Y AN UNUSUAL VICTORIAN 'GIANT' MERCURY WHEEL BAROMETER WITH EIGHTEEN-INCH DIAL Duncan, Aberdeen, mid 19th century The 18 inch circular silvered register engraved with terrestrial sphere to centre and signed DUNCAN, 92, UNION STREET, Aberdeen within concentric scale calibrated in barometric inches with the usual observations within cast brass convex glazed bezel, the ebony line-edged case with hydrometer to the swan neck pediment over bowfronted glazed silvered Fahrenheit scale mercury thermometer with cavetto-moulded surmounted upper and lower rails to the tapered upright, the rectangular base with recording hand setting key over rectangular glazed spirit level incorporating fine foliate scroll decoration to the plate and with cavetto moulded underside beneath. 143.5cm (56.5ins) high excluding brass vase finial, 51cm (20ins) wide. Provenance: The Selwyn Demmy Collection. Two makers with the surname Duncan are recorded in Banfield, Edwin BAROMETER MAKERS & RETAILERS 1660-1900 as working in Aberdeen during the mid 19th century, both of whom are probably related. The first, James Duncan, is noted as working circa 1845-65 whilst the second, William Duncan, is recorded as operating from 46 Dee Street in 1841 and then 92 Union Street 1842-49. Condition Report: Tube is filled with no obvious airlocks, the float mechanism etc. is intact and operational however will require setting-up/calibration. The dial/register is in fine condition with no visible faults and the setting hand mechanism is operational. The thermometer is in fine condition. The case is in fine condition with only noticeable issue being a shrinkage crack towards the lower left hand margin of the dial otherwise faults very much limited to very minor bumps, scuffs and other very slight age related blemishes. Condition Report Disclaimer