal Family and most likely had a working relationship with the eminent scientific instrument maker Jonathan Sisson.
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A FINE AND RARE GEORGE II YEW AND WALNUT MERCURY ANGLE BAROMETER
CHARLES ORME, ASHBY DE LA ZOUCHE, CIRCA 1740
The long angled silvered scale with six principal units presumably representing extended barometric inches each divided into eighths, and annotated with Stormy, Much RAIN, Rain, CHAN'G'BLE, Fair, VERY FAIR, Gr't Draut observations/predictions, beneath sliding brass recording pointer applied to the silvered upper plate engraved Made by CHARLERS ORME of Ashby De La Zouch and with additional inscription Repair'd by John Stenson, Derby 1786 to the far right-hand end, within caddy moulded surround incorporating rounded end and capped with a slender cross grain walnut ogee-moulded cornice, the trunk also caddy moulded and fronted with figured yew veneer within triple-line edged crossbanded surround, over decorative half-ovoid turned cistern cover incorporating ball finial and pendant applied to the rounded base.
91.5cm (36ins) high overall, 70cm (27.5ins) wide.
Provenance:
The Dr. Castle Collection of barometers and other weather instruments. Purchased at Bonhams, London sale of FINE CLOCKS 29 th June 2017 (lot 55) for £7,150.
Charles Orme is recorded in Goodison, Nicholas ENGLISH BAROMETERS 1680-1860 as the sixth son of Thomas Orme, a rector from Garesdon, Wiltshire who had relocated to Ashby De-La-Zouch prior to his death in 1715. Otherwise little appears to be known of Charles Orme's life other than his death in January 1747. It would appear that Charles Orme only made angle barometers, and is perhaps best known for developing the multiple tube angle barometer. Orme is also credited for introducing into England the practice of distilling and boiling mercury in order to remove impurities. Goodison illustrates a very similar instrument to the present lot on page 195 (Plate 130).
John Stenson is recorded in Banfield, Edwin BAROMETER MAKERS AND RETAILERS 1660-1900 as working in Derby in 1782. Banfield notes a Daniel Quare ivory portable pillar barometer bearing a similar repair inscription by Stenson, as well as a pamphlet advertising his services dating to 1782. Other sources record John Stenson's dates as 1747-1817.
Condition Report:
Instrument retains what appears to be its original tube and possibly original cistern also, however the mercury has been drained so that it is now empty. Due to no mercury being present we cannot offer any assurances as to the serviceability of the cistern however on visual inspection it appears to be in good order. The scale is in fine original condition with slight mellowing and minor spotting to the finish only; the recording pointer is present and in good condition. The case is generally in very good condition with faults essentially limited to slight but noticeable lifting/movement to the sections of cross grain veneers and mouldings throughout. The cistern cover appears original with the upper half lifting-off - both the upper and lower 'ball' half finials have at some time been broken-off and re-attached. Faults to the case are otherwise limited to minor historic bumps, scuffs and other blemishes commensurate with age. The surface is reasonably good but would perhaps benefit from a little attention form a finisher to revive.
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A RARE GEORGE III MAHOGANY CASED MERCURY AMONTONS-TYPE MULTI-TUBE BAROMETER
BABTIST RONCHETTI, MANCHESTER, LATE 18 th CENTURY
The break-arch wooden scales with stamped arched signature BAPTIST RONCHETTI FECIT and star motif above large spirit Fahrenheit scale spirit TERMOMETER to the left-hand side with readings ranging from 20 to 110 and annotations from FREEZING to SUMMER HEAT , set next to the BAROMETER with continuous tube formed with four columns, the first on the left having sealed bulb over mercury linked at the top to a second filled with oil, which in-turn is connected at the base to another filled with mercury looped at the bottom to the fourth, originally topped with oil for providing the level for reading against a scale calibrated for 0-16 inches divided into sixths and annotated with weather observations ranging from VERY DRY to STORMY , set behind a hinged glazed full height front panel with ogee moulded frame and three small brass finials.
61cm (24ins) high, 14.5cm (5.75ins) wide.
Provenance:
The Dr. Castle Collection of barometers and other weather instruments.
