Antique Negretti & Zambra Desk Weather Forecaster c.1915

A silvered brass and cast japanned aluminium desk weather forecaster by Negretti & Zambra, first quarter 20th century. Desk weather forecaster having engraved and silvered brass fascia with pinstripe border secured with dome-headed screws, the upper part headed “Barometer Readings” in red, with “Reduced to Sea Level” below. Forecasting dial with outer scale marked in inches with a scale from 28–31, rear dial with alphabetical codes and direction of wind index, the disc marked “Barometer” with three oblong apertures for selecting conditions of “Falling,” “Rising” or “Steady” pressure. The lower fascia marked “Wind” with compass points, “Patent 6276/15,” lower elongated aperture with letter-coded forecasts as derived from the index disc above, “Forecast” in red and signed by the maker “Negretti & Zambra, London” with “NZ” logogram. The cast aluminium case with side-mounted wind direction selector lever, lower knurled setting wheel for forecast interpretation. This desk weather forecaster is a novel instrument, a very rare variation on the various disc type calculators synonymous with this maker. Fully serviced, this particular instrument has survived really quite well, the fascia silvering refreshed at some time. A rather wonderful commentary on early 20th century instruments, and certainly a collector’s piece.