Wm Robinson (1811) Pair Case Style?

[Coalbolt]

Hi all, have this nice Wm Robinson verge hallmarked 1811, just having trouble tracking down the casemaker and ultimately the outer case style that would have been used. Seen a few threads on here, but nothing quite adequate. Also curious about the style of hands that would have been used, as the hands on there now are ones I
just scrapped off an old Rotherhams fusee. Movement is mint with virtually no wear and keeps time within a minute every few days. So well worth the restoration. Bullseye glass on its way. Might be worth having a go at dial repair for this one as well.

Would appreciate any insight into hands/pair case style for this piece. Cheers, Jack.

 

[John Matthews]

This is an example of the work of William Robinson before the signature was used by MI Tobias - see here

Case maker James Richards 15 Ratcliffe Row, City Road London.

1811 Liverpool directory entries

Robinson died in 1819 as noted in his will in the same thread posted by Allan.

John

 

[Coalbolt]

This is an example of the work of William Robinson before the signature was used by MI Tobias - see here

Case maker James Richards 15 Ratcliffe Row, City Road London.

1811 Liverpool directory entries
View attachment 751352 View attachment 751353

Robinson died in 1819 as noted in his will in the same thread posted by Allan.

John

Cheers thanks, and thanks for the redirect, was having trouble seeing if the casemaker mark was JR or IR, seems like its IR then, will probably have to make my own outer case on that note.
Jack

 

[gmorse]

Hi Jack,

...just having trouble tracking down the casemaker and ultimately the outer case style that would have been used. Seen a few threads on here, but nothing quite adequate. Also curious about the style of hands that would have been used, as the hands on there now are ones I just scrapped off an old Rotherhams fusee

The 'IR' is probably for James Richards at 15 Ratcliffe Row, City Road, London.

At this date the outer case, (known at the time simply as 'the case'; the inner case was called 'the box'), would have been fairly plain and was less likely to have the more pronounced hinge joint typical of the 18th century. The crystal would probably have been a plain high dome, not a 'bullseye', but the latter will probably be easier to find now. The box usually didn't have a rotating shutter over the winding hole, the existance of it here suggests that the case has been missing for some time.

The hands on this dial would have been spade pattern blue steel similar in shape to the Rotherhams, but with a little more shape to the hour hand shank, a longer spade, and of course, both fitting the dial dimensions properly.

Might be worth having a go at dial repair for this one as well.

The hairline cracks in the dial can be improved by soaking it in a denture cleaner solution, they'll still be there but much less obtrusive, but the missing areas will be more challenging. Matching the exact shade is difficult, whatever filler you try; acrylic paint will let you mix in tiny amounts of other colours, but it can't be finished to the same gloss as the enamel without applying a lacquer, which isn't really approved of. An epoxy resin adhesive with fillers and colours mixed in can give a better finish, but whatever you do, you'll need to remove the filler that's in there now without damaging the existing enamel.

Regards,

Graham

 

[Coalbolt]

At this date the outer case, (known at the time simply as 'the case'; the inner case was called 'the box'), would have been fairly plain and was less likely to have the more pronounced hinge joint typical of the 18th century. The crystal would probably have been a plain high dome, not a 'bullseye', but the latter will probably be easier to find now. The box usually didn't have a rotating shutter over the winding hole, the existance of it here suggests that the case has been missing for some time.

The hands on this dial would have been spade pattern blue steel similar in shape to the Rotherhams, but with a little more shape to the hour hand shank, a longer spade, and of course, both fitting the dial dimensions properly.

Thanks appreciate it, the significant wear on the box plus the haphazardly riveted winding hole shutter must mean the case was lost to history long ago, must be time to go ebay hunting again hahaha, cheers.

 

[PapaLouies]

A bit of history.
P/L

 

[Coalbolt]

A bit of history.
P/L

Awesome thanks

 

[Allan C. Purcell]

A bit of history.
P/L.

That is a very nice piece of History PlL. All it needs is the correction at the bottom of the first page.
Were you tell us "There is no mention of a business of Watchmaking or Clockmaking in his will"

When on the first line of his will, William Robinson says, "I William Robinson, watchmaker of Liverpool"

Just a small correction would improve your letter.

Another Piece of history, it is true that Robison did not want his daughter to marry Richard Hornby, but the facts are that Frances ignored her father's will, and all the mentioned properties were quoted in Richard Hornby´s Will. The facts are they had a very good marriage, and brought up two sons, who in the end had the properties shared between them, the eldest son Gerrad carried on the business, and the other son William (Named after his grandfather) was a bookkeeper.

Allan.