Lot 125

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Description:

E. HOWARD & CO. #61 ASTRONOMICAL FLOOR STANDING REGULATOR CLOCK. This clock has an original silvered 14" dial signed "E. Howard & Co. Boston Mass." The astronomical dial has the typical outside chapter ring for the minutes with Arabic 5 minute markers and a black minute marker chapter ring, small subsidiary hour dial with bold black Roman hour numerals and a subsidiary seconds bit with 10 second Arabic second markers with black second chapter ring. The original dial has minor surface stains and fingerprints. The clock has the "No. 3" brass movement with dead beat escapement, "Jeweled Pallets" and isochronous beat adjustment on the top of the verge. The clock has solid brass pulleys, top quality brass weight with oversized hook and four jar "Mercurial pendulum". The pendulum is numbered "286 - 3450". The case has a nice silver beat indicator applied to wood supports. The clock has a fantastic carved walnut case with burled panels, nice soft patina and a lightly cleaned original finish. The case has a hole about half way down the back board for securing the clock to the wall. The original owner of this clock, A. F. Robertson, was a life long craftsman in the art of watch making. In 1861 (at the age of 16) he began to study watch making and engraving under Louis Spaulding (formally with Waltham Watch Factory) in San Francisco, CA. He left California for St. Cloud, Minnesota 6 years later and founded his first jewelry business, A. F. Robertson - St. Cloud. The clock was purchased for this store, in the late 1860's, and the front glass pane at the time read A. F. Robertson. In 1907 he moved to Harlowton, Montana where he commenced the Robertson Jewelry Firm, settling down there until is death. Of his 4 sons, 2 took on the task to run the store, William A. with the help of Ralph L (former mayor at Three Forks, MT). William changed the initials on the front glass from A. F. to W. A., which is how the clock reads today. The family took meticulous care of the clock as it sat protected on a custom pedestal made to safeguard the clock in the store and kept a log of the maintenance. This maintenance was continued and logged by William's niece Betti when he passed in 1971, and then by Betti's daughter (the current owner) up to the present day. The clock has been consigned by the family. The initial owner of this clock, A. F. Robertson, was a life long craftsman in the art of watch making. In 1861 (at the age of 16) he began to study watch making and engraving under Louis Spaulding, (formally with Waltham Watch Factory) in San Francisco, CA. He left California for St. Cloud, Minnesota 6 years later and founded his first jewelry business, A. F. Robertson - St. Cloud. The clock was purchased for this store, in the late 1860's, and the front glass pane read A. F. Robertson. In 1907 he moved to Harlowton, Montana where he commenced the Robertson Jewelry Firm, settling down here until is death. Of his 4 sons, 2 took on the task to run the store, William A. with the help of Ralph L. (former mayor at Three Forks, MT). William changed the initials on the front glass from A. F. to W. A., which is how the clock shows today. The family took meticulous care of the clock as it sat protected on a custom pedestal made to safeguard the clock in the store and kept a log of all the maintenance. This maintenance was continued and logged by William's niece Betti, when he passed in 1971, and then by Betti's daughter (the current owner) up to the present day. 27"W x 94"H x 12"D. Estimated Value $75,000 - 125,000.

    Dimensions:
  • 27"W x 94"H x 12"D

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May 30, 2009 11:00 AM EDT
Pittsfield, MA, US

Fontaine's Auction Gallery

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $2,499 $100
$2,500 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $24,999 $1,000
$25,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000