apparatus for liquefying gases?
Date: 1850-1854
Inventory Number: 1996-1-0353
Classification: Air Pump Accessory
Subject:
Maker: Accum & Garden (fl. 1808 - 1820)
Supplier: Chamberlain & Ritchie (fl. 1850 - 1854)
Cultural Region:
Dimensions:
37.5 × 26.5 × 36.5 cm (14 3/4 × 10 7/16 × 14 3/8 in.)
Accessories: glass vessel with stopcock
Description:
A wooden board, supported by three turned feet (one missing), has on top a heavy metallic cylinder painted green. Inside the cylinder is an inverted container with a spout on top. The spout goes into the brass stopcock on the glass vessel, the latter made to slide into the metallic cylinder. There is a hole on the board, which may have been made for a hand air pump.
Signedon plaque: ACCUM & GARDEN / CHEMISTS / OLD COMPTON / SOHO / LONDON
outside cylinder, painted: CHAMBERLAIN / & RITCHIE. / BOSTON
outside cylinder, painted: CHAMBERLAIN / & RITCHIE. / BOSTON
FunctionThis device was most likely used to liquefy gases by air pressure. A hand air pump, fixed on the board besides the metallic cylinder, would have been used to pressurize the gas until it turned into a liquid.
Curatorial RemarksThis instrument is interesting because it could demonstrate the longevity of instrument design and of an instrument's life. Accum & Garden, as far as could be determined, did not flourish later than the early 1820s. Yet, Chamberlain & Ritchie formed their partnership in the middle of the century, about 30 years later.
On the other hand, this instrument could help us determine a better set of dates for Accum & Garden. After all, Fredrick Accum died in 1838. So it is entirely possible that the firm stayed in business longer than the 1820s, though no document has yet proven this assertion. This instrument could thus be a hint.
On the other hand, this instrument could help us determine a better set of dates for Accum & Garden. After all, Fredrick Accum died in 1838. So it is entirely possible that the firm stayed in business longer than the 1820s, though no document has yet proven this assertion. This instrument could thus be a hint.