Description (Physical description)
Description for Z 26429[.1-.11]: 'Large nest of bronze weights. 1773.'
Event Date
Author: maa

Context (Display)
Gunther notes that the greater part of the objects included in his book were also included in the Loan Exhibition of Historic Apparatus in Cambridge, held in the East Room of the Old Schools in June 1936. It is therefore likely, but not certain, that this object was included in the exhibition.
Event Date 6/1936
Author: Imogen Gunn (admin)

Context (References)
Gunther, R.T. (1937). Early Science in Cambridge. Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 28, no. 22
Event Date 1937
Author: Imogen Gunn (admin)

Context (Other)
Sent on loan to the Science Museum in 1946.
Event Date 1946
Author: Imogen Gunn (admin)

Description (Physical description)
Accession Register description for Z 26429[.1-.11]: 'Nest of bronze weights. 1773.'
Event Date 10/8/1978
Author: Imogen Gunn (admin)

Description (Physical description)
One is missing. If the full set is present there should be 11.
Event Date 8/2000
Author: Imogen Gunn (admin)

Context (Analysis)
The Z Register notes that this weight was 'transferred from University Registry, Old Schools' in 1886, referring to the 1886.52 accession. The Accession Register entry for 1886.52 was simply 'A set of thirteen weights and two cubic measures (reign of Queen Elizabeth)', which could have included this weight but there are more than 13 weights that could plausibly be from the 1885 transfer. The ones which are most reasonably secure have now been given records (see 1886.52.1-13), but it is also possible that the original tally was incorrect and there were more than 13 weights; for example, a later, 1888 transfer from the University Library was retrospectively added to the 1886 sequence, becoming 1886.52.16. Therefore ?1886.52 has been retained in the MAA Nos. field, pending further investigation, and the Source and Place made tentative.
Event Date 18/2/2025
Author: Imogen Gunn (admin)

Description (Physical description)
Set of eleven (one missing) nested avoirdupois cup weights made of copper alloy, likely brass or bronze. The set consists of weights for: 28 lb, 14 lb, 7 lb, 4 lb, 2 lb, 1 lb, 8 oz t, 4 oz, 2 oz, 1 oz (missing) and 8 drams. Each cup is marked with their respective weight value on the rim with engraved cursive text, e.g. ‘14tt AVERs’; the largest cup additionally features the engraved date of ‘1773’ and ‘Averdupoize’ spelt out in full. The rim of each cup down to 8 oz also features two square checkerboard stamps and the two stamped royal cyphers of George III (‘GR III’ beneath a crown); the cups for 4 oz, 2 oz, and 1 oz feature one of each symbol on their rim, whilst the cup for 8 drams features one of each symbol stamped on the interior base.
Event Date 19/2/2025
Author: Zahni Blumenthal