Patrick Adie - London. Good quality and rare early example of brass-cased ‘Kew-Pattern’ Marine Stick Barometer – Numbered '325' - c1860.

Good quality and rare early example of brass-cased ‘Kew-Pattern’ Marine Stick Barometer – numbered '325' – mounted on original gimbals.  The engraved, silvered register plate, calibrated in inches, with rack-and-pinion operated vernier, signed “Adie Liverpool No 325” and protected by glass sleeve. The trunk mounted with Fahrenheit thermometer, with original concealed barometer tube terminating within iron cistern. c1860.

Son of the renowned Edinburgh instrument maker, he achieved an international reputation for excellence and innovation, working from various London premises from 1846-86. The Kew-Pattern marine barometer was developed and patented by Adie, in the 1850’s at Kew Observatory, London, for the Admiralty, incorporating several novel developments, especially the iron cistern and Bunten Air-trap. It quickly achieved widespreadacclaim and subsequently became the standard issue for warships and commercial fleets around the world. This instrument was clearly made in London, and retailed by Adie’s brother, Richard, from his premises in Liverpool.