This is my find (one of them anyway) I found at the National in Louisville. I've seen the 18 size Ben Franklin, but this is the first 16 size I've run across. These were private label for Oskamp-Nolting of Cincinnatti, OH.
The 1910 Oskamp-Nolting catalog lists the 16 size Ben Franklin as available in 17, 21 and 25 jewels, all available in hunting or open face configuration. These are all "Getty" style, with the single exposed winding wheel.
How many of the 21 jewel open face were made? Meggars and Snyder list only two runs;
2,242,101 - 110 Run of 10
2,252,301 - 800 Run of 500
In the first run (of 10) we have recorded 1 example, SN 2,242,104, shown here.
In the second run (of 500) we have recorded 6 examples, NONE of which are Ben Franklin or any other private label.
In a third run, 2,242,121 - 2,242,130 run of 10, which is not listed as being Ben Franklin, we have 2 examples recorded, both of which ARE Ben Franklin.
My guess is that both runs of 10 are Ben Franklin, while the large run of 500 was listed as Ben Franklin in error, or mixed with regular Illinois production.
All known examples listed above are open face. There are two earlier runs of 21 jewel in HC;
1,977,401 - 600 Run of 300, mixed in with Ariston private label. The split between the two private labels is not known.
2,135,401 - 485 Run of 85
We will need more examples of these watches to determine how many were really made. Any additional information about any of the 16 size Ben Franklin would be appreciated.
The 1910 Oskamp-Nolting catalog lists the 16 size Ben Franklin as available in 17, 21 and 25 jewels, all available in hunting or open face configuration. These are all "Getty" style, with the single exposed winding wheel.
How many of the 21 jewel open face were made? Meggars and Snyder list only two runs;
2,242,101 - 110 Run of 10
2,252,301 - 800 Run of 500
In the first run (of 10) we have recorded 1 example, SN 2,242,104, shown here.
In the second run (of 500) we have recorded 6 examples, NONE of which are Ben Franklin or any other private label.
In a third run, 2,242,121 - 2,242,130 run of 10, which is not listed as being Ben Franklin, we have 2 examples recorded, both of which ARE Ben Franklin.
My guess is that both runs of 10 are Ben Franklin, while the large run of 500 was listed as Ben Franklin in error, or mixed with regular Illinois production.
All known examples listed above are open face. There are two earlier runs of 21 jewel in HC;
1,977,401 - 600 Run of 300, mixed in with Ariston private label. The split between the two private labels is not known.
2,135,401 - 485 Run of 85
We will need more examples of these watches to determine how many were really made. Any additional information about any of the 16 size Ben Franklin would be appreciated.
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