A BRASS BOURDON-PATTERN ANEROID 'METALLIC BAROMETER'RICHARD FRERES, PARIS, CIRCA 1885The 4.75 inch circular open-centred silvered register calibrated in barometric inches, with the ual observations in English and inscribed METALLIC BAROMETER to lower margin, the centre with visible horseshoe-shaped aneroid vacuum chamber connected via counterweighted pivots to a fine rack-and pinion mechanism operating the pointer, the mechanism back bar stamped with RF, BREVETTES S.G.D.G, PARIS roundel over serial number 29985 andPENSE, the cylindrical lacquered brass case with recording pointer to the bevelled glass within moulded surround beneath pivoted spension ring.14cm (5.5ins) diameter, 5.5cm (2.25ins) deep.Provenance: The exhibition collection of Barometer World Meum, Merton, Devon.The firm Freres Richard is noted in Banfield, Edwin Antique Barometers, an illtrated survey as being founded in Paris in 1858. Richard Freres produced barometers for the engineer and inventor Eugene Bourdin who had devised a design of aneroid barometer alongside Lucien Vidie. Both Bourdon and Vidie exhibited Aneroid Barometers at the Great Exhibition of 1851; Vidie subsequently sued Bourdon for the infringement of his Patent. Vidie initially lost the case but was granted an award of 10,000 francs on appeal in 1861 by which time his patent had expired.