Barometer (detail), known as a Fitzroy barometer

This photograph shows a detail of the signature on a 'Fitzroy barometer' made in London around 1890. Named after Admiral Robert Fitzroy (1805-65), because the scale uses wording suggested by him, 'Fitzroy barometers' were popular and cheap instruments in the latter half of the 19th century.

This signature in the form of a printed label, gold on black: 'LITTLEWOOD & CO., / SOLE MANUFACTURERS, / LONDON & MANCHSTER, / GLASGOW 34 DUNDAS STREET'.

Fitzroy had been captain of H.M.S. Beagle from 1831 to 1836 when Charles Darwin made his famous voyage as naturalist. After his retirement from the Royal Navy, Fitroy reformed the Meteorological Office between 1854 and his death in 1865. Thomas Littlewood, retailer of this example, started his business in Glasgow in 1868.

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Online ID:	000-180-000-295-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0504: National Museums Scotland Part 2 Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland
Date:	Around 1890
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References:	For Fitzroy barometers, see Banfield, Edwin. Barometers: Stick or Cistern Tube. Trowbridge, 1985, pp 220-233.
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