Mid-victorian Open Dial Holosteric Aneroid Barometer By Naudet (pnhb)

For sale, a mid-Victorian brass cased holosteric aneroid barometer by Pertuis, Naudet, Hulot & Bourgeois (PNHB). This fine example of PNHBs output has a 5 inch open dial with a printed card scale surrounding the beautifully executed aneroid movement. The scale measures from 28 to 31 inches of barometric pressure divided into tenths of an inch and weather indications to the outer edge. It has a blue steel hand with a brass indicator hand operated by a small knurled brass knob at the front of the glass and all is contained in a superbly crafted graduated base.

It is stamped with the makers mark of PNHB to the back. The company was formed in 1860 by the above named partners and they quickly rose to become one of the largest manufacturers and exporters of aneroid barometers in the world. Their early export success may be related to their exhibiting at the 1862 London Exhibition where they are listed under Volume 3 The Colonial & Foreign Division and it is likely that the company garnered numerous business relationships as a result. Examples of their barometers are numerous amongst the wares of all of the best scientific instrument makers of the day. Negretti & Zambra were also importing and retailing the companys barometers as well as making their own.

Interestingly, the company was listed at the exhibition as Naudet & Co (Cie in French), so it is also likely that the initial partnership was broken up in some way within two years, leading to the convenient (for Naudet at least) belief that the PNHB makers stamp really stood for Paul Naudet Holosteric Barometre. However, there are a number of confusing factors that suggest that not all partners left the concern. In 1867, Naudet, Hulot & Cie are referenced in the, Bulletin de la Societe DEngouragement pour LIndustrie Nationale after receiving a medal for their enhancements to Monsieur Vidis design (the patent had fallen into the public domain in 1859) through their Holosteric Barometers.

The companys 1891 catalogue continued to reference this award, printing the Societys report in full but at this stage, the catalogue states the business name as, Naudet & Cie but with the line below stating Pertuis & Fils in larger text proving that Pertuis also continued to have a stake in this highly successful enterprise. We can only surmise at this stage but it would suggest that Hulot and Pertuis maintained some kind of relationship with Naudet until the end of the Nineteenth Century and Bourgeois was the only partner to have left the company in its the early period. It is certain however that further research is required to untangle this complicated partnership arrangement. Survival of the company through the Franco Prussian war and the First World War is evidenced through the existence of their catalogues but in 1928 it seems that the company had moved out of the original owners hands and had been bought out by a company named Dourde.

Like many English scientific instrument makers, the new owners had sought to maintain the goodwill and customer base built up by Naudet and their catalogues front page is dual named to Maison Naudet and Dourde successeur. Unlike many of its kind, Naudet (or Naudet Dourde) still exists and continues to make new barometers today even winning the Enterprise du Patrimoine Vivant award in 2016. They primarily trade under the Naudet name, so much so that the Dourde name is not incorporated into their branding on their website or on their instruments. A testament to the strength of reputation that this company created in the Nineteenth Century.

This particular example remained in production until at least the end of the nineteenth century where it can be identified in Naudets catalogues. It is decribed as their Barometre No 1 a jour 13 centimetres Grand course. Jason Clarke Antiques are happy to discuss carriage, condition or for any other queries, alternatively, you can also message me and I will endeavour to come back to you as soon as possible. I have a number of beautiful antiques for sale, so please feel free to browse my other items. The item "MID-VICTORIAN OPEN DIAL HOLOSTERIC ANEROID BAROMETER BY NAUDET (PNHB)" is in sale since Tuesday, January 8, 2019.

This item is in the category "Collectables\Scientific Collectables\Scientific Instruments\Barometers". The seller is "jason750_1" and is located in newbury, Berkshire. This item can be shipped to United Kingdom.

Type: Scientific Instruments
Featured Refinements: Aneroid Barometer
Sub-Type: Barometers
Period: 1800 to 1900
Material: Brass
Modified Item: No
Country/Region of Manufacture: France