George III Wheel Barometer by the Globemakers J&w Newton of 66 Chancery Lane London

For sale a George III mahogany wheel barometer engraved to the famous globemakers J&W Newton of 66 Chancery Lane, London.

Comprised of a mahogany veneered body with satinwood inlay around the outer edge and a swan neck pediment with urn finial to the centre. The neck of the case is fitted with a removable wheat beard hygrometer with convex glass front and a twelve inch thermometer case with silvered and engraved Fahrenheit scale and temperature indications.

The main body has a ten inch silvered and engraved dial measuring 28 to 31 inches of barometric pressure, engraved weather indications and star motif to the centre, all completed with a spun brass bezel and convex glass front. Below is an adjuster for moving the brass set hand on the dial and a spirit level with engraved surround stating the globe-making company of J&W Newton, 66 Chancery Lane, London

The Newton’s according to Newton & Co’s late nineteenth century catalogues considered themselves to have had a long and distinguished history dating back to the start of the eighteenth century suggesting that the company founder was a cousin of Sir Isaac Newton. However, through the very long and arduous investigations by both John Millburn & Brian Gee, it is clear that although the family relationship is certainly a close one, the scientific instrument making business began somewhat later.

The origins of the Newton business can sensibly begin with Nathaniel Hill, a self-described “globe maker and engraver” who worked at The Sun & Globe on Chancery Lane from 1746 to 1764 and amongst a number of apprentices took on a Thomas Bateman.

Bateman’s early working dates are unclear but he eventually succeeded his former master maintaining the same address and in turn took on a John Newton from Hitchin as his apprentice in 1774. By 1781 it seems that Bateman’s business had been taken over by Newton (who must have just finished his seven year apprenticeship term) and another more established engraver, William Palmer. Palmer himself had in 1770 apprenticed another future leading globe maker, John Cary but must have considered the partnership with the newly established Newton (and the goodwill of Bateman’s business) a sensible business opportunity. The partnership however, was short lived and from 1783 John Newton according to trade cards was trading alone, presenting himself as successor to Mr T. Bateman.

From this point forward, the business became a sole Newton affair, John had a number of sons and his second William entered the globe making enterprise where after in 1818 it was renamed as J&W Newton.

It is interesting (and historically confusing) that the Newtons’ at this stage had also taken a keen interest in the new and growing business of patents. The family was intrinsically linked to this industry throughout the Nineteenth Century and William is recorded as being patent agent on numerous early applications. This side of the business is notable for the fact that William Newton is still considered one of the founding fathers of the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents. In 1830, a Miles Berry was also partnered into the new company of Newton, Son & Berry and aside from Berry’s main involvement in the patent industry, his name is also seen applied to globes produced by the company in this period.

By 1840, William had two teenage sons, William Edward and Alfred Vincent, he was also now a wealthy and influential member of London Society becoming an Associate of the Institution of Civil Engineers and Editor of The London Journal of Arts & Sciences whilst also running both a globe making business and acting as a Patent Agent. The partnership with Miles Berry ended at this early point of the decade, probably owing to John Newton’s growing age (he died in 1844) and also the coming of age of William’s sons. The company name change to Newton & Son or W. Newton & Son a