Baptista Ronchetti is recorded in Banfield, Edwin BAROMETER MAKERS & RETAILERS 1660-1900 as working from 15 High Street, Manchester 1785-circa 1810. He arrived in Manchester in 1785 from Tavernerio near Lake Como, Italy and sent for his son, Charles Joshua and nephew, Lewis Casartelli from Italy who joined him in partnership for a while before going their separate ways.
The concept behind this barometer is to make the instrument more portable by reducing its size. In 1688 a Frenchman, Guillaume Amontons, published a design for a multiple tube barometer where the mercury column had been split into two, placed side by side and linked by a column of a lighter fluid, thus allowing the instrument to be half the size of a conventional mercury stick barometer. Amontons version used the junction of two separate coloured oils (one lighter than the other) moving against a scale behind the linking column to indicate barometric pressure. The current instrument utilises a second column of oil above the second bulb cistern to give a reading. This scale, as with full-height double tube barometers, reads in reverse and amplifies the barometric range by around a factor of five.
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Y A WILLIAM IV ROSEWOOD CASED SYMPIESOMETER
DOLLOND, LONDON, CIRCA 1830
The glazed rectangular case with concave upstand and cavetto cornice to pediment above rectangular silvered scale inscribed Improved Sympiesometer nest to the applied central siphon tube filled with pink-stained oil incorporating low cistern bulb to the left limb beside tube terminating with a further sealed bulb at the top, the left hand margin with mercury tube Fahrenheit scale thermometer, opposing vertical scale for degrees Fahrenheit ranging between 10 and 110 set behind slide with scale annotated for barometric inches 27-31 and with the usual weather observations to the right, the upper edge of the slide fitted with angled brass pointer for calibration against the temperature scale behind and with rack-and-pinion screw adjustment via a brass knob to the exterior of the case, the lower edge with recessed circular level recording disc labelled Register , engraved with barometric scale visible through an arched aperture in the plate and manually adjusted via projecting rim to the left hand side of the case, the lower margin signed DOLLOND, LONDON .
59cm (23ins) high, 7.5cm (3ins) wide.
Provenance:
The Dr. Castle Collection of barometers and other weather instruments. Purchased at Bonhams, London sale of FINE CLOCKS Wednesday 7 th July 2016 (lot 7) for £1,820.
Peter Dollond is recorded in Banfield, Edwin BAROMETER MAKERS AND RETAILERS 1680-1860 as born 1730 and died 1820. He was the son of John Dollond, a Huguenot silk weaver and started business as an optician in 1750. He was joined by his father in 1752 until his death in 1761, and then by his brother, John, until his death in 1804. The family business was continued by Peter Dollond's nephew, George Huggins, who changed his surname to Dollond. George Dollond became instrument maker to William IV and Queen Victoria, exhibited at the Great Exhibition in 1851 and died 1856. The firm became one of the largest makers and suppliers of scientific and optical instruments and continued trading under various guises throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.
The sympiesometer was invented by Alexander Adie of Edinburgh in 1818 and is essentially an improved version of Robert Hooke's thermobarometer which was subject of a paper presented to the Royal Society in 1668. The instrument works by having a syphon tube filled with liquid open to the air at one end and with trapped gas at the other (sulphuric acid and hydrogen were used in later sympiesometers). As barometric pressure increases the liquid will be forced down the tube causing the gas to be compressed, resulting in a change in level in the tube; however the volume of the gas changes with temperature so before a reliable reading can be taken the instrument would first need to be calibrated by adjusting the position of the movable barometer scale in relation to the temperature scale behind to reflect the reading provided by the thermometer. The sympiesometer was conceived by Adie as an alternative to the mercury marine barometer as it was smaller and believed to be less susceptible to the motion of a vessel at sea.
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A VICTORIAN MAHOGANY CASED STORM GLASS
T.W. WATSON, LONDON, CIRCA 1880
The shallow arch white-opaque glass panel applied with a central cylindrical glass cannister filled with fluid, the upper margin inscribed T.W. WATSON, 4. PALL MALL, London over Storm, Glass and two columns of various INDICATIONS titled FOR FINE WEATHER opposing FOR RAIN , then HIGH WINDS, OR STORM and finally additional appearances for various polar currents to lower section, the bottom margin inscribed REGISTERED, 351867 set with a shallow-arched cross-grain moulded mahogany surround.
