Beschreibung:

A fine George III mahogany mercury stick barometer with hygrometer Edward Nairne, London, late 18th century The caddy moulded arch-top case inset with circular glazed hygrometer with independent adjustment for the hygrometer beard pointer via a brass turn-screw set beneath operating a pair of visible geared wheels fitted to the rear of the instrument, over concave-topped inset silvered vernier scale calibrated in barometric inches to the right hand margin opposing weather observations to the left, the upper margin with engraved signature Nairne, London, the conforming caddy moulded figured mahogany veneered trunk with exposed tube above rounded base applied with half-sphere cistern cover with moulded cylindrical upstand and narrow band to waist, the underside with brass level adjustment screw, 104cm (41ins) high. Edward Nairne was born in 1726 and apprenticed to the celebrated instrument maker, Matthew Loft, in 1741. Latterly he worked from 20 Cornhill and published numerous booklets on navigational, pneumatic and astronomical instruments. In 1776 Nairne devised a marine barometer with a restriction in the bore of the mercury tube which served to dampen the oscillation of the mercury; he was elected to the Royal Society in the same year. In 1774 he formed a loose partnership with his former apprentice Thomas Blunt, perhaps for mutual convenience as Blunt's premises were next door to Nairne's at 22 Cornhill. Edward Nairne is believed to have retired to Chelsea in 1801 and died in 1806. Condition report disclaimer