For sale, a late Victorian tipping
bucket recording rain gauge by Callaghan & Co of 23a New bond Street,
London.
Comprised of a black painted two-part
zinc case with a graduated base and graduated lift off cover with central hole
and siphon to receive rainfall and deliver it to an internal tipping bucket
mechanism. An unusually pristine opaline glass dial measures an inch of
rainfall around the outer circumference, with a secondary centre dial allowing
for up to 25 inches of rainfall and a hand operated dial pointer for recording
current observations.
It is complete with the maker’s name of
Callaghan & Co, 23a New Bond Street, Corner of Conduit Street, London.
This exact model featured in the James
Hicks catalogues of the late Victorian and Edwardian periods and is described
as follows:
“The dial recording rain gauge has a
receiver with an area of 100 square inches. The rain which passes through the
receiver falls into a bucket, divided into two parts. After the rain has filled
one side it falls over and empties itself, the other half of the bucket coming into
position to receive the water. This moves forward the hand one division of the
dial, representing .01 of an inch of rainfall, and so on. The gauge is quite automatic
and requires no attention.
It registers up to 25 inches, has an
index, which can be set by hand, fitted to record the result of the last
observation made.
The dial of opal glass is very distinct,
the receiver is secured by two thumbscrews, so that the wind cannot move it,
and over the small inlet there is a cover to prevent the passing through of
falling leaves etc.”
William Callaghan’s career began as an
employee of the famous firm of Thomas Harris & Son. It is likely that he was apprenticed there
but he was certainly working for them in their Great Russell Street premises by
1841 after having attended the London Mechanic Institute. Sadly, little is
known of Callaghan’s meteoric rise to fame but by 1851 he had exhibited at the
Great Exhibition in his own right and had also managed to occupy premises at
23a New Bond Street.
The company continued until the mid-1870’s
whereafter it was renamed Callaghan & Co suggesting a change of ownership
or a passing to later members of the family but it seems to have flourished
until the onset of The Great War. The company’s quality remained steadfast
throughout and although their history is less well documented, instruments
bearing the Callaghan name are always impressive. What is more impressive is
the state of preservation of the dial which are often badly damaged, a rare
survivor of this much sought after recording rain gauge by a very good London
maker.
Circa 1890
Jason Clarke Antiques are happy to
discuss carriage, condition or for any other queries, alternatively, you can
also message us and we will endeavour to come back to you as soon as possible.
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have a number of beautiful antiques for sale, so please feel free to browse our
other items.
Many thanks