bent green glass U-shaped tube
Date: 1900-1940
Inventory Number: 3793
Classification: Glassware
Subject:
Seller: Stainforth Antique Shop (1920 - 1950 ?)
Owner: Department of Physics, Harvard University (founded 1884)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
City of Use:
Dimensions:
5.7 x 52 x 27.4 cm (2 1/4 x 20 1/2 x 10 13/16 in.)
Material:
Description:
U-shaped hollow tube sealed at both ends by hollow. Constriction on longer side. Graduated from 0 to 6 and divided by tens on shorter side.
Signedunsigned
InscribedWritten on sticker: Physics Lab from Stainforth antique store 1941 on Beacon St returned 10/21/49
FunctionUnknown, but thought to be some volume/pressure combination apparatus associated with the Physics Department at Harvard.
Historical AttributesThis is one of a number of pieces from the Stainforth Antique Store. In 1941, David Wheatland and I. Bernard Cohen were informed of the existence of some antique glassware in the Stainforth Antique Shop on Beacon Street in Boston. When they went to inspect it, they discovered that it was stamped with numbers which had been used to identify glassware in the Physics Department at Harvard. Evidently, during the renovation of the department, some of the old pieces of glassware were discarded. Since there was no space available to store the glassware at that time, Wheatland did not purchase the pieces from Mr Stainforth until 1949. By this time, Mr Stainforth had sold his shop and it took some time to relocate the apparatus. See the file for further history. Also inventory numbers 3794 and 3795.
Curatorial RemarksIt has the same thick green glass and etched lines as on 3794 and 3795.
ProvenanceFor more information on the provenance of this object, see the extensive details in the Constituent entry of the Stainforth Antique Shop of Boston.
