Images(4)

Brewer's thermometer

Datecirca 1860

Inventory Number5603b

ClassificationThermometer

Subject

Maker J. S. F. Huddleston fl. 1840 - 1860

Owner Andrew Nichols 1837 - 1921

Cultural Region

Place of Origin

Dimensions25 x 6.7 x 3.5 cm (9 13/16 x 2 5/8 x 1 3/8 in.)
storage: 5.5 x 33 x 9 cm (2 3/16 x 13 x 3 9/16 in.)

Material

DescriptionA glass tube with mercury inside mounted on a metallic plate engraved with a scale on a brass frame.

The scale is in Fahrenheit degrees, from -30 to 220 and has several markings with meteorological and physiological important temperatures: around 32 degrees -- freezing; around 55 degrees -- temperate; around 76 degrees -- summer heat; around 98 degrees -- blood heat; around 212 degrees -- water boils.

Signedon scale plate: HUDDLESTON / BOSTON

Inscribedin script on base: A. Nichols / 1860

FunctionThe scale suggests it was either used to determine air temperature or that of heated liquids.

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. The instrument is marked and dated in script: "A. Nichols / 1860".