Accession No

6554

Brief Description

viscometer, ‘Redwood Viscosimeter’, by Griffin, English, early 20th century

Origin

England; London

Maker

Griffin [viscometer] Baird and Tatlock (London) Ltd. [box] Taylor, Taylor & Hobson [spirit level]

Class

chemistry

Earliest Date

1880

Latest Date

1950

Inscription Date

(?)

Material

Wood; metal (copper, tin, mercury; steel; other); glass; leather

Dimensions

[in case:] 345mm (width) x 330 (height) x 215mm (depth)

Special Collection

Provenance

Donated by an individual on or before 04/05/2011.

Inscription

[on case:] “Baird & Tatlock London Ltd”,
[on flask:] “REDWOOD VISCOSIMETER
No 1939
Griffin, London”
[on spirit level:] “T. T. & H.”

Description Notes

viscometer, ‘Redwood Viscosimeter’, by Griffin, English, early 20th century.

Copper and steel (?) Redwood viscometer by Griffin. 7 parts: stand, flask, plug, platform; spirit level, thermometer (one missing). Stand made of steel and copper with adjustable screwed feet so that the flask can stand level, or balance on uneven surface. Copper flask in good condition, as is plug (although slightly bent) and glass thermometer. Flask is inscribed:“REDWOOD VISCOSIMETER
No 1939
Griffin, London”

Thermometer is marked 40 - 600o Fahrenheit. Volumetric flask very dirty, with encrusted oil around rim. Platform has either been partially melted at one point, or is home-made and effect is from soldering. Metal is discoloured all over, particularly where heated. All parts are very oily, except the tap to the water bath, suggesting it has either been replaced or it may be of a different material. The stand and the base of the main flask are extremely oily. Spirit level has ‘T. T. & H’ inscribed and is cleaner than the other objects, and thus may be a replacement for a previous similar part, assumedly made by company Taylor, Taylor & Hobson Ltd.

Case has leather handle secured with buckle (rusted), which is broken, and has supports inside to ensure all parts can be secured within the box. On exterior of box is small white circle branded “Baird & Tatlock London Ltd.’ Supports may have been handmade - potentially the box was just recycled to hold Griffin Viscosimeter.

Condition: good/fair; incomplete.

References

Events