FRANCIS BARKER & SON LTD
Scientific Instrument Manufacturers
Catalogue of Mining and Surveying Instruments,
Pocket and Military Compasses, etc
FRANCIS BARKER & SON Ltd, London, 1926
A rare, original, 1926 edition of the Francis Barker catalogue of Scientific Instruments. The catalogue features many of Barker's well-known compass designs, some of which had been in production since the second half of the 19th century. Various types of prismatic and liquid Service Compasses are also included, as are a range of pocket and dry-card compasses. Other products featured include telescopes, binoculars, sextants, levels, clinometers, clinometer rules, theodolites, barometers, drawing instruments, thermometers, rain gauges, and sundials.
Francis Barker's scientific instruments saw service throughout the British Empire in the 19th and 20th centuries as both official government issue and private purchase items. The company also supplied many other scientific instrument retailers, including Negretti & Zambra and J. H. Steward.
This catalogue is an invaluable reference work for anyone collecting Francis Barker scientific and military instruments, compasses, and surveying equipment. It is very well illustrated throughout and includes descriptions, prices and specifications.
Francis Barker & Son: were established in London in 1848, as a maker of compasses and scientific instruments. The company quickly established a reputation as one of the world's finest scientific instrument maker's. Francis Barker produced a very wide range of compass designs over the years, supplying major retailers such as Negretti & Zambra, J. Lizars, C. W. Dixey, Dollond, and many others. The company prospered until 1932, when it was taken over and became F. Barker & Son (1932). After WW2 the company changed hands several times and the name is now carried by Pyser-SGI. They continue to produce the renowned Barker M-73, widely acknowledged to be the world's finest prismatic compass. Further details of Barker compasses can be found at trademarklondon.com, and also in Paul Crepsel's excellent book Trade Mark London (available to view online).
Condition:
In good condition. The card cover is in good condition, with general signs of use, some marks and some creases. The stapled binding is secure. The text and illustrations are in good condition, with signs of use and some slightly creased corners.
Published: 1926
Green card covers with black titling
Fully illustrated with numerous line drawings
Dimensions: 150mm x 240mm
Pages: 40
