Large Victorian Porcelain scale Wall Thermometer by Joseph Long of Eastcheap London

For sale, a large Victorian porcelain scale wall thermometer by Joseph Long of 43 Eastcheap London.

This large fourteen inch scale thermometer measures from 50 to 85 Fahrenheit with painted numerals in red and black. The top of the thermometer is further painted with the maker’s name, J. Long, 43 Eastcheap, London”. The magnificent thermometer affixed to the scale sports a huge inch wide bulb to the base.

The thermometer is completed with a seventeen by six inch French polished oak frame with graduated edge detailing to the inner surround and outer edges.

Little is known of Joseph Long’s business but there is some suggestion that he may have been related to the instrument maker James Long who traded at The Royal Exchange until his death in 1811. Nevertheless, Jospeh Long’s business was formed ten years later in 1821 and was based at 20 Little Tower Street until 1884. Long is most well known for his specialism for hydrometers and numerous examples of these instruments bearing his name can still be found on todays market. The company was evidently successful and he is recorded in 1850 as petitioning alongside Dring & Fage to The Excise Office for their contract following the demise of Robert Brettell Bate’s business. Dring & Fage were the successful applicant having argued their previous good service but Long certainly remained a strong competitor nevertheless.

The company is noted as moving to 43 Eastcheap in 1885 and remained in existence until 1936. It is not known who maintained the company after Joseph Long’s death but the move of premises at least provides some useful evidence for dating this instrument. For additional interest, an image of the premises as it looked in its final period is included to show you where this instrument would have been initially purchased. The building still exists today.

Please note there is a small repaired and stable hairline crack across the scale at the 75 degrees point. It is nothing of concern but mentioned for completeness of description.

Circa 1890.