A George III mahogany angle barometer, by Balthasar Knie, Edinburgh, c.1780, the shaped case with silvered scales, brass tube fixings, and bulb cistern, the Fahrenheit spirit thermometer with silvered scale mounted to trunk, signed Knie EDINr...
A George III mahogany angle barometer, by Balthasar Knie, Edinburgh, c.1780, the shaped case with silvered scales, brass tube fixings, and bulb cistern, the Fahrenheit spirit thermometer with silvered scale mounted to trunk, signed Knie EDINr, note: bulb cistern is not plugged, 92.5cm high ++ Provenance: with MacMillan and Gentle, London, January 1962. Literature: N. Goodison, English Barometers, 1968, p. 160, pls. 93-4. N. Goodison, English Barometers, 2nd edition, 1977, p. 171-3, pls. 108-9. Note: Born in Germany in 1738, Baltazar Knie became the best known barometer maker in Scotland. After years travelling around mainland Europe and Ireland as a jobbing barometer maker, he eventually settled in Edinburgh in 1776. An early advert announced that 'He blows and spins glass before company on the table, and forms many curiosities too tedious to mention. If any of the curious have in mind to see him work, they are heartily welcome, from six to eight in the evening. His stay in the city will be short.' Despite planning a short sojourn, Knie remained in the city for another forty years. Edinburgh at this time housed a strong contingent of both amateur and professional astronomers, scientists, meterologists etc; he was obviously among kindred spirits and they provided a keen clientele. In 1814, he planned to retire and to dispose of his stock of seventy instruments (valued at £309) by way of a lottery. However, it seems that due to lack of support, the idea was abandoned. Knie died in 1817. Sir Nicholas Goodsion notes: This is a typical example of Knie's foreshortened angle barometer. For a full description see Goodison, 1977, pp.171-3. Please note Roseberys do not guarantee the working condition of barometers offered for sale.
This lot contains liquid mercury. If you intend to ship this overseas it is classified as hazardous cargo and will require additional declarations alongside specialist crating/packing. Prior to bidding, please contact your shipper or talk to our specialists for more information.
Please note that this barometer contains mercury.
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A George III mahogany angle barometer, by Balthasar Knie, Edinburgh, c.1780, the shaped case with silvered scales, brass tube fixings, and bulb cistern, the Fahrenheit spirit thermometer with silvered scale mounted to trunk, signed Knie EDINr, note: bulb cistern is not plugged, 92.5cm high ++ Provenance: with MacMillan and Gentle, London, January 1962. Literature: N. Goodison, English Barometers, 1968, p. 160, pls. 93-4. N. Goodison, English Barometers, 2nd edition, 1977, p. 171-3, pls. 108-9. Note: Born in Germany in 1738, Baltazar Knie became the best known barometer maker in Scotland. After years travelling around mainland Europe and Ireland as a jobbing barometer maker, he eventually settled in Edinburgh in 1776. An early advert announced that 'He blows and spins glass before company on the table, and forms many curiosities too tedious to mention. If any of the curious have in mind to see him work, they are heartily welcome, from six to eight in the evening. His stay in the city will be short.' Despite planning a short sojourn, Knie remained in the city for another forty years. Edinburgh at this time housed a strong contingent of both amateur and professional astronomers, scientists, meterologists etc; he was obviously among kindred spirits and they provided a keen clientele. In 1814, he planned to retire and to dispose of his stock of seventy instruments (valued at £309) by way of a lottery. However, it seems that due to lack of support, the idea was abandoned. Knie died in 1817. Sir Nicholas Goodsion notes: This is a typical example of Knie's foreshortened angle barometer. For a full description see Goodison, 1977, pp.171-3. Please note Roseberys do not guarantee the working condition of barometers offered for sale.
This lot contains liquid mercury. If you intend to ship this overseas it is classified as hazardous cargo and will require additional declarations alongside specialist crating/packing. Prior to bidding, please contact your shipper or talk to our specialists for more information.
Please note that this barometer contains mercury.
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