old barometer?

Seanie M

Hi,
I picked up this old barometer in a garage sale last year. Its looks old, and the company that made it, Short & Mason, was pretty world renowned for compasses and barometers. Anyone knowanything?

Seanie.

kadman

Looks like a mahogany timber, is it. Originally french polish finish , I would imagine. Restored woodwork would look excellent.
Nice find . Did you research it on the web?

kadman

Seanie M

Hi kadman,

yes, it is a solid mahogany (finish) alright. I have not polished it yet though. It was in safe storage till I came across it again recently. I don't know if I would fix it up or not (the cracked glass, slightly tarnished brass ring), unless it was to add to the value of it. So far, the barometer mechanism works, it has changed from day to day.

I have exhausted all I could from the net about it and the company, but there is not much. I have come across lots of sites where pocket compasses and other styles of barometers by Short and Mason have sold (pretty well too), but none of them look like THIS one! I am moving house soon, and I don't know whether to fix it up and hang it, or hold it for an antique buyer!



Seanie.

kadman

Have you tried searching antique sales catalogues on the web, to find a similar one to get some idea of price. Of course you can't restore it until you find out how valuable it is.

kadman

Supercell

Definately try on one or two weather boards, am certain someone will know all about them , would recommend http://www.theweatheroutlook.com or http://www.ukweatherworld.co.uk/ both of which have plenty of pro weather forcasters as well as true weather nuts..if anyone can help you with this i bet someone on their boards can !!

Seanie M

thanks guys.
Longfield, I'll try those links.
I have trawled through the net for antique forums, but there are not many worthwhile one out there. I guess its not a common thing for barometers to be collectables.
And you're right about the cleaning kadman - in some cases, cleaning an antique actually devalues it!

It would be nice if cleaned up, but to be honest, if it was worth a few bob, then I'd put it towards the new house I am (hoping) to buy in the coming weeks!

Seanie.

Seanie M

I'm not getting much luck in my searches on this one! Aargh!

kadman

How about Millers antique guide.

kadman

Seanie M

kadman wrote:

How about Millers antique guide.

kadman

Sorry kadman, you'll have to enlighten me there!!

kadman

Hi,

Millers publish various types of antique guides for all manner of things, such as motorbikes, furniture, cars ect. So they might also have a gudie for clocks , watches and may be barometers. They might have a web site , not too sure though.

Their gudes outline, auction prices you would expect to pay for certain items.
Worth a look.
kadman

Seanie M

Cheers, thanks!