thermometer
Date: 1809-1918
Inventory Number: 5603d
Classification: Thermometer
Subject:
Maker: Bernard Cermenati (ca. 1783 - 1818)
Owner: Andrew Nichols (1837 - 1921)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
21 x 4.5 x 2 cm (8 1/4 x 1 3/4 x 13/16 in.)
Description:
A small thermometer consisting of a narrow glass tube with a visible bulb filled with mercury, fixed to a metallic plate with an engraved scale. The scale goes from -60 to 220 degrees Fahrenheit and is marked at several significant meteorological or physiological temperatures: around 32 -- water freezes; around 55 -- temperate; around 76 -- summer heat; around 98 -- blood heat; around 112 -- fever heat; around 177 -- spirits boils; around 212 -- water boils.
Signedon the top of plate: B. Cermenati / Salem
Inscribedon plate, script: Andrew Nichols
FunctionAn atmospheric thermometer with a relatively broad scale. Could probably be used also to measure the temperature of heated liquids by taking it off its mount.
Historical AttributesWas owned by Andrew Nichols (1837-1921), a descendant of Edward Holyoke, former President of Harvard University.
Curatorial RemarksStored with 5601.
ProvenanceFrom Andrew Nathan Nichols, a descendant of Edward Holyoke, former President of Harvard University.