52cm (20.5ins) high, 20.5cm (8ins) wide.
Provenance:
The Dr. Castle Collection of barometers and other weather instruments. Purchased at Dickens Fine Art Auctioneers, Middle Claydon, sale of the THE RICHARD COOKSON COLLECTION 20 th April 2008 (lot 78) for £440 hammer.
Thomas William Watson is recorded in Banfield, Edwin BAROMETER MAKERS & RETAILERS 1660-1900 as an optical, philosophical and mathematical instrument maker working from 4 Pall Mall, London 1878-84.
The origins of this type of Storm Glass are unknown with Admiral Fitzroy in his 1863 publication The Weather Book noting that 'the inventor is now uncertain; but they were sold on old London Bridge, at the sign of the Goat and Compasses '. He studied them as curiosities and suggested that they served to indicate what he termed 'electrical tension' in the wind, hence were potentially useful as meteorological instruments. Edwin Banfield in BAROMETERS, Stick or Cistern Tube adds that such instruments are really an irregular form of thermometric barometer, and goes on to list the recipe for the contents of the tube which contains water, alcohol, ammonium chloride, potassium nitrate and camphor. The solution, once prepared, would then exhibit changes in the form of cloudiness, crystal formation etc. signifying atmospheric conditions as per the indications listed on the panel.
Condition Report:
Tube is filled with fluid. The glass panel has an edge chip at the centre of the lower margin otherwise is in fine condition with overall light wear to the annotations only. The case is in fine original condition with faults limited to slight shrinkage and other age-related blemishes; the rear panel has replacement securing screws.
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Y A VICTORIAN CASED SET OF GILT BRASS ANEROID POCKET BAROMETER WITH A COMPASS AND A THERMOMETER
NEGRETTI AND ZAMBRA, LONDON, LATE 19 th CENTURY
The 1.75 inch circular silvered register inscribed NEGRETTI & ZAMBRA, LONDON, 19510 beneath Compensated and with blued steel pointer to centre within concentric scale calibrated for barometric inches 25-31 divided down to twentieths of an inch and with the usual observations, within outer 0-6,000 altimeter scale divided into fifty foot intervals, the frosted gilt brass case with recording pointer applied to the inside of the knurled rotating glazed bezel beneath suspension post fitted with a ring, set beside a conforming compass with engraved rose and signed NEGRETTI & ZAMBRA, LONDON to the recessed centre divided N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W and NW within a raised outer scale divided for degrees numbered for every ten, beneath needle-locking plunger to the suspension post, the green velvet-lined D-ended folding case also inset with an ivory scale mercury tube Fahrenheit and Reaumur scale thermometer inscribed NEGRETTI & ZAMBRA to lid incorporating embossed gilt crown trademark to the velvet, the exterior covered in iron-red Morocco leather gilt inscribed E.E.P. to the domed lid within a tooled border.
The compass and barometer each 4.8cm (1.875ins) diameter; the leather case 13.5cm (5.25ins) wide, 9cm (3.5ins) deep, 3.5cm (1.375ins) high closed.
Provenance:
Gifted by Elizabeth Palmer (Huntley and Palmer) to the vendor.
The firm of Negretti & Zambra are recorded in Banfield, Edwin BAROMETER MAKERS AND RETAILERS 1660-1900 as being established in 1850 when a partnership between Enrico Negretti and Joseph Warren Zambra was formed. The firm became one of the most prolific makers of scientific instruments and continued trading well into the 20th century.
Condition Report:
IVORY LICENCE REF - ZTP65TZ9
Barometer needle did move when bag tested suggesting the vacuum chamber is sound however the reading provided does not reflect barometric pressure hence attention to mechanism is required. The silvering is in fine condition with negligeable discolouration. Barometer case retains original finish albeit with notable discolouration to circumference band, a spot to the rear cover and the suspension post/ring. Compass is working and scales are in good condition with almost no discolouration. Gilt brass case has similar patchy discolouration/tarnishing as the barometer. Thermometer is in fine condition. Travelling case has wear and overall aging/discolouration to the exterior surface and the interior of the lid around the clasp hook. The velvet lining is in fine condition.
