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Lot Essay
The Whitehurst family clockmaking business was started in 1736 in Derby by John Whitehurst I (1713-1788). He moved to London in 1775 to become 'Stamper of Money Weights' at the Mint in London. A wheel barometer signed by the clockmaker was once in the Percival Griffiths Collection.
After John I moved to London, his brother James continued the Derby business. John II took over the firm at 22 Irongate, Derby (N. Goodison, Barometers, London, rev. ed., 1977, pp. 284-5, pl. 193) and continued to make the angle barometers that had become a Whitehurst specialty.
John Whitehurst II in turn took his son, also John, into the business, trading under the name of 'Whitehurst & Son, Derby' from 1805 until 1846. Whitehurst & Son are known for having been solicited for the execution of Big Ben clock, Westminster.
After John I moved to London, his brother James continued the Derby business. John II took over the firm at 22 Irongate, Derby (N. Goodison, Barometers, London, rev. ed., 1977, pp. 284-5, pl. 193) and continued to make the angle barometers that had become a Whitehurst specialty.
John Whitehurst II in turn took his son, also John, into the business, trading under the name of 'Whitehurst & Son, Derby' from 1805 until 1846. Whitehurst & Son are known for having been solicited for the execution of Big Ben clock, Westminster.