Antique Biram Type Pocket Anemometer No 1274 c.1900

A very scarce nickel plated hunter cased pocket anemometer No. 1274 retailed by Stephen Humble, London in original case c.1900. Biram style pocket anemometer having ⅞” diameter silvered and die struck indicating dial, the outer scale calibrated in feet divided down to 1ft, the upper part marked with retailer’s details and “Feet,” subsidiary dial divided to “HDS,” hundreds of feet. Blued steel pointers, bevelled glass. Eight bladed paddle shaped rotor, side mounted button operated brake. Pendant and bow with case release. Presented in its original burgundy leather over timber, green silk and velvet lined case, snap closure on a button release. Condition: Serviced and cleaned, the rotor spins freely with both indicating pointers traversing correctly, very slight rotor misalignment though this does not affect rotation or function. The dial with some signs of ageing at extremities. The case both opens and closes correctly with a positive latching, retains most original nickel plating though exhibiting some wear and minor abrasions. The travel case sound in structure, the external leather intact and with good colour, the release button and immediate leather covering replaced. The internal fabric with good colour and vibrancy. Comments: An evolution of the original Biram Patent anemometer of 1844, these anemometers were used predominantly in mining to measure air flow. Biram anemometers were originally manufactured by John Davis of Derby, and it is likely that this was made by Davis as a white-label instrument for retail by mining engineer and equipment supplier Stephen Humble of 9 Victoria Street, London. Biram type anemometers have the dial and vanes in the same plane, and earlier instruments such as this did not have the ability to return to zero found in later instruments.  We have seen very few of these pocket watch sized versions, and this appears to be one of the best in terms of condition, function and overall quality. Rarely do these become available, and as a fine and interesting piece of late Victorian engineering it is a most desirable collector’s piece. From the Smithsonian website: The anemometer measures wind velocity in order to determine the volume of air entering or exiting mine shafts. It was invented in 1844 by Benjamin Biram (1804-1857), house steward to the Earl Fitzwilliam, who owned several coal mines in South Yorkshire, England. Scientific instrument maker John Davis (1810-1873) of Derby, England, first manufactured the device in 1845; and anemometers based on Biram's patent continued to be produced by the successor firms of John Davis & Son and Davis Derby until the mid 20th century.