1914-1915 Vintage Historical Saybolt Standard Universal Viscosimeter - Antique

Description

This is one of those VERY rare opportunities to acquire a true piece of American History that reflects both American ingenuity and a demand for an invention that eventually standardized a part of the early American petroleum industry.
This listing is for one of the very first Saybolt Universal Viscosimeters ever made, and was manufactured shortly after George M. Saybolt applied for a patent in 1914, but before his patent was finally issued in 1915.
The nearly identical prototype of this original Saybolt Viscosimeter is being housed by the Smithsonian Institute at the NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HISTORY in Washington, D.C. under: ID Number: CH.316411; Catalog Number: 316411; Accession Number: 223721
Per the Smithsonian Institute, National Museum of American History web site
(
https://americanhistory.si.edu/edu/collections/search/object/nmah_2068
) referenced on 1/11/2020:
"The viscosimeter began as a scientific instrument for laboratory use in the 1830s. In time, due to increased industrial production, demand for quality control, and use of mineral-based oils, it gained real-world importance. The favored form for petroleum products measured the time it took for a certain volume of fluid to empty out of a container. The standard American design was developed by George M. Saybolt, unveiled in the 1880s, and manufactured by the C. J. Tagliabue Mfg. Co. for the Standard Oil Company in New York. It resembled the viscosimeters designed by Boverton Redwood in Great Britain and by Karl Engler in Germany.
Tagliabue brought the basic Saybolt viscosimeter to the open market in 1905. An improved form adapted for steam, gas, or electric heating, appeared in 1914. It cost with a stopwatch, and without. Following Saybolt’s death in 1924, the New York Times implied that the viscosimeter was largely responsible for his 0,000 estate."
There have been a number of technological and educational papers written on the Saybolt Universal Viscosimeter including a 1918 paper written by the Department of Commerce titled:
Technologic Papers of the Bureau of Standards, No. 112 Standardization of the Saybolt Universal Viscosimeter.
The last picture attached to this Ebay listing shows a photograph of the Saybolt Standard Universal Viscosimeter as it was originally used according to a trade catalog from Williams, Brown & Earle, Incorporated which was published between the late 1800's and the early 1900's (Unknown exact year of publication).  This trade article indicated the Saybolt Universal Viscosimter had been adopted by the U.S. Government, the National Petroleum Association, and the American Petroleum Institute as the standard for determining viscosities of petroleum products at the time.  This same article indicated the purchase price of the Saybolt Universal Viscosimeter at the time to be closer to 0.00 (which would be over 00.00 in today's currency).
This Saybolt Standard Universal Viscosimeter is the perfect addition to a museum or display case at any college or university's science and engineering building.  It is both unique and inspiring, and attests to the engineering ability of our forefathers in a time when the horse drawn carriage was just starting to be replaced by the automobile.
Item Description In Detail:
The front plate of this Saybolt Standard Universal Viscosimeter is clearly weathered from its over 100 years of field use, but reads:
"The SAYBOLT Standard/UNIVERSAL VISCOSIMETER / C.H. Tagliabue Mfg. Co. / New York / Sole Sales Agents".  Also clearly stamped on the various parts of this viscosimeter is: "5960 STANDARD UNIVERSAL VISCOSIMETER, GEO. M. SAYBOLT, U.S.A." and "C.J. TAGLIBUE MFG. CO. N.Y." and "PATENT PENDING MADE IN U.S.A." and "4532".
Object Name
Viscosimeter, Saybolt
date made
1914-1915
maker
C.J. Tagliabue Manufacturing Company
place made
United States: New York
Measurements
overall: 14 in x 9 1/2 in; 35.56 cm x 24.13 cm
overall: 14 1/2 in x 13 1/8 in x 9 1/2 in; 36.83 cm x 33.3375 cm x 24.13 cm
This unique Ebay listing includes all parts pictured in this listing.  Many more detailed pictures of this item are available and can be obtained by contacting this seller through Ebay.  The only non-original part on this item is the cork fashioned similarly to the one pictured in the National Museum of American History.  The wooden handle pictured is the original handle.
I welcome all offers, especially those from higher educational institutions and petroleum company's wishing to display this item for others to enjoy.