609.   $1500

Welch, Spring & Co. “Gale Drop Calendar No. 2”, ca. 1880.  There were at least three models of this complicated clock made, as described starting on page 48 of Ly’s book Calendar Clocks.  However, it appears that parts were often mixed, either at the factory or in Bubba’s shop later.  This one contains an unsigned No. 2 movement and a repainted dial that matches the movement (note the opening on the year dial to view the leap year indicator) but was painted to match the No. 1 dial shown in the 1880 catalog illustration (it lacks the sunrise and sunset times on the year dial).  Why the paint is so crackled is unclear to us; Ly says that No. 2’s and 3’s typically had paper dials that included sunrise and sunset times.  The glass is a No. 1 design, looks original but has been rebacked.  Even the pendulum bobs differed between models; this one has a No. 1 bob.  The faded label inside is appropriate to both Model 1 and 2.  The calendar hands are correct but the time hands are replacements. Incidentally, the dial tells you the time, date, day, month and – bonus – the moon’s monthly age in days.  Setting all these hands is complicated but is described in Ly’s book.  The 28-inch case is rosewood veneer with grain-painted bezels; the dial glass is old, the base may possibly be a very old replacement.  The 8-day time-and-strike movement is running vigorously, striking and keeping time, and the calendar hands are advancing.  Your challenge will be to set them correctly.  We sold a No. 2 in similar condition in 2014 for $2800, and a very nice No. 1 in 2017 for $3650.  $2500-$3500.