![img_28-5.jpg](https://gazette-eu-west2.azureedge.net/media/89058/img_28-5.jpg?width=750&height=500&mode=max&updated=02%2f20%2f2023+12%3a26%3a29)
Victorian ‘weather station’ by James Henry Steward gifted to Thomas Sopwith, estimate £1500-2000 at Dreweatts.
Made by the London maker James Henry Steward of the Strand and Cornhill, the 2ft 3in (68cm) wide instrument includes a timepiece, thermometer, barometer and a paper roll and pencil to record changes in barometric pressure and carries a silver presentation plaque indicating it was a gift from the Institute of Civil Engineers in 1873 to Thomas Sopwith (1803-79).
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Portrait of Thomas Sopwith offered together with the Victorian ‘weather station’ by James Henry Steward gifted to him, estimate £1500-2000 at Dreweatts.
Pictured above in an oil on canvas portrait (included with the lot) by W Robert Dickinson, Sopwith initially worked with Richard Grainger in the redevelopment of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and later as a railway engineer assisting Robert Stephenson with the creation of the French railway network and surveys for the construction of the Sambre-Meuse Line in Belgium.
His grandson, also called Thomas, founded the Sopwith Aviation Company based at Brooklands.
Estimate in the auction of Fine Clocks, Barometers and Scientific Instruments on March 7 is £1500-2000.