This clock represents a bit of a deviation from my normal collecting interests, although it does have some connection to Chauncey Jerome (even if it's a bit of a stretch). This is a style of clock known as "Anglo-American", due to its American movement and English-made case. Anglo-Americans, as a class, are visually stunning, with beautiful veneers and ornamentation. This one, however, occupies the plainer end of the spectrum, having no "bells and whistles." At one time, it had the typical "ears" attached to the side of the case. Those are long gone. Normally, Anglo-Americans have horizontal turned elements (like scrolls) that extend below the clock (see this posting for an example). Mine terminates in a flat bottom, which I believe is original, because it's veneered. Without the distractions of the normal flourishes, its simplicity allows you to instead appreciate the graining in the veneer.
The 8-day movement with no maker's stamp is typical of late Jerome or early New Haven Clock Co. movements. The primary feature that distinguishes a Jerome or an early New Haven movement from a later New Haven movement is the shape of the escape wheel bridge, which is necked in earlier versions and tapered in later ones. The tapered escape wheel bridge was introduced sometime in the 1870s. Just to be clear, by Jerome I'm referring to Chauncey Jerome (or the Jerome Manufacturing Co.) and not "Jerome & Co." Many Anglo-Americans have labels identifying "Jerome & Co." as the maker, but these post-date the bankruptcy of the Jerome Manufacturing Co. in 1856. I don't know when Anglo-Americans were first introduced, but I'm inclined to think this movement is a post-1856 New Haven rather than a Jerome. I'd love to get my hands on a copy of Doloff's Evolution of the Anglo-American Clock to flesh out my knowledge of these clocks.
The case construction is on the crude side. In the front view showing the rectangular box, notice the uneven cut across the front. From the side view close-up of the door, it appears that the opening for the door was cut out by first drilling two holes (roughly 3/8"), which perhaps allowed inserting a saw blade to make the cuts. Notice on the hinged side of the door that the corners are nicked off. Those corners were originally mated with the drilled holes in the case. The rectangular door was simply turned 180 degrees so that the holes no longer line up. Whatever kind of saw was used, the blade cut a wide swath, because the gaps are pronounced around the edges. Although not visible in any of the photos, the opening to view the pendulum was also crudely hacked out. The applied garland surround hides the rough nature of the hole.
The upper glass is a wonderful piece of old glass that I believe is original. The dial has been amateurishly touched up. Interestingly enough, even in areas where I'm not convinced there were touch-ups, the numerals are not very refined (a feature I've seen on other round dial Anglo-Americans). The hands are likely original, or at a minimum are appropriate for an Anglo-American. The hinges may not be original, as there's a rectangular shadow peeking out from under the upper one. There is no label, nor does it appear there ever was one. The back of the clock has some pencil notations that may represent a repair or a sales date (likely a re-sale, not original sale).
All in all, a piece that nicely sets off the veneer, but I'm hard-pressed to believe this was the product of a case-making factory. It seems too raw in its construction details. However, I suppose an argument could be made that since most of the crudeness is hidden, the lack of refinement may have been an intentional, cost-saving strategy. Perhaps someone with a copy of Doloff can let me know whether these were the product of small, low volume shops or high volume factories (or both).
[And, yes, that is 70s era shag carpeting. Fortunately, the only room its in is my office. The rest of the house (built in 1924) has beautiful oak floors. I'm sure the office does, as well, but we've never attempted to pull up the shag. Let sleeping dogs lie; even "shaggy" ones!]
Mike
The 8-day movement with no maker's stamp is typical of late Jerome or early New Haven Clock Co. movements. The primary feature that distinguishes a Jerome or an early New Haven movement from a later New Haven movement is the shape of the escape wheel bridge, which is necked in earlier versions and tapered in later ones. The tapered escape wheel bridge was introduced sometime in the 1870s. Just to be clear, by Jerome I'm referring to Chauncey Jerome (or the Jerome Manufacturing Co.) and not "Jerome & Co." Many Anglo-Americans have labels identifying "Jerome & Co." as the maker, but these post-date the bankruptcy of the Jerome Manufacturing Co. in 1856. I don't know when Anglo-Americans were first introduced, but I'm inclined to think this movement is a post-1856 New Haven rather than a Jerome. I'd love to get my hands on a copy of Doloff's Evolution of the Anglo-American Clock to flesh out my knowledge of these clocks.
The case construction is on the crude side. In the front view showing the rectangular box, notice the uneven cut across the front. From the side view close-up of the door, it appears that the opening for the door was cut out by first drilling two holes (roughly 3/8"), which perhaps allowed inserting a saw blade to make the cuts. Notice on the hinged side of the door that the corners are nicked off. Those corners were originally mated with the drilled holes in the case. The rectangular door was simply turned 180 degrees so that the holes no longer line up. Whatever kind of saw was used, the blade cut a wide swath, because the gaps are pronounced around the edges. Although not visible in any of the photos, the opening to view the pendulum was also crudely hacked out. The applied garland surround hides the rough nature of the hole.
The upper glass is a wonderful piece of old glass that I believe is original. The dial has been amateurishly touched up. Interestingly enough, even in areas where I'm not convinced there were touch-ups, the numerals are not very refined (a feature I've seen on other round dial Anglo-Americans). The hands are likely original, or at a minimum are appropriate for an Anglo-American. The hinges may not be original, as there's a rectangular shadow peeking out from under the upper one. There is no label, nor does it appear there ever was one. The back of the clock has some pencil notations that may represent a repair or a sales date (likely a re-sale, not original sale).
All in all, a piece that nicely sets off the veneer, but I'm hard-pressed to believe this was the product of a case-making factory. It seems too raw in its construction details. However, I suppose an argument could be made that since most of the crudeness is hidden, the lack of refinement may have been an intentional, cost-saving strategy. Perhaps someone with a copy of Doloff can let me know whether these were the product of small, low volume shops or high volume factories (or both).
[And, yes, that is 70s era shag carpeting. Fortunately, the only room its in is my office. The rest of the house (built in 1924) has beautiful oak floors. I'm sure the office does, as well, but we've never attempted to pull up the shag. Let sleeping dogs lie; even "shaggy" ones!]
Mike
