A rare Victorian Pocket Barometer & Thermometer combination instrument c.1865, retailed by Pillischer, the well-known London firm of scientific instrument makers. The barometer is signed by ‘Pillischer, London’, who had premises at 88 New Bond Street from 1854-1888. It has a brass case, silvered dial, rotating bezel, and an integral thermometer calibrated to 120 degrees fahrenheit. The barometer may have been made for Pillischer by William Callaghan & Co., the renowned barometer maker who had premises at 23 New Bond Street in the 1860s.
Moritz Pillischer (c.1819–1893): was a scientific instrument maker of Hungarian descent who moved to England in 1845. He opened his own premises in London in 1849 at 419 Oxford Street and was initailly listed as an optician. By 1852 he was at 398 Oxford Street and was noted in trade directories as having been producing microscopes for the last 4 years. In 1851 Pillischer exhibited at the Great Exhibition, displaying microscopes, thermometers and compasses. Pillischer also exhibited at the London 1862 exhibition, where he was awarded a prize for his microscope. In 1854 the business moved to 88 New Bond Street, where it remained until Moritz retired in 1887. After his retirement the business was continued by his nephew Jacob. Moritz Pillischer died in 1893, but the business he founded continued to trade in New Bond Street until the 1940s.
Condition:
In very good condition, and full working order. The barometer passes the plastic bag test. The brass case, bezel, glass, dial, and pointer are all in very good condition. The thermometer is in very good condition and working order. There is some wear to the original lacquered finish of the brass case.
Dimensions: 68mm diameter, 21mm depth
