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Summary:: Platinum iridium troy pound weight. Primary standard pound weight for Victoria, 1864.

The weight was initially held by the Victorian Customs & Excise Department at the Customs House in Flinders Street, Melbourne. At Federation in 1901, when customs functions were transferred to the Commonwealth Government, the standards were transferred to Melbourne Observatory, which took over responsibility for administering weights and measures for Victoria. With the closing of Melbourne Observatory in 1944, a Weights and Measures Branch of the Victorian Government took over responsibility.
Description:: Platinum iridium weight in wooden hinged box, with ivory lifter.
Acquisition Information:: Transfer from Victoria: Local Government Department Office of Trade Measurement (formerly Weights & Measures Branch)

Discipline:

Technology

Tagged with:	meteorology, physical apparatus instruments, platinum metals compounds, standard weights measures, weights
Themes this item is part of:	Weights & Measures at Melbourne Observatory, Melbourne Observatory Collection, Domestic & Community Life Collection, Science & Measurement Collection, Working Life & Trades Collection, Positional Astronomy at Melbourne Observatory, Melbourne Observatory & Standard Time in Victoria, Astrographic Catalogue, Transits of Venus, 1874 & 1882, Buildings at Melbourne Observatory, Star Observations & Personal Equation, Meteorology at Melbourne Observatory, 1863-1908, Melbourne Observatory, 1863-1944, Geodetic Survey of Victoria, 1858-1872
Primary Classification:	COMMERCE & RETAILING
Secondary Classification:	Weights & Measures
Tertiary Classification:	standard weights
Inscriptions:	Weight marked on top: 'Primary Standard Pound Troy, Victoria 1864.' Stamped on bottom '1888'. Box painted on top: 'Primary Standard Pound Troy, Victoria 1864', with smaller inscription '126'.
User:	Victoria: Customs & Excise Department, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1864-1901
User:	Melbourne Observatory, South Yarra, Victoria, Australia, 1901-1944
User:	Victoria: Weights & Measures Branch, South Yarra, Victoria, Australia, 1944-1984