Rare Silver Half Hunter Pocket Barometer by Casella No 2013 c.1874

A rare, fine, silver half hunter aneroid pocket barometer altimeter by L. Casella, London, No 2013 c1874. Silver pocket barometer having 1¾” silvered and engraved dial with dual concentric scales, the outer altitude scale calibrated in feet from 0 – 11,000’ and divided to 100’, the inner barometric scale calibrated in inches of mercury with a range from 20 – 31”, divided to 1/10ths. The upper part signed by the maker “L. Casella, London” with the legend “Maker to the Admiralty & Ordnance.” The lower part marked “Compensated” with serial no. “2013.” Rotating bezel with index, blued steel pointer, bevelled glass. Conventional first quality 1” capsule driven movement tensioned on a C spring. All contained within a half hunter semi-barrel form case with engine turned finishers and verso. The inner case back with calibration port, the cover inside with full hallmarks for sterling silver, London, 1874 and the silversmith “Jtw.” Extension post and suspension ring. The pocket barometer contained within its correct oxblood leather over timber, green velvet and silk lined case, snap closure on a button release. Comments: This is a particularly nice instrument from one of the leading scientific instruments maker and suppliers of that time. The quality is first class, the movement itself bought in from Elliott Brothers, and the addition of a fine half hunter case by Clerkenwell silversmith James Thomas White elevates it to one of the most desirable of all these instruments. I have handled one other instrument from this series, though this had a rotating verso and was not of the half hunter style. Very rare, fine and with wonderful aesthetic qualities, this collaboration between two top makers is very much a collector and connoisseur’s piece.