Sikes hydrometer
Datecirca 1850
Inventory NumberDW0222
ClassificationHydrometer
Subject
Maker
Thomas O'Dempsey Buss
fl. 1847 - 1883
Maker(slide rule)
Farrow & Jackson
fl. 1825 - 1900
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensions16.7 x 3.7 cm (6 9/16 x 1 7/16 in.)
case: 5.4 x 24.8 x 11 cm (2 1/8 x 9 3/4 x 4 5/16 in.)
case: 5.4 x 24.8 x 11 cm (2 1/8 x 9 3/4 x 4 5/16 in.)
Material
Accessoriesweights (9); slide rule; thermometer; mahogany case; conversion tables book (Lib.4758, in library)
Bibliography
DescriptionA small gilded hydrometer composed of a spherical ball with two stems. The shorter one has a pointed weight at its end, while the longer stem has an engraved scale going from 10 to 0 as one moves further from the ball.
The hydrometer has its original mahogany carrying case with velvet lining, which also carries nine weights (10 to 90), a thermometer with a string to suspend it in liquids, and a slide rule for conversion purposes.
The hydrometer has its original mahogany carrying case with velvet lining, which also carries nine weights (10 to 90), a thermometer with a string to suspend it in liquids, and a slide rule for conversion purposes.
Signedon side edge of upper hydrometer stem: BUSS 33 HATTON GARDEN LONDON
on thermometer: BUSS LONDON
on bone plate inset on case lid: SIKES'S HYDROMETER / BUSS / 33 Hatton Garden / LONDON
on edge of slide rule: FARROW & JACKSON MAKERS LONDON
Inscribedon hydrometer: No. 42131 SIKES
Curatorial RemarksThe British crest is present in many Sikes hydrometers and may indicate its official use.
Conversion Tables book (Lib.4758, see reference) was kept with this instrument, although it did not necessarily come with it.
FunctionThis was the legally required hydrometer for testing liquor proof strength in mid-19th century Britain.
A sample of liquor would be poured into the glass vase and its temperature measured with the provided thermometer. Then the hydrometer would be made to float in the sample, if necessary attaching a weight, for the water surface to mark a point on the scale.
The hydrometer is very precise with a total range from 0 to 100, a measurement determined by adding the weight attached to the bottom of the hydrometer to the number marked by the liquor's surface on the stem's scale.
Once the number had been determined, it would be used, together with the temperature, to find the proof strength using the slide rule or a published book of tables. (see references). More information on this instrument and its use is found on the following website.
A sample of liquor would be poured into the glass vase and its temperature measured with the provided thermometer. Then the hydrometer would be made to float in the sample, if necessary attaching a weight, for the water surface to mark a point on the scale.
The hydrometer is very precise with a total range from 0 to 100, a measurement determined by adding the weight attached to the bottom of the hydrometer to the number marked by the liquor's surface on the stem's scale.
Once the number had been determined, it would be used, together with the temperature, to find the proof strength using the slide rule or a published book of tables. (see references). More information on this instrument and its use is found on the following website.
ProvenanceDavid Wheatland purchased from Sotheby's, London, March 13, 1967 (part of lot 3) via E. P. Goldschmidt & Co,. Ltd. Donated to CHSI 1985.
English
Date: 1820-1850
Accessories: glass vase; thermometer with bone scale from 20° to 120°; weights (10); carrying case
Object number: DW0220
F. C. Bridges
Date: 1850
Accessories: 1 Thermometer, 8 weights (9 originally present, 1 missing), 1 cap
Object number: DW0919
Joseph C. Tucker
Date: circa 1825
Accessories: weights (10); slide rule; mahogany case
Object number: DW0499
Eastern Salt Company
Date: 1900-1920
Accessories: carrying case
Object number: 1998-1-0297
John Dicas
Date: 1780-1810
Accessories: weights, key with an oval ivory tag
Object number: 0080
German
Date: circa 1850
Accessories: cylindrical cardboard case with a pattern of brown and yellow flowers
Object number: DW0793
American
Date: 1820-1850
Accessories: wooden box with red fabric lining; extra weights
Object number: 1998-1-0270
French
Date: after 1782
Accessories: thermometer; leather case
Object number: DW0920
Gebrüder Haff
Date: circa 1960
Accessories: black storage case
two white cards with conversion tables inside case
Object number: 1997-1-2000
R. G. Greiner
Date: circa 1850
Accessories: black cylindrical cardboard case
Object number: DW0792
