American Forecaster Barometer made by Joseph, Davis & Co. for the American market. 223048.

Joseph Davis & Company of 6 Kennington Park, London, manufactured this late Victorian "American Forcaster Barometer." Joseph Davis & Co. was located at this address from 1871 through 1893 and is listed as the "Sole manufacturers of Polytechnic Barometers." This barometer design was created by Vice-Admiral Robert Fitzroy, best known as the captain of the HMS Beagle during Charles Darwin's famous voyage. Fitzroy was a pioneering Meteorologist who made accurate weather predictions, which he termed "Forecasting."

This case is constructed in oak and finished to a high sheen. The woodwork is exceptional and is embellished in several locations with lacy fretwork, fully turned finials, and carvings. A brass bezel protects the silvered affect printed dial display. 

The dial bezel is fitted with glass and measures approximately 9.5 inches in diameter. The dial information includes two individual scales that have their own verniers. The verniers or brass hands are manually adjusted by turning the bone knobs below the dial. Each vernier has two hands. The shorthand is used to mark the location or level of the mercury in the large bore glass tube. This tube is centered in the case and is secured with fancy brass straps. One vernier is for Yesterday's reading, and the second is for Today's. The larger/longer brass hand/pointer extends out to the perimeter of the faceplate. This area is decoratively marked with copies of Admiral Fitzroy's charts. Shield-shaped displays are located on the lower section of the dial. Here, the Joseph Davis & Co. business information and patent claims are provided. At the top of the dial, Joseph Davis & Co is signed in script. Below this is the model name, "AMERICAN FORECASTER / BAROMETER. / TRADEMARK." Just below the main dial is a row of seven circular and adjustable scales. One scale is provided for each of the seven days of the week. Their purpose is so that you can track the weather trend over seven days. When reading the instrument's main dial daily, you would manually adjust the corresponding day disk to the appropriate number. Over a period of a few days, one would be able to establish a trend. A silvered-scaled thermometer displaying Fahrenheit is positioned in the center of the rectangular-shaped case. It is framed with pierced wooden trellis work, recessed, and behind a protective glass panel. The base molding protrudes outward in the center to accommodate a compass.

This instrument is now in working order. The case measures approximately 41 inches in length, 12.5 inches wide, and 2 inches deep. Joseph Davis & Co. made it circa 1885.

Inventory number 223048.