Description

For sale a Spanish market Victorian cased hair hygrometer by Pertuis, Naudet, Hulot & Bourgeois (PNHB).

An uncommon instrument from the famous French company of PHNB usually known for their astronomic output of aneroid barometers, this fine example is comprised of a 4-inch silvered dial divided on the top half for units of humidity 0-100 and with “Sequedad and Humedad” (Dry and Humid) indications at opposing ends. The inner arc of the scale is engraved with “Higrometro de Precision” (Precision Hygrometer) and with the familiar PNHB company logo below. The centre is set with a blue steel pointer with half-moon detail to the reverse end.

The lower half is complete with a curved thermometer divided for units of centigrade 0-50 and has “Termometro Centigrado” (Centigrade Thermometer) engraved above the arc. All remain in good working order.

The dial is enclosed behind a flat glass with brass bezel, and the sides are incised with pretty floral pattern designs all around its circumference in order to allow the passage of air through the instrument. The reverse of the case has a similar floral motif to the centre with the company logo repeated above. An adjustment screw is provided at the Northwest position. It is completed with a brass hanging loop to the top.

Surprisingly little has been written about the Parisian manufacturer, Pertuis, Naudet, Hulot & Bourgeois (PNHB). The company was formed in 1860 by the above-named partners, and they quickly rose to become one of the largest manufacturers and exporters of aneroid barometers in the world. Their early export success may be related to their exhibiting at the 1862 London Exhibition where they are listed under Volume 3 – The Colonial & Foreign Division and it is likely that the company garnered numerous business relationships as a result. Examples of their barometers are numerous amongst the wares of all the best scientific instrument makers of the day. Negretti & Zambra were also importing and retailing the company’s barometers as well as making their own.

Interestingly, the company was listed at the exhibition as Naudet & Co (Cie in French), so it is also likely that the initial partnership was broken up in some way within two years, leading to the convenient (for Naudet at least) belief that the PNHB makers stamp really stood for “Paul Naudet Holosteric Barometre”. However, there are several confusing factors that suggest that not all partners left the concern. In 1867, “Naudet, Hulot & Cie” are referenced in the “Bulletin de la Societe D’Engouragement pour L’Industrie Nationale” after receiving a medal for their enhancements to Monsieur Vidi’s design (whose barometer patent had fallen into the public domain in 1859) through their “Holosteric Barometers”.  

The company’s 1891 catalogue continued to reference this award, printing the Society’s report in full but at this stage, the catalogue states the business name as, “Naudet & Cie” but with the line below stating “Pertuis & Fils” in larger text proving that Pertuis also continued to have a stake in this highly successful enterprise.

We can only surmise at this stage, but it would suggest that Hulot and Pertuis maintained some kind of relationship with Naudet until the end of the Nineteenth Century and Bourgeois was the only partner to have left the company in its the early period. It is certain however that further research is required to untangle this complicated partnership arrangement.

Survival of the company through the Franco Prussian war and the First World War is evidenced through the existence of their catalogues but in 1928 it seems that the company had moved out of the original owner’s hands and had been bought out by a company named Dourde. Like many English scientific instrument makers, the new owners had sought to maintain the goodwill and customer base built up by Naudet and their catalogue’s front page is dual named to “Maison Naudet” and “Dourde successeur”.   

Unlike many of its kind, Naudet (or Naudet Dourde) still exists and continues to make new barometers today even winning the “Enterprise du Patrimoine Vivant” award in 2016. They primarily trade under the Naudet name, so much so that the Dourde name is not incorporated into their branding on their website or on their instruments. A testament to the strength of reputation that this company created in the Nineteenth Century.

Circa 1875