A Negretti & Zambra pocket barometer compass combination, serial number 12343, dating from c.1890. With a brass case, blued needle, rotating bezel with altitude scale, adjustment screw, and an inset Francis Barker compass to the rear of the case. Catalogues of the time described these instruments as intended for use by soldiers, explorers, mountaineers, balloonists, or travellers. The dial is calibrated from 21-31 inches and is also marked 'Compensated', with additional 'Rain', 'Change', and 'Fair' markings. The revolving altitude scale is calibrated from zero to 10,000 feet. Complete with its original green velvet and silk lined morocco leather covered case, which has a cut-out window to the rear to allow the compass dial to be viewed without opening the case.
Negretti & Zambra: Negretti & Zambra of London were highly successful scientific and optical Instrument makers and retailers throughout the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Henry Negretti (1818-1879) and Joseph Zambra (1822-1897) formed their partnership in 1850. The company produced scientific and optical instruments and also had a photographic studio based in London. They were appointed opticians and scientific instrument makers to Her Majesty Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, King Edward VII, the Royal Observatory and the British Admiralty. Henry Negretti was the first man to take aerial photographs of London from a balloon. Throughout World War One Negretti and Zambra produced instruments for the Ministry of Munitions and developed many aviation instruments for the Air Ministry.
Condition
In very good condition, full working order, and passes the plastic bag pressure test. The brass case is in very good condition. The bevelled glass, dial and pointer are in very good condition. The inset Francis Barker compass to the rear is in very good condition and finds North well. The leather case is in very good condition, with minor signs of wear. The push-button from the snap-closure lid catch is missing, but the catch still works.
Dimensions : 45mm diameter (leather case: 58mm)
