Fineman nephoscope
Datecirca 1886
Inventory Number1998-1-1657
ClassificationNephoscope
Subject
Maker
J. L. Rose
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensionsassembled as photographed: 24 × 9.7 × 9 cm (9 7/16 × 3 13/16 × 3 9/16 in.)
case: 6 × 22.5 × 12.5 cm (2 3/8 × 8 7/8 × 4 15/16 in.)
case: 6 × 22.5 × 12.5 cm (2 3/8 × 8 7/8 × 4 15/16 in.)
Material
AccessoriesHinged wooden case which holds a detachable wooden stand, along with a weight, and a piece to attach weight to instrument. Inside lid is covered in red silk, inside bottom is covered in red velvet. Has shaped spaces to hold instrument.
DescriptionA Fineman nephoscope, a type of instrument designed to measure the altitude, direction and velocity of clouds. The instrument consists of a circular black glass mirror inset with a clear semicircle at the edge, in a circular bronze or brass frame. A rod, attached to the circular frame, is suspended horizontally, and held in position just above and parallel to the face of the glass mirror. The frame is inscribed "NO/O/SO/S/SV/V/NV/N," and is attached by two pivot points to a larger ring. The ring in turn is attached by two pivot points to an angular, U shaped frame, supported by a rod, which connects to a square wooden base. On the edge of the frame is the inscription, "J.L. ROSE / UPSALA." On the wooden base is a handwritten label.
The instrument has an accompanying black handle with a bronze or brass screw at one end. The bottom of the frame has a threaded hole, perhaps to accommodate the threaded end of the black handle.
The instrument case is a rectangular, flat wooden box, hinged with a pin and post closure. Inside, the lid is covered in red silk and the bottom of the case is covered with dark red velvet, both worn and fraying in spots. The bottom of the box is shaped to hold the instrument's parts.
The instrument has an accompanying black handle with a bronze or brass screw at one end. The bottom of the frame has a threaded hole, perhaps to accommodate the threaded end of the black handle.
The instrument case is a rectangular, flat wooden box, hinged with a pin and post closure. Inside, the lid is covered in red silk and the bottom of the case is covered with dark red velvet, both worn and fraying in spots. The bottom of the box is shaped to hold the instrument's parts.
SignedInscribed on frame: JL ROSE/ -X-/ UPSALA
InscribedInscribed on frame: JL ROSE/ -X-/ UPSALA; handwritten label on wooden base: illegible in this image.
Curatorial RemarksSmall hand type Has Harvard display card. Has a sticker whose number has since worn off.
FunctionA nephoscope, an instrument for measuring the altitude, direction and velocity of clouds.
Historical AttributesWas on display at one point.
Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory
Date: circa 1880
Object number: 1998-1-0863
Hottinger & Cie
Date: after 1885
Accessories: a fabric covered wooden and felt box closed with two hooks;
german language instruction sheet (copy in file);
Object number: 1998-1-0818
R. Iseli
Date: circa 1880
Accessories: walnut case with two adjustment tools, objective lens cap, and lens shade; Iseli trade card (inside box lid)
Object number: 5229
E. S. Ritchie & Sons
Date: 1868-1895
Accessories: a) two wheels made of an insulating material (ebonite?), solid except for an oval perforation near the edge, and a depression running on one face along its diameter; b) a spark-gap consisting of two brass balls that hold small rods that face each other, their distance adjustable by screws on the balls. The brass balls are mounted on parallel rods (adjustable height) attached to a thick brass rod that can be held from a thinner rod attached to its central section; c) two large screws and a wooden piece in the shape of a quarter-section of a cylinder, which are currently held inside a plastic bag
Object number: 2007-1-0171
Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory
Date: after 1885
Accessories: a fabric or oilcloth covered wooden and felt box closed with two hooks
Object number: 1998-1-0817
L. Oertling
Date: 1880-1940
Accessories: fitted wooden block with Eimer and Amend weights; two fitted boxes of weights (mahogany); simple wooden case of small weights with sliding top; weights stuffed in a cardboard box labelled "J.B. Prescott"; miscellaneous parts in a brown cardboard box; one brass dial knob; two identical brass pieces (red, black and brass) of unknown use; a round, flat glass tray that hangs from three strings; additional perforated pan with stirrup; two glass floats in a cardboard box; cylindrical float in a black cylindrical cardboard case; black tweezer; page from Gaertner Scientific Corp., page 4, "T1005. Analytical balance" now in instrument file folder (a different make and model); paper note with following note: Water dispat 60° / 12.3535
Object number: 1996-1-0412
Keuffel & Esser Company
Date: circa 1875
Accessories: pantograph weight (5140b); wooden stands
Object number: 5140a
George Dollond (I)
Date: 1820-1860
Accessories: box (level missing)
Object number: DW0629
Eastman Kodak Company
Date: 1895-1910
Accessories: small metal cup (fount) to hold kerosene, amber and red glass filters
Object number: 1997-1-0863