Posted 8 years ago
momnme99
(2 items)
I came across this at an estate sale and am curious as to what it is. It's 10" long, 1 3/4" wide. Case is wood with glass cover that isn't removeable. It's clearly stamped TIFFANY STUDIOS NEW YORK. Numbers start at 0 to 150. Very interesting piece and have asked several persons what it is and everyone is stumped. There is fluid in the tube. Hope someone can help me
The labels are accurate. I just don't understand their real purpose ?
It's a Fahrenheit thermometer. That's mercury in the tube.
Am sure it is a thermometer but very curious what it was used for. Most thermometers only go to 120.It doesn't look like mercury.It's an oil like liquid with a bubble in it. I'd like to have some information on it's purpose. Thank you for your reply
Like all gauges, thermometers tend to be more accurate in their middle ranges. Thermometers that only go to 100-120 degrees may be less accurate when it gets really hot as it did in summer before air conditioning was common. The extended range of 150 degrees assured that it was accurate in the 100 degree range (because if you're going to be miserable you want to know exactly HOW miserable you are - oy vey, it's HOT!). With its fancy wooden case this would have been - when new - a classy looking, high-end household thermometer. Like everything Tiffany it is simply a better thermometer than your neighbor bought at the Bon Ton. The "blood heat" and other markings are just things they put on thermometers in the early 20th C.
Luv your wording Ron ! "--to know exactly HOW miserable you are --". Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Tiffany just try to purchase high quality item & didn't manufacture themselves. "Blood heat" is simply body temperature. Right ?
We very seldom see 100 F in the Islands.
Thank you so much for the info! I definitely appreciate it.