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A RARE WWII ROYAL NAVY ISSUE SUBMARINE COMPARTMENT DOUBLE-ROTATION AIR PRESSURE GAUGE
T. WHEELER, LONDON, CIRCA 1945
The long-range mechanism incorporating 3 inch diameter capsule with Wheeler pattern recuperation spring, twin bronze shrouded recoil hairsprings and bimetallic temperature compensation to the primary lever, the 4 inch circular silvered dial inscribed COMPENSATED, No. 7840/45, MARK I, T. WHEELER, Scientific Inst's LTD, LONDON to centre within two concentric scales calibrated in MILLIBARS , 400-700 and 700- 1050 divided into two millibar increments, with black finish steel pointer within canted silvered surround set behind a glazed knurled brass bezel configured to allow the dial to be manually rotated, fitted to the cylindrical aluminium alloy case incorporating moulded collar behind the bezel and brass backplate.
12cm (4.75ins) diameter overall, 5cm (2ins) deep.
Thomas Wheeler is recorded in Banfield, Edwin BAROMETER MAKERS & RETAILERS 1660-1900 as established at 8 Coombs Road, London by 1893. The firm is further recorded in Grace's Guide as working from 217 Goswell Road, London in 1937. The firm of T. Wheeler were awarded many contracts from the M.O.D. during both wars including altimeters for early aircraft use.
Mark Jarrold notes (in his description of instrument No. 7343) that such gauges are designed to mostly operate in an environment with a lower-than-normal atmospheric pressure, which would suggest submarine use. Adding that the monitoring of air pressure within a diesel-powered submarine running submerged via snorkel induction was particularly important to check that air was not being drawn from within the boat due to an obstruction within the snorkel. The manual rotation of the dial also facilitates quick calibration of the instrument which was probably often required in the high-vibration environment of a submarine.
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A RARE FRENCH COMBINED ANEROID BAROMETER AND TIMEPIECE COMPENDIUM
E. BOURDON AND RICHARD, PARIS, CIRCA 1875
The circular eight-day single train timepiece movement with silvered platform lever escapement vertically planted on the backplate engraved with a regulation scale and stamped RICHARD, A PARIS over serial number 237 to left hand margin, the backplate also applied with a cocked gear for driving the centre arbor for the concentric-scale barometer hand, engaging with a delicate curved toothed rack pivoted beneath a shaped bridge and connected via a crank to the opposing ends of a curved Bourdon-type elliptical section aneroid pressure-sensing chamber enveloping the movement and secured to rear of the dial via a bracket at the apex, the lower rear edge of the dial plate further stamped with FR monogram roundel over 7180 and RICHARD, A PARIS , the circular two piece white enamel dial with recessed 3.5 inch Roman numeral centre and blued steel moon hands set within outer scale calibrated in barometric inches and annotated with the usual observations in German, the lower margin inscribed METALL, BAROMETER between E BOURDON, ET RICHARD, BREVETTE'S, PARIS, GOLDENE MEDAILLIE, DER AUST'NE 1849 and a second obscured/incomplete medallion, the cylindrical case with bevel-glazed hinged bezel fitted with a barometer recording pointer to the glass opposing conforming push-fit glazed bezel to rear, beneath suspension ring pivoted within a ball-shaped post to top; cradled in original dark blue velvet-lined Morocco covered travelling case with hinged brass carrying handle to the arched-top and removable dial shutter panel to front.
The timepiece 15cm (6ins) diameter, 7.5cm (3ins) deep, and 17cm (6.75ins) high with handle down; the case 22cm (8.5ins) high with handle down, 17cm (6.75ins) wide, 10cm (4ins) deep.
The firm Freres Richard is noted in Banfield, Edwin Antique Barometers, an illustrated survey as being founded in Paris in 1858. Although they were predominantly clockmakers Richard Freres produced barometers for the engineer and inventor Eugene Bourdin who had devised a design of aneroid barometer alongside Lucien Vidie. Both Bourdon and Vidie exhibited Aneroid Barometers at the Great Exhibition of 1851; Vidie subsequently sued Bourdon for the infringement of his Patent. Vidie initially lost the case but was granted an award of 10,000 francs on appeal in 1861 by which time his patent had expired.
The present lot is a fairly rare model with only around 500-600 believed to have been made by Richard, and benefits from retaining its original travelling case in fine condition.
