TWO CASED ANEROID BAROMETER, COMPASS AND THERMOMETER COMPENDIUMS

TWO CASED ANEROID BAROMETER, COMPASS AND THERMOMETER COMPENDIUMSOne by J. Hicks, London, late 19th centuryThe first with 1.25 inch circular silvered register signed J. HICKS, MAKER, LONDON, 9143 and inscribed Compensated within concentric scale calibrated for barometric inches divided into twentieths and annotated with basic weather observations within outer altimeter scale calibrated in feet from 0 to 10,000 and divided for 100 foot intervals, the gilt pocket watch type case with suspension ring and rotating bezel with recording pointer to inside of glass, set in a silk lined morocco pair-shaped case inset with conforming small silvered dial compass opposing ivory scale Fahrenheit and Centigrade scale mercury tube thermometer to the inside of each of the two hinged front cover sections; the second with silvered plate measuring 2.75 by 4.25 inches fitted with glazed Bourdon pattern aneroid barometer with open centre within 1.5inch concentric barometric and rotating altimeter scales similarly calibrated and stamped MADE IN FRANCE set beside a conforming compass with recessed gilt on blued metal rose within scale calibrated for degrees, the upper edge of the plate applied with a FAHRENHEIT and CENTIGRADE scale mercury tube thermometer and the lower edge inscribed PRECISION INSTRUMENT CASE, (2).The first 9cm (3.5ins) high by 7.5cm (3ins) wide (closed), the second 7.5cm (3ins) high by 11.5cm (4.5ins) wide. James Joseph Hicks is recorded in Banfield, Edwin BAROMETER MAKERS AND RETAILERS 1660-1900 as working from Hatton Garden, London from 1861 until after 1900. He was a committed Catholic who presented various meteorological instruments to the Vatican receiving the title Knight Commander of St. Gregory in recognition for his services.Condition Report: The first (Hicks) has been 'bag tested' and the barometer mechanism responded to change in pressure. The dial has some very slight discolouration to the silvering and the case has discolouration and wear to the bezel. The outer edge and rear cover retain much of their original finish in 'fresh' condition albeit with some oxidation towards the margins and two slight areas of rubbing to the rear. The compass is in very similar condition; the thermometer has a broken tube but the scale is in good condition. The interior lining of the case is worn/discoloured but generally intact. the exterior has some staining and wear but the hinges are intact and the case clasp is present and operational.The barometer in the second compendium also responds positively to being 'bag tested'. The silvered scale has some noticeable tarnishing to the silvered scale particularly towards the outer edge. The compass scale is in similar condition and object is generally in dirty/neglected condition with overall spotting, discolouration and light wear to the silvered finishes. The thermometer tube is intact and in good condition. The silk lining to the lid of the case is faded and frayed along the rear edge. The hinge is present but the lid is not currently attached although the structure (rear rail) of the lid is intact hence re-attachment should be relatively straightforward. The exterior leather covering of the case is a little faded and has small loss which matches the size of the leaf of the hinge where it attaches to the lid otherwise is in good condition with only minor wear. Condition Report Disclaimer