448 Antique Chronometric Anemometer by Queen & Co. Philadelphia, model no. 3384. Queen, Co.
Antique Chronometric Anemometer by Queen & Co. Philadelphia, model no. 3384
Antique Chronometric Anemometer by Queen & Co. Philadelphia, model no. 3384
Antique Chronometric Anemometer by Queen & Co. Philadelphia, model no. 3384
Antique Chronometric Anemometer by Queen & Co. Philadelphia, model no. 3384
Antique Chronometric Anemometer by Queen & Co. Philadelphia, model no. 3384

Antique Chronometric Anemometer by Queen & Co. Philadelphia, model no. 3384

Philadelphia & England: Queen & Co., c 1890. Brass anemometer, model no. 3384, marked "Queen & Company, Philadelphia" and "Made in England, with main dial marking feet and 5 smaller dials marking marking from 'hundredths' to 'millionths'. The anemometer measures 6 3/4 x 4 1/4 x 2 1/8 in. (171 x 108 x 54 mm); original wooden case with blue velvet pads for fit and protection, 6 1/2 x 5 1/4 x 3 in. (172 x 133 x 76 mm).

This beautiful instrument, in its original wooden case, was manufactured by James W. Queen Co. of Philadelphia, a premier maker of scientific instruments during the mid to latter part of the 19th century. The best known products manufactured by Queen are the highly sought after microscopes and transits which were sold worldwide. Queen also supplied anemometers, thermometers, aneroid barometers and drawing instruments among a large variety of other scientific products. Anemometers measured the velocity of the air currents in mines and tunnels. Ventilation in mines kept dangerous gasses from building up and causing explosions, and anemometers could measure if the airflow was sufficient to ventilate the mine. Engineers used anemometers to understand the interior air flow of mines. They designed complex ventilation systems with fans and interior doors to keep dangerous gases from building up and causing explosions.

James W. Queen was born to Irish immigrant parents in Philadelphia, PA in 1811. In his early teens, he apprenticed under John McAllister who was the leading scientific instrument dealer in Philadelphia at the time. By 1836 he joined McAllister as a partner in the firm. He remained so till he went into business for himself in 1853. In 1859 he partnered with Samuel Fox and named the new business James W. Queen & Company. James Queen retired from the business in 1870 and died on July 14, 1890. Fox continued the business taking on new partners and by 1877, he had expanded the company into a department store of quality scientific instruments. Items from this period are marked J. (or Jas.) W. Queen and Co. The signature Queen and Co., as shown on this anemometer, began to appear on company products after the company’s incorporation and name change in 1893.

Condition: Near fine.

Item number: 448

Price: $400.00

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