Rare Caesar Altria Hydrometer Bubbles Set, Aberdeen, Scotland, Early to Mid-19th Century. The inside of the lid affixed with a paper label printed Correcteo/ Bubbles made by/ CAESAR ALTRIA/ John Street/ Aberdeen," signed "J.G. Sc," with hollow numbered glass spheres (spirit bubbles) that float or sink to gauge specific gravity ; housed in a mahogany treen case.

H: 1.5 in., Diam: 3.5 in.

Spirit bubbles were used by the brewing industry to measure liquid density or alcohol strength. The instruments were often made by glassblowing families of northern Italy who moved to Britain to make scientific and optical instruments.

Provenance: Hollis E. Brodrick, Art & Artifacts of Early America, Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

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