Curtis & Clark Early Spring-Powered Shelf Clock, Plymouth, Connecticut, c. 1825, mahogany case with carved columns flanking the painted iron dial signed Curtis & Clark, Plymouth, Conn, Arabic numerals, seconds dial and red and gilt border around the chapter ring, reverse-painting on glass of a Greek revival dwelling, meadow and trees, printed maker’s label inside stating in part Eight-Day Brass Clocks, Made by Curtiss and Clark, Plymouth, Con. This Clock combines advantages over any other Clock made in this country, for convenience. It is made of the best materials, the springs imported from Geneva…., eight-day spring powered brass movement with recoil escapement, rack and snail strike and pendulum, ht. 22 3/4 in.
According to Chris H. Bailey in “Heman Clark and the Salem Bridge Shelf Clocks”, NAWCC Bulletin Supplement no. 13, 1980, pp. 22-26, Heman Clark undoubtedly designed and made the prototype for the Connecticut spring powered shelf clock. An 1824 contract extant outlines the production of 200 of these clocks and few survive today. The present clock is illustrated on p. 25. It is suggested that the painted iron dials were supplied by Boston dial painter Samuel Curtis, maker’s labels printed by P. B. Goodsell of Hartford and cases supplied by Alfred Platt of Waterbury. The present example was owned by the late Kenneth Roberts and was displayed for many years at the American Clock and Watch Museum, Bristol, Connecticut during his tenure as Director.
Condition report
Condition: In-painting on dial losses, losses on painted tablet, case in old surface, label and all mechanical components are original.
Any condition statement is given as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging.
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