Barometers Realm

Negretti & Zambra: The History of an Outstanding Company

Negretti & Zambra was founded on April 24, 1850, by Henry Negretti and Joseph Warren Zambra. The partnership quickly became a leader in the production of meteorological and scientific instruments. One of the company’s earliest major successes was its participation in the Great Exhibition of 1851, where it received the only award for meteorological instruments. This achievement earned the company a Royal Warrant from Queen Victoria, marking a significant milestone in its history.

The company’s founders had diverse but complementary skills. Henry Negretti (Enrico Angelo Ludovico Negretti), born in 1818 in Como, Italy, moved to England at the age of 10. He began his career in London as a glassblower and thermometer maker, mastering the technical knowledge needed to create high-precision scientific instruments. His partner, Joseph Warren Zambra, was born in 1822 in Saffron Walden, Essex, to Joseph Cesare Zambra, an Italian émigré who was an optician and barometer maker. After training under his father, Joseph moved to London, where he met Henry Negretti. Their complementary skills and shared vision led to the establishment of their joint venture.

By the mid-19th century, Negretti & Zambra was expanding rapidly, opening new branches and solidifying its position through participation in international exhibitions. Among their most notable innovations was Admiral FitzRoy’s Storm Barometer, created in collaboration with the British Meteorological Office. These instruments were not only groundbreaking but also widely accessible, serving professionals and general consumers alike.

The company also made significant contributions to the development of aviation and marine instruments, including barographs and deep-sea barometers. Leveraging their expertise and innovation, Negretti & Zambra remained at the forefront of scientific progress through the mid-20th century.

In addition to their scientific achievements, the company diversified into photography. After the relocation of the Crystal Palace to Sydenham in 1854, Negretti & Zambra became the official photographers for the Crystal Palace Company. They produced numerous stereographic images and sponsored notable photographic expeditions, such as Francis Frith’s journey to Egypt, Nubia, and Ethiopia between 1857 and 1860, resulting in over 500 stereographs.

Despite its success, shifts in market demand after World War II and a focus on industrial production led to the company’s decline. In 1985, Negretti & Zambra was acquired by the aviation company Meggitt. However, the legacy of its Victorian and early 20th-century instruments continues, as their craftsmanship and precision make them highly sought after by collectors worldwide.