Jerome Steeple Clock

[sylvester12]

Just picked this Jerome Steeple clock up today. Would love to get some more info on it, date etc.

 

[Jerome collector]

You have the 8-day, Sharp Gothic model, made by the New Haven Clock Co., using the trade name "Jerome & Co." According to Snowden Taylor, the tapered escape wheel bridge was introduced sometime in the 1870s. Not that you're ever likely to use it, but it looks like the external alarm is missing a few teeth on one of the gears. You certainly shouldn't attempt to run the alarm without getting that fixed.

 

[sylvester12]

You have the 8-day, Sharp Gothic model, made by the New Haven Clock Co., using the trade name "Jerome & Co." According to Snowden Taylor, the tapered escape wheel bridge was introduced sometime in the 1870s. Not that you're ever likely to use it, but it looks like the external alarm is missing a few teeth on one of the gears. You certainly shouldn't attempt to run the alarm without getting that fixed.

Thanks for the information regarding this clock, and good catch on the alarm mechanism it definately has issues. Little curious why New Haven would make clocks and use the Jerome trade mark, was it Jerome's design?

 

[Jerome collector]

The various incarnations of "Jerome & Co." are far too complicated to explain in a message board post. And I'm not sure we really know the exact relationships of all of the companies or uses of the name. Some "Jerome & Co." labels were products of Chauncey Jerome's partnerships, but the vast majority were not. Regardless, it is known that the New Haven Clock Co. used "Jerome & Co." on clock labels for many years. Many of these clocks were intended for the foreign market, where Jerome's name was well known. The New Haven Clock Co. was formed in 1851 (incorporated in 1853) by Hiram Camp, Chauncey Jerome's nephew and former factory foreman. The company originally supplied movements to Jerome. In 1856 the company started acquiring the assets of the bankrupt Jerome Manufacturing Co.; a process that was completed in 1857. Jerome died in 1868, so he could not have claimed any rights to the name with respect to a clock made in the 1870s.

Others are welcome to correct me or to flesh out some of the details. The Jerome & Co. story is a very confusing one.

 

[Andy Dervan]

Hello,

Jerome & Co. was well known trade name particularly in UK, so many clocks were exported there.

Andy Dervan