Barometer, Mercury
- Title:
- Banjo Mercury Barometer
- Object Name:
- Barometer, Mercury
- Creator:
- Richard Widenham
- Date:
- 1824-1850
- Material:
- Mahogany,glass, brass, mercury
- Dimensions:
- H-4.75 L-21 Dia-7 inches
- Description:
- Sheraton wheel-style mercury barometer in a keyhole shaped mahogany case. Includes a hygrometer (top), mercury thermometer (middle), barometer (lower) and a level (bottom). Makers signature is on the barometer (lower - large circle) "Widenham / London".
The hygrometer has two positions: "Damp," and "Dry."
The mercury thermometer is in Fahrenheit, and ranges from twenty degrees to one-hundred degrees. The degrees are accompanied by four corresponding levels: Freezing, Temprate [sic], Sum[mer] Heat, and Blood Heat.
The barometer has seven positions: "Change," "Fair," "Set Fair," "Very Dry," "Stormy," "Much Rain," and "Rain." Between each position there are tick marks, numbered 1-9.
On the reverse side, there are nearly illegible pencil inscriptions. One that is readable gives a date: "Sept. 13th." - Provenance:
- A mercury barometer has a glass tube that is closed at one end, with an open mercury-filled reservoir at the base. The weight of the mercury creates a vacuum at the top of the tube. Mercury in the tube adjusts until the weight of the mercury column balances the atmospheric force exerted on the reservoir.
This barometer was most likely made by Richard Widenham, a clockmaker who operated his business at Lombard Street in London. It is unknown how or when the barometer came to America. - Subjects:
- Barometers, Thermometers, Hydrometer, Weather, Scientific equipment
- Place of Origin:
- London
- Collection Name:
- Society of the Cincinnati in the State of New Hampshire
- Item Number:
- 2014.003
- Accession Number:
- 2014.003
- Type of Material:
- Objects
- Copyright Statement:
- For information regarding copyright, permissions, and reproductions contact the American Independence Museum
- Credit Line:
- In memory of Latham Ralston Reed and of his Father Latham Gallup Reed
- Participating Organization:
- American Independence Museum
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