Description
Brewster & Ingrahams four-post round gothic (onion top), 1845. While this model is not uncommon, the movement in this example was made for less than one year, in 1845; it is the third iteration of Kirk’s Patent Repeating Brass Clock that uses a brass backplate, rather than the cast iron backplate found in previous versions. See Roberts, The Contributions of Joseph Ives to Connecticut Clock Technology, 1810-1862, Figures 116A and B, right panel (pages 254-255), and a comprehensive NAWCC Bulletin article by the previous owner, James Price (see Figures 37-42, pages 431-433; No. 225, Aug 1983). If you could find this clock in any condition you’d be chuffed to bits—and this clock is in outstanding condition. The rosewood veneer has a fine furniture finish, the four ringed finials are likely original, the two glasses are held in place with the original putty. The tablet is cut glass and acid-etched. The metal dial is probably an old repaint, the hands are likely original. The 8-day, time-and-strike movement is running and striking on the wire gong; both springs are brass, and it is die-stamped with the makers. You can see the rack strike in the back of the movement. There is a dark label with some losses inside behind plastic. Schmitt Horan sold a very similar example last year for $550. I’d call that a steal. $500–$1200.
Record courtesy of AntiqueAmericanClocks.com