Images(4)

drawing room thermometer

Date1860-1890

Inventory Number5603c

ClassificationThermometer

Subject

Maker Charles Wilder 1836 - 1900

Owner Andrew Nichols 1837 - 1921

Cultural Region

Place of Origin

Dimensions21.5 x 4 x 1 cm (8 7/16 x 1 9/16 x 3/8 in.)

Material

DescriptionA small thermometer composed of a mercury-filled glass tube with a visible bulb mounted on a plate with a scale between 0 and 120 degrees Fahrenheit. The plate is attached to a wooden board.

There are several markings on the scale with significant meteorological and physiological temperatures: around 32 -- freezing; around 55 -- temperate; around 76 -- summer heat; around 98 -- blood heat.

Signedon top of plate: Charles Wilder / Peterboro/ N.H.

Curatorial RemarksStored with 5601.

FunctionThe scale suggests its use was to determine air temperature.

ProvenanceFrom Andrew Nathan Nichols, a descendant of Edward Holyoke, former President of Harvard University.

Historical AttributesWas owned by Andrew Nichols (1837-1921), a descendant of Edward Holyoke, former President of Harvard University.