Condition Report:
REPORT UPDATED 12/02/2025
The timepiece movement is in relatively clean working condition and appears free form any visible alteration or noticeable replacements, a precautionary gentle clean/service may be advisabele. The barometer mechanism also appears to be in good condition and will respond to change in pressure when 'bag tested'. The Bourdon tube however is a replacement so no assurances as to the accuracy of the barometer can be provided. The timepiece dial is in very good condition with no visible damage other than a couple of light surface scratches. The outer concentric barometer scale however has a filled loss/chipping to the lower edge causing the right-hand medallion to be mostly missing; there are also numerous less visible hairline cracks to the barometer ring. The case is in fine condition with minimal blemishes/discolour to the lacquer finish. The outer leather travelling case is also in fine condition with only minimal wear to the interior linings and some very slight wear/scratching to the exterior.
Timepiece is complete with a winding key.
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AN EDWARDIAN MAHOGANY CASED BAROGRAPH
RETAILED BY WILSON WARDEN AND COMPANY LIMITED, LONDON, EARLY 20 th CENTURY
The mechanism with seven-segment aneroid chamber connected via a lacquered brass armature to an inked pointer for recording the change in barometric pressure on a clockwork-driven rotating paper scale lined drum, the baseplate stamped WILSON WARDEN & Co. LTD, LONDON over SM monogram for Short and Mason and No. 3847/42/58 , the rectangular case with hinged brass carrying handle to the hinged cover incorporating pointer depressing button to top over front and left-hand side glasses, the base with pull-out slide for a spare pointer to right hand end over pad feet with pointer engagement lever to front lower edge between.
21cm (8.25ins) high with handle down, 31cm (12.25ins) wide, 16.5cm (6.5ins) deep.
Wilson Warden and Company are recorded in Banfield, Edwin BAROMETER MAKERS AND RETAILERS 1660-1900 as working in London circa 1880-1900. They are also recorded in the online records of Grace's Guide as working from 28-30 Pear Tree Street, Goswell Road, London, EC1 and exhibited at the 1929 British Industries Fair (stand no. J24) where they are described as 'Manufacturers of Aneroid Barometers (Pendant, Nautical and Surveying types), Barographs, Thermographs, Hydrographs, Recording, and Scientific Instruments. Wood Cases for Timepieces, Grandfather and Grandmother, chiming and striking clocks of every description'.
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A RARE MAHOGANY CASED COMBINED BAROGRAPH AND THERMOGRAPH OR STORMOGRAPH
RETAILED BY G. PRESCOTT, BELFAST, SECOND QUARTER OF THE 20 th CENTURY
The barograph mechanism with eight-segment aneroid chamber connected via a silvered brass armature to an inked pointer for recording the change in barometric pressure on a clockwork-driven rotating paper scale lined drum, the thermograph with coiled bimetallic strip mounted within the same armature operating a second inked pointer, the armature stamped REG. No. 476369 and the silvered collar around the right-hand of two ink bottles engraved G. PRESCOTT, OPTICIAN, BELFAST , the case with bevel-glazed five-panel cover over ogee moulded skirt base applied with silver presentation plate engraved TO MR. J.D. CAMPBELL, FROM THE PUPILS & TEACHERS OF, MOSSLEY P.E. SCHOOL to front, above an apron drawer for spare charts, on disc feet.
23cm (9ins) high, 36cm (14.25ins) wide, 21.5cm (8.75ns) deep.
G. Prescott of Belfast does not appear to be recorded in the usual sources, however A firm with the name George Prescott is recorded in Banfield, Edwin BAROMETER MAKERS AND RETAILERS 1660-1900 as working from various addresses in Dublin from 1879 until after 1901. It is therefore probably likely that the suppliers of the present lot were a branch of this firm operating out of Belfast during the early 20 th century. The present lot was probably supplied to G. Prescott by Short and Mason who developed such instruments in collaboration with Taylor Instrument Companies Limited during the inter-war period. Products of this collaboration were mostly sold under the 'Tycos' brand.
