Accession No

2305

Brief Description

pressure tube anemometer, by Lilley and Son, English, 19th Century

Origin

England; London; Limehouse; 7 Jamaica Terrace

Maker

Lilley and Son

Class

meteorology

Earliest Date

1858

Latest Date

1900

Inscription Date

Material

wood; metal (brass, oxidised brass); glass; liquid; ivory; paper

Dimensions

box length 243mm; breadth 190mm; height 59mm

Special Collection

Provenance

Purchased from Christie's, London, England, lot 77, 30/03/1977.

Inscription

‘Sir W. Snow Harris
f.r.s.
Inventor.’ (anemometer)
‘LILLEY & SON,
Opticians &c.
Limehouse,
London.’ (anemometer)
‘JOHN LILLEY & SON,
Nautical & Mathematical Instrument Manufacturers,
To Her Majesty’s Royal Navy & the Honble. East India Company
SOLE PROPRIETORS & MANUFACTURERS OF SIR W. SNOW HARRIS’S
STEERING COMPASS,
And Correctors of Local Attraction in Iron Shipls by Magnetic Operations.
AND TABLES OF DEVIATIONS COMPUTED.
7, JAMAICA TERRACE, LIMEHOUSE,
London.’ (trade label in box)
‘LILLEY & SON
LONDON’ (compass)

Description Notes

Snow Harris’ modification of Lind’s anemometer. Pressure tube anemometer consists of bent glass tube set into wooden board and carrying brass ferrules at ends. Tube widens at lower end and this end can carry a funnel attachment. Bubble level set into bottom of board, containing pink-dyed liquid. The board is set on two screws for attachment to lid of box. Board carries paper scale giving measurement on gauge and the translation into speed of wind, with comments on the type of wind indicated. The box also contains a glass bottle which would once have contained liquid for the gauge and a glass dropper for filling the gauge.
Mahogany box with sliding lid. Lid carries screwholes for erection of pressure gauge. Also a compass for determining direction of wind; 64-point compass rose with 8 points marked by initial; fleur-de-lys for North; magnetic compass card.

Condition fair; complete

References

Events