John Bigelow Boston Watch

[ironwood]

Hi,

I am posting this watch in American Pocket Watches because of the John Bigelow connection. The movement is by J. Johnstone of Liverpool. The green label on the inner back cover reads, in part, Bigelow Boston and 62 Washington Street. Does anyone know anything more about this early watch? I am posting this in European Pocket Watches as well.

Thanks in advance.

http://reddogdesign.com/nawcc/johnstone1.jpg

http://reddogdesign.com/nawcc/johnstone2.jpg

http://reddogdesign.com/nawcc/johnstone3.jpg

[Don Dahlberg]

You did not show us the hallmarks. If this is an English silver (or gold) case, it is hallmarked inside of both cases. These hallmarks show the government assay office that analyzed and verified the metal and stamped it with a letter code indicating the date.

You can also see the back of the movement by sliding the blue metal spring so that the wide part of the hold releases the pin and lifting the back off. Seeing the shape of the balance cock also helps to date the movement.

Someone with a copy of Loomes may be able to comment on J. Johnstone of Liverpool.

Don

[ironwood]

Here are some additional pics. The hallmarks on the silver case are English.one looks like an anchor in shield and another is "V. & Co." The date letter mark is a "u" indicating 1835. The standard mark is illegible.

http://reddogdesign.com/nawcc/johnstone4.jpg

http://reddogdesign.com/nawcc/johnstone5.jpg

[Jerry Treiman]

I would love to see a good scan of the watch paper. I have done some research into the Bigelow family. Three Bigelow brothers, John, Alanson and Abraham, started the family business (Bigelow Brothers Co.) in 1830s Boston. Kennard joined the firm in 1845 and the company was Bigelow Brothers & Kennard until 1863. From 1863 to 1972 it was Bigelow, Kennard & Co. I have seen a few imported fuzees custom marked with the Bigelow name but this is the first watch paper. Since it implies that John was working alone it may be from before 1830. My hallmark book indicates that, for Birmingham, the lower case "u" is from 1818.

[ironwood]

The paper is fastened to the inside back cover with a black (almost tar-like) material. The name Bigelow is partly legible, "**GELOW". Also legible is "No. 62 Washington St." and "Boston". Also the words "Watch Tools" and "Watches" and "Materials". George Washington is in the center flanked on the left by an angel holding flowers and what appears to be another angel on the right..

http://reddogdesign.com/nawcc/johnstone6.jpg

[Jerry Treiman]

I dug further into my original notes and found that John Bigelow first came to Boston around 1824 and was a dealer in watches and jewelry, so this paper is probably from 1824 to sometime in the 1830s.

[ironwood]

Is it possible the watch is from 1818 and sold in Boston in 1824 to 1830? Also any information on J. Johnstone of Liverpool?

[Jerry Matthews]

See my reply under European pocket watches.