123. $200
E. N. Welch Mfg. Co., Forestville, Conn., “Admiral Dewey”, ca
1900. Welch made several clock series, usually included a half dozen clocks. This series was their Spanish American War commemorative
series, featuring five Admirals and one battleship, the Maine. We rarely sell these clocks because there were not many made and collectors
have them all stashed away. The pressed oak cases are 24 inches tall and in good original condition including all the wood parts,
the original glass featuring a battleship and other war items. The dial, pendulum, gong, hands, etc. are all original. The dial has
darkened slightly but after all it is 116 years old. Ly-Welch, page 384. $300-$500.
124. $625
Ithaca Calendar Clock Co. reproduction of the “Box Skeleton”,
they made in the late 1800’s. If you compare it to the clock pictured in Ly-Calendar, page 148, you will see there is very little
difference, if any. We have sold some original Ithaca Box Skeletons in recent years for upwards of $20,000, so this would be a bargain
for someone that will not, or cannot, spend that kind of money. For ever more it will be a $20,000 clock in your home until some knowledgeable
person says otherwise. This clock is inside a 24” high, medium oak case, hinged door in front, and glasses on all four sides. The
clock itself is not attached to the case, but is attached to a wood base that slides out of the case. The movement is like the originals,
8-day, running, and striking on a nickeled bell. Admittedly the case is slightly different from the originals in that they were walnut
with ebony trim, otherwise I see little if any difference in the clocks. Ly-Calendar, page 148. $750-$1000.
122. $300
E. N. Welch Mfg Co. double dial calendar clock, “Arditi”, ca 1885. This black walnut case has been thoroughly cleaned, now polished and looks like it just came from the factory. It stands 27” high, it is complete and has all the wood parts and internal parts. There is one large door over both dials and another door inside that opens to the calendar movement, pendulum, label, etc. The paper label on the back of the case is gone but the inside label is intact. The calendar is perpetual and is attached to the back of the lower door, and not on the backboard. The calendar movement is signed by Gale and there is a complete label of operation inside the case, also signed by Gale. All five hands are correct, both dials are surely replacements for they are just too nice. The 8-day movement is signed, running, and striking hours on a coil gong. I pulled the dial off but forgot to take the picture of the nice original movement. I thought this case was a reproduction but the more I checked it I decided someone just overdid the restoration. It is clean as a pin. Ly-Welch, page 62. This model always had a high book value ($1700) but we seem to sell them around $1000. $400-$600.
125. $650
French three-piece marble and bronze set, ca 1890. The typical
round French movement is signed but I cannot make it out. It is 8-day, running, and striking a silver bell on hours and half hours.
The imitation mercury (I assume) pendulum is correct. You cannot tell if there is mercury inside the silver tubes. The clock is 13
inches high, the side pieces 11 inches high. All three pieces are decorated with bronze bands and attached bronze ornaments. The porcelain
dial ring is perfect and the inner bronze dial is signed, probably the same as the movement, but again I am not sure of the spelling.
The clock has four beveled glasses, all very nice, but I do see one miniscule flake on the back glass, really not noticeable. Needless
to say, the marble and bronze pieces are heavy and not apt to slide off the mantel, or be knocked off. $750-$1000.
121. $350
Ansonia Clock Company, Royal Bonn cased clock, “La Bretagne”,
ca 1895. This model was made over 20 years and was one of the company’s best-selling Royal Bonn clocks. It was one of their larger
models, standing 15 inches high and 12.5 inches wide. I always thought it was popular because of the shell and open bridges on top.
Additionally, it just had a great look overall and they used great colors on their cases. This is a very nice clock, typical of scores
we have sold over the years. The inner dial is signed; the outer ring has repairs around both winding arbors, and it is signed. New
dial rings can be purchased from Timesavers. The hands and open escapement are original. The model name and the Royal Bonn insignia
are both signed on the back, in red. The metal back cover is missing, and the pendulum and key are inside. The 8-day movement is signed
and running. Ly-Ansonia, page 616. $400-$600.
126. $400
Seth Thomas Clock Co., Thomaston, Conn., “Parlor Calendar No.
3”, ca 1863. They made this model for several years and even made an almost identical case to sell to the Culver Bros. in St. Louis
for their first calendar clocks they were marketing as “Fashion No. 1”. Similar labels were used on other Seth Thomas and Fashion
clocks. Most of the early veneered clocks had issues retaining the veneer especially on the rounded surfaces. Other than some corner
nicks and an edge chip or two the veneer is really very nice. The dials are painted, not necessarily at the same time and the shading
is different. We assume the calendar rolls are original, but cannot vouch for the hands. The black label is perfect, the door lock
is operational, the glasses look to be original, and inside is an iron bell, brass pendulum bob, and both movements that are original
and operating properly. Ly-Calendar, page 259. $500-$750.
