Lot 151: Late 19th Century Oak Cased Admiral Fitzroy Mercury Stick Barometer by Vigars Lancaster
A Victorian mercury stick barometer of the Admiral Fitzroy pattern, housed in an oak case with a pedimented top and squared base. The instrument features a glazed front protecting a printed paper backplate which contains extensive meteorological instructions and charts. The left-hand side of the backplate is titled Admiral Fitzroy’s Remarks and includes detailed comparative scales for Barometer Rises and Barometer Falls, alongside a Mountain Scale for altitude adjustments. To the right, a printed diagram titled The Atmosphere illustrates the height of the atmosphere in miles, featuring a cross-sectional map of the Earth with labels including Himalayas, Andes, Alps, and Level of the Sea. Mounted to the upper right is a boxwood-scale thermometer measuring in Fahrenheit, with the maker’s name Vigars Lancaster printed at the top of the scale. A diamond-shaped mark on the backing plate is impressed with J Patent No. 3601. The mercury reservoir is visible at the bottom right, encased in a glass cistern containing a green fluid residue. The instrument retains one adjustable brass pointer.
Condition report:
The barometer is currently in a non-functional state with the mercury column appearing absent or significantly separated within the main glass tube (photo 1). The printed paper backplate exhibits significant age-related deterioration, including heavy foxing, yellowing, and areas of paper loss and peeling, most notably at the top left and along the edges of the central tube (photo 3). The oak case shows general surface wear, scuffs, and dust accumulation consistent with age (photo 1). A green residue is visible inside the glass cistern (photo 2). One of the two original brass recording sliders is missing (photo 1).
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