No.3", ca 1863. The complete paper label
on the inside of the door indicates this
clock was sold and put in operation,
"January 1, 1877". The label is identical
to the labels on the doors of the early
Fashion clocks. Note also the similarity
of this clock to the No.1 Fashion clocks
that were being marketed by the Southern
Calendar Clock Co. in the mid 1870's. As
is the case with most of these early wal-
nut veneered cases, it has some veneer
chips. The original paper dials are discol-
ored and worn. The zinc pans with paper
dials are original, the calendar rolls are
dark, and we would assume, are original.
The glasses are old as are the hands and
all hardware, the brass bell, and both
movements also are original. Signed 8
day movement is running, striking a bell
on the hours, and it still has the original Geneva stops. The key and brass
bob are later replacements. The old case is completely original and stands
27" high. Ly-Calendar, page 259. $600-$900.
clock, "Column Shell Large", ca 1874. This
large clock is also called a triple decker by
some, because it has three glasses. This 32"
high case is covered with mahogany veneer,
everywhere but on the shell half columns.
Bases and capitals are gold, mostly the gold
is original but there may be some new gold
on the right capital. All three glasses are old,
bottom may only be rebacked but I suspect it
is a replacement glass. The middle glass
makes the clock. It sure looks original but
definitely rebacked. The mahogany veneer is
very nice except for a few chips, the bottom
board has several, bottom door has one cor-
ner chip, tiny chips where the door knobs
scrape. Large paper label inside on the back-
board, 90% or more intact, most if not all of
the other 10% I saved for you to glue back. Brass 8 day movement is pow-
ered by two large iron weights, strikes on a coil gong, pendulum, weights,
and key inside. Excellent metal dial has been repainted, correct hands, and
both door knobs are intact. There are wood strips in the case that should be
tacked back around the three glasses. Ly-Seth Thomas, page 512. These big
clocks will sell near $1000 if near perfect. $500-$750.
hanging, oval case. The slick, black
ebony paint, is original and in very
good condition. The one piece
porcelain dial is wonderful, and
note the unusual original hands.
Gold band around the inside of the
oval front, background around the
calendar rolls is also painted black.
A label on the inside of the back-
board gives instructions for the
clocks operation in four languages.
There are many names on the label,
some partial, some complete, none
that I can readily identify. The solid
plate brass movement is unsigned,
at least on the back plate. It is time
only and runs for 30 days. All the
endar movement winds and/or can be adjusted by turning arbors on the
side of the case. An old pendulum bob and key are enclosed. $500-$750.
"Eclipse", ca 1890-1900. We get
more of these shelf and wall clocks
than almost any other ST clock, yet
they do not officially have a name.
Clock people call them "Eclipse"
or "Balltop" clocks, and those
names have stuck. They are very
different from any other shelf or
wall clock that ST made. I suspect
they were made for some company
to give as awards or gifts. On the
inside bottom of each door there is
always a label, this one says, "No.
J. 2652". This clock appears to be
all original including the crusty fin-
ish, good 26½" walnut case, origi-
nal painted dial with some flaking,
very nice original glass, correct
"Eclipse" pendulum bob, and a
good ST label inside. The 8 day
movement with an alarm, is run-
ning and striking a coil gong on the
replaced and two glue blocks have been added behind the top. Ly-Seth
Thomas, page 331. $500-$750.
Conn. shelf clock, ca 1850-
1854. Papier-mache case with
mother-of-pearl inlay and gold
painted decorations all over.
Two pieces of pearl missing at
the top. Original finish on the
wood case, black paint is
crazed but the gold, red, and
green paint has held remark-
ably well. Original paint on the
old dial, bezel with old glass,
not sure if both hands are orig-
inal, but they may be. The case
is 10¾" high, complete and all
original with alligatoring.
Unsigned 8 day movement is
serviced. Movements were made for Litchfield by Matthews, Jewell & Co.
of Bristol. This movement has the unusual Scully or Botsford escapement.
$500-$750.
Conn." hanging "Octagon Drop
Calendar", ca 1861-1866. Gilbert
made this clock using the complex
calendar dial, patented by Galusha
Maranville. The movement was for
a dial which had moving discs that
had to be adjusted manually once
per month with a winding key. This
mahogany veneered slant bottom
case is 24" high, it has excellent
carved side ornaments, original
glasses, a very nice complete label,
and a repainted dial. The wood has
been cleaned and polished reveal-
ing the wonderful mahogany wood
grain. It has three good hands, old
brass bob and key inside. Behind
the octagon board, support pieces
have been added on each side to give more stability to the case. The brass
movement is 8 day, running and striking a coil gong. Ly-Gilbert, pages
81-82. $750-$1000.