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VICTORIAN ANGLE BAROMETER BY CHARLES HOWORTH Circa 1840
Signed on the paper scales "Charles Howorth - Fecit - Halifax". Burled mahogany frame in the form of a pendulum with a demilune crest at top. Mounted with double inclined tubes. Two sets of paper scales measuring 0-50 and indicating "Dry to Stormy"; indicators on a wire slider. Two exposed siphon tubes with bulb cisterns. Height 39.5". Width 27.5".
The angle barometer's invention is obscure, but resulted from the knowledge that in a straight barometer tube the mercury moves only a short distance. If the tube is bent just below the lowest point to which the mercury can fall, and then extended at an angle, the mercury will move over a far greater distance. Traditionally, the invention was attributed to Sir Samuel Morland (1625-1696), "Master Mechanic" to England's King Charles II. The earliest reference occurs in 1684 in the "Transactions of the Philosophical Society of Oxford" for an instrument made by a "Mr. Walker". Angle barometers continued to be made throughout the 17th and 18th Centuries, but they were rarely produced in the 19th Century. This instrument maker, Charles Howorth, was British and flourished 1823-1852.

From the Kelton Collection of Marine Art & Artifacts.

Signed on the paper scales "Charles Howorth - Fecit - Halifax". Burled mahogany frame in the form of a pendulum with a demilune crest at top. Mounted with double inclined tubes. Two sets of paper scales measuring 0-50 and indicating "Dry to Stormy"; indicators on a wire slider. Two exposed siphon tubes with bulb cisterns. Height 39.5". Width 27.5".
The angle barometer's invention is obscure, but resulted from the knowledge that in a straight barometer tube the mercury moves only a short distance. If the tube is bent just below the lowest point to which the mercury can fall, and then extended at an angle, the mercury will move over a far greater distance. Traditionally, the invention was attributed to Sir Samuel Morland (1625-1696), "Master Mechanic" to England's King Charles II. The earliest reference occurs in 1684 in the "Transactions of the Philosophical Society of Oxford" for an instrument made by a "Mr. Walker". Angle barometers continued to be made throughout the 17th and 18th Centuries, but they were rarely produced in the 19th Century. This instrument maker, Charles Howorth, was British and flourished 1823-1852.

From the Kelton Collection of Marine Art & Artifacts.
Condition: Overall good condition. the wood, including the vertical support, the arched top, the hub and well covers and the angled arm are all in excellent condition. The tubes appear to be in excellent condition but mercury has dried in the them and they will need to be cleaned. There is no liquid mercury in the barometer. The vertical support is 5" wide and the angle is 6.25" wide. The paper scales have toned with age.

Due to the presence of mercury, special handling is required when shipping this item, subject to additional charges. If needed, Eldred's can assist in making arrangements to drain the mercury and for shipping. Charges to drain mercury typically range from $75 to $100.


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August 13, 2020 10:00 AM EDT
East Dennis, MA, US

Eldred's

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