Lot 137: A Comitti of London Oak-Cased Banjo Aneroid Barometer and Thermometer
An English oak-cased banjo aneroid wall barometer with an integrated thermometer. The case is constructed from a dark-stained wood with a visible grain, featuring a central circular housing for the barometer dial and a slender neck for the thermometer. The case terminates in decorative shield-shaped sections at the top and bottom, both featuring circular wooden bosses set within textured, darkened recessed fields. The central barometer features a silvered metal dial protected by a glass cover with a central brass setting knob. The dial indicates atmospheric pressure in both inches of mercury (28 to 31) and millibars (950 to 1050). The weather categories Very Dry, Fair, Change, Rain, and Stormy are printed in a blackletter font. It has a blued steel indicator hand and a brass reference hand. Within a decorative scroll on the right side of the dial is the printed text Comitti of London, with the phrase MADE IN ENGLAND printed below it. The word COMPENSATED is printed in the centre of the dial. Set into the neck of the case is a silvered rectangular scale with a red spirit-filled glass thermometer tube. It features dual scales for Fahrenheit (0 to 120 degrees) and Centigrade (-20 to 50 degrees). The words CENTIGRADE and FAHRENHEIT are printed to the right of the respective scales. Two orange adhesive labels, numbered 137 and 17, are attached to the wood to the right of the main dial, alongside a small white adhesive label also numbered 17.
Condition report:
The item is in good overall condition with no significant cracks or chips visible to the wooden case or the glass covers (photo 1). The silvered finishes on the dial and thermometer scale are clean and the lettering is clearly legible. There is minor surface dust present. The red spirit column in the thermometer is continuous. The aneroid barometer mechanism appears intact, although calibration and movement have not been tested. Two orange adhesive labels and one small white adhesive label are attached to the wooden case (photo 1).
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