Scientific Instruments

Meteorological: Barometers: Wall and Desk

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Short & Mason patent "Stormoguide" Aneroid barometer in superb Ebonised Walnut Art Deco desk stand. Fully signed 5 ½” silvered dial with Copes working. Patented in 1932. The base is approx. 15cm wide x 7.2cm deep and the instrument stands approx. 23cm tall. A lovely piece in a very unusual case! £225 ($450)

Short & Mason patent "Stormoguide" Aneroid barometer in Bakelite desk stand. 4 ½” signed silvered dial with Copes working. Patented in 1932. The base measures approx. 27cm wide x 8.5cm deep. This model was retailed by John Trotter Ltd of Glasgow & Edinburgh. £195 ($390)

Ex-Meteological Office MKII desk barometer in flame mahogany case by Wilson Warden & Co Ltd. London dated 1944. A very beautiful piece! 5inch silvered dial in superb condition. Very heavy and nicely turned solid flame mahogany base. Stress crack to side as pictured, but not really a surprise in a piece as big as this and it certainly does not detract from the overall beauty. Total width 21cm x 6.5cm deep. £340 ($680)

How does the altimeter work?
Simple! You set the barometric pressure to your current location, then align the altimeter pointer to zero against this. As you start your ascent the barometric pressure will drop, sending the needle in an anticlockwise direction. When you have finished your climb simply look to see where the barometric pressure needle is pointing to, and read off the altitude scale next to it!

Victorian brass cased aneroid barometer by Lewis Dixey, Brighton , 1843-45, son of George Dixey. George and Charles Dixey were twin sons of Edward Dixey, optician to the King. £340 ($680). Diameter 9.5cm.

Lewis Dixey, Mathematical and Philosophical Instrument maker and Optician, worked 1843-45 King’s Road Brighton. His trade card states “Son of Mr. G. Dixey, Optician to the Royal Family, Bond Street, London.”
The Dixey family were a dynasty of important makers and retailers of a wide range of mathematical, optical and philosophical instruments. Lewis’ father, George, worked with his brother Charles in London from 1822-38, and held royal appointments to Geo. IV 1824, Wm.IV 1830, and the Royal Family. George and Charles’ father, Edward, was also an instrument maker and worked from 1805 – 1843 in London.

Victorian brass cased aneroid barometer by 'James Lucking' of Corporation St. Birmingham. 1875-95. £225 ($450). Diameter 12cm.

Aneroid barometer maker. Worked 1875-95 5 Corporation Street, Birmingham

WWII U.S. Navy 'Bureau of Ships' marine barometer by Friez of Baltimore. 4 1/2" silvered dial with scale running from 27.7 to 31.3. Aneroid movement compensated for temperature and with a rack adjustment rather than the fusee chain used in its European counterparts. Original glass and both pointers. Brass case is a little bruised but then it has been through the wars literally! Fine working order and dated 1942. £295 ($590)

Large compensated surveying aneroid barometer by W.F. Stanley of London c.1890.
Aluminium case with silvered dial, compensated for temperature. Scale from 26 to 32. Raised chapter ring with altimeter scale for 6000 feet reading by a rackwork adjustment vernier with rotating magnifier. £595 ($1190)
William Ford Stanley, Mathematical, Optical and Philosophical Instrument maker.Worked 1860-1900+
1860-64 3 Holborne Bars, London
1860-1900+ 3, 4 & 5 Great Turnstile, Holborne, London
1869-91 13 Railway Approach, London Bridge
1872-91 7, 8 & 9 Tichborne Court, London

Speciality barometers, such as this, for surveyors and mining engineers started to emerge from around 1870. They enabled the user to ascertain, without calculation, the height of mountains and the depth of mines.

Pocket / Travelling Barometers