Accession No

2325

Brief Description

Eleven hydrometers of various types, by P. Stevenson, 1864

Origin

Edinburgh; Scotland

Maker

Stevenson. P.

Class

physics; metrology

Earliest Date

1864

Latest Date

1900

Inscription Date

Material

metal (brass, mercury, lead, white metal); wood (mahogany); glass; paper; wax (sealing wax); cloth (velvet, ribbon); plastic

Dimensions

hydrometer lengths vary from 146mm to 208mm plummet lengths vary from 78mm to 85mm box length 250mm; breadth 247mm; height 79mm

Special Collection

Provenance

Purchased from M. Howard, 10/1977.

Inscription

‘P. STEVENSON MAKER EDINBURGH’ (five hydrometers)
‘ROBERT’S SACCHAROMETER’ (one hydrometer)
‘Temp 60˚ F William Hume.’ (pear-shaped hydrometer)

Description Notes

Seven hydrometers and four glass and mercury plummets.
6 spherical bulb glass hydrometers, scale printed on paper within the spindle.
Spindle 1: divided 0 - 26, numbered by 2, subdivided to 0.5; saccharometer; weighted with lead filings.
Spindle 2: divided 24 - 56, numbered by 2, subdivided to 0.5; weighted with lead filings; marked ‘no. 2’.
Spindle 3: divided 48 - 80, numbered by 2, subdivided to 0.5; weighted with lead filings; marked ‘no. 3’.
Spindle 4: divided 74 - 118, numbered by 2, subdivided to 0.5; weighted with mercury; marked ‘no. 4’.
Spindle 5: divided 102 -134, numbered by 2, subdivided to 0.5; weighted with mercury; marked ‘no. 5’.
Spindle 6: divided 138 - 172, numbered by 2, subdivided to 0.5; weighted with mercury; broken.
Five items of a later date:
pear-shaped glass hydrometer, mercury weighted, divided 850 - 900, numbered by 10, subdivided to 1.
Four glass mercury-weighted plummets for a Westphal-type hydrostatic balance.
Probably lacks the trial glass.
Fitted mahogany box with brass hinges and lock; lined with red velvet.

Also comes with original correspondence from the sale (two letters, seemingly in same handwriting).

Condition fair (one hydrometer broken); incomplete (trial glass missing).

References

Events