Condition Report:
Timepiece movement is in working condition however a gentle clean/service is probably advisable. The aneroid mechanism will respond to change in pressure (has been carefully bag-tested) hence the bellows appear sound. The thermograph also responds to change in temperature hence also is in working order. The mechanism retain silvered finish with minimal wear but with overall patchy oxidation and some micro-bubbling to the baseplate plating. The ink bottle is stained but appears undamaged. The case is in good original condition with faults very much limited to minor bumps, scuffs and other age-rleated blemishes.
Instrument is complete with winder for the clockwork mechanism and a quantity of spare charts.
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Ɵ BETTS, JONATHAN
MARINE CHRONOMETERS AT GREENWICH...
A Catalogue of Marine Chronometers at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich Oxford University Press and the National Maritime Museum, Oxford and London 2017, with errata sheet, dj and gold coloured card slipcase.
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A VICTORIAN TWO-DAY MARINE CHRONOMETER IN A BRASS-BOUND MAHOGANY BOX
WILLIAM CONNELL, LONDON, CIRCA 1860
The circular four pillar reverse fusee movement with six spoke wheel crossings, Harrison's maintaining power, jewelled pivots for the escapewheel, Earnshaw type detent escapement regulated by split bimetallic balance with cylindrical compensation weights, paired timing screws, helical balance spring and faceted diamond endstone, the backplate with blued steel pawl for the spring set-up ratchet and pillar screws, the 3.5 inch circular silvered Roman numeral dial with subsidiary seconds dial engraved with serial number 660 to centre beneath signature WILIAM CONNELL, Maker to the Royal Navy, CHEAPSIDE, LONDON across the centre and DOWN/UP, 0-56 power reserve dial at twelve o'clock, with gilt moon hands and secured by a screw-down bezel into a lacquered brass bowl repeat stamped with serial number 660 to interior and with shuttered winding hole to underside, the chronometer now cradled in a turned-wood insert resting within the lower tier of a brass reinforced mahogany three-tier box with shaped inset brass corner caps to top tier, strap reinforcements to middle and lower tiers, and flush hinged handles to the sides, (lacking escapement detent spring, spring set-up ratchet wheel, subsidiary hands and gimbals).
The box 15cm (6ins) high, 14.5cm (5.75ins) square.
William Connell is recorded in Loomes, Brian Watchmakers and Clockmakers of the World, Volume 2 as apprenticed in 1817 and working 1839-69. A William George Connell is also recorded by Loomes as working circa 1881 and an archive of account and stock books dating 1847-1902 in the name of this maker can be found in the National Archives at Kew (ref. CLC/B/057). A William Connell two-day marine chronometer, numbered 662, was sold at Bonhams, Knightsbridge sale of Clocks, Watches & Barometers 19 th May 2009 (lot 230) for £2,400.
Condition Report:
As catalogued the movement is missing spring set-up ratchet wheel as well as the escapement detent spring - hence is not in working order (fusee chain present but detached). We cannot establish whether the mainspring is sound (due to the missing set-up ratchet wheel) however it would appear that the fusee chain came loose as there is some slight witness marks to the adjacent movement pillar suggesting chain has rubbed against it. The movement otherwise appears to be in good clean condition with no visible evidence of other damage, alteration or notable losses. As catalogued the dial is missing hands for the subsidiary up/down and seconds dials. The minute hand is missing its tip and the subsidiary seconds dial has slight concentric ring stain to the centre. Otherwise dial is in good original condition albeit with overall patchy tarnishing/oxidation to the surface. The bowl/bezel has discolouration/tarnishing as well as a few light surface scuffs and bumps - most notably a small dent next to a threaded hole for a gimbal pivot bracket, but generally in good original condition. There are no gimbal fittings present. The box has a shrinkage crack across the width top surface near the front edge as well as another lesser one to the rear. There is further light cracking to the left-hand side towards the lower rear corner and across the centre of the baseboard. Internally there is a small inset repair to the lower tier back panel at the point the right-hand hinge is secured; there is also some corresponding consolidated cracking to the middle tier above. The middle tier is lacking its glass (including retaining slip mouldings) and the clasp mechanism has been renewed (as has the lock in the lower tier), otherwise box is in good original condition with faults limited to relatively light age related bumps, scuffs, scratches etc. The wooden insert is not fixed to the box in anyway.
There is a key for the box present but no winder.
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Confirming your bid is a legally binding obligation to purchase and pay for the lot should your bid be successful.