Richard Frères Ship's Barograph. France, 1920s. In Working Order and Includes a Thermometer

Richard Frères Ship's Barograph. France, 1920s. In Working Order and with Thermometer

Fantastic aneroid ship's barograph, manufactured in France in the 1920s. The barograph is well-preserved and works perfectly. All of its parts are original except for the pointer: instead of the classic tip reservoir, the device has been fitted with a marker pen pointer. This barograph features eight aneroid capsules that ensure high precision in its readings. It was manufactured by the prestigious Richard Frères firm in Paris, and the company's monogram is engraved on the brass base embedded in the wood.

The firm Richard Frères (Richard Brothers) was founded in Paris by brothers Jules and Max Richard to manufacture measuring instruments. Although the brothers actually dissolved the partnership in 1891, Jules Richard continued producing instruments and kept stamping them with the RF monogram. These letters are engraved on this beautiful barograph, a device used to measure atmospheric pressure. Aneroid barographs, such as the one in question, base their readings on the expansion and contraction of a sealed drum composed of several capsules. The more capsules the mechanism contains, the greater its precision. The pointer is connected to the discs and replicates their movements, transmitting them to an inked tip that records them on the paper roll.

The paper roll is mounted on a cylinder powered by a clockwork mechanism. The barograph also features a mercury thermometer in the center, in perfect working order. Beneath the monogram engraved on the base of the device, we can see the serial number 112653. The case containing the device is made of wood with glass sides. The wood is solid mahogany, as is the base, and the case retains its original handle, latches, and metal fittings.

This fantastic ship's barograph is a precision instrument, still in working order, that also boasts great decorative appeal.

Dimensions: Width: 160 mm. Height: 300 mm.