Early Victorian Platinum Scale Stick Barometer by John Newman, 122 Regent Street London

For sale, a very rare early Victorian mahogany stick barometer by J Newman of 122 Regent Street, London with platinum scale.

Undoubtedly the finest example of an early Victorian domestic barometer that I have encountered. On aesthetic consideration it represents the more serious style of this period with a horizontal, graduated pediment and rectangular glazed scale front. Behind is a two-part inverted scale plate with thermometer over a Fahrenheit and Centigrade on the left, and barometer scale on the right. The scale measures 27 to 31 inches of barometric pressure with a slide Vernier attached to the edge, operated by the set key below. Engraved above the barometer scale, it states, “Corrected Scale for Capacity” and above the maker’s name of J Newman, 122 Regent St, London.

All are beautifully executed, but the material used for the scale immediately point to this being a unique domestic example. Instead of silvered brass as one would expect, the plates are comprised of platinum which is easily discernible from the bright lustre and the lack of any associated tarnish. They remain as bright as they would have been at the date of manufacture.

During this period, Newman was considered the most respected maker of meteorological instruments and the use of this material was not merely for decorative purpose. The refinement of platina or platinum was mastered by the prolific scientist and innovator, William Hyde Wollaston in the early 1800’s and small-scale production, allowed Wollaston a very good source of income until his death in 1825. Sales of the metal were initially managed by the famous London instrument maker, William Cary where it was primarily used in the formation of crucibles for chemical experimentation however, in the 1840’s, the Royal Society were still investigating this relatively new material as Wollaston did not divulge his refinement techniques until much later.

Following Wollaston’s demise, numerous experimental uses were considered for a material that was proven to be supremely heat resistance and resistant to corrosion. A reason why it was readily employed as a material for manufacturing touch holes for black powder arms at this time. Newman presumably employed platinum as a means of temperature compensation and for durability. The Royal Society employed him in the creation of a station barometer where platinum scales were also employed, and this is undoubtedly a domestic version devised upon similar principles.

The trunk of the barometer is similarly understated in design, with a simple reeded edge and choice mahogany being the only decorative attention, but upon reaching the cistern it is again obvious that this is no ordinary example. The plain cistern block is carved in simple relief at the front to accentuate a circular brass cistern case which protrudes through the cover, the centre of which is comprised of glass, showing the quick silver contained within.

Its relationship to the Fortin barometer and the new station barometer Newman had created for the Royal Society is striking and its invention was as a result of Newman’s lack of trust in the durability of the standard leather cistern base which had; and continued to exist for years. In 1833, Newman created an iron cistern for portable barometers with similar attributes, however this cistern is comprised of a two-piece brass cylinder with glass tube and glass base incorporated inside. It’s similarity to the design of the Royal Society Station barometer is unmistakeable.

The corrected scale for capacities mentioned on the scale above is also worthy of mention, as it relates to the inter-relationship between the level of quick silver in the cistern and the associated level in the tube. With Newman’s understanding of the differences of capacity between these two elements, the associated scale engraving would have been minutely adjuste