39.                   $200

George Hills mirror clock, ca. 1850.  Mr. Hills lived in Plainville CT and made OG-mirror wall clocks like this one using marine (lever-spring) movements made by others (Clockmakers & Watchmakers of America by Name & Place, Spittlers & Bailey).  R.O. Schmitt sold one in 2009 (the only sale I can find) for $1100, so it’s worth a look.  Hills went on to make dials, and the Schmitt clock had a signed dial; however, this one has a Jerome-signed dial to match its Chauncey Jerome lever-spring 8-day, time-and-strike movement (the Schmitt clock also had a Jerome lever-spring movement).  The movement mounts upside-down relative to the clock and dial, but of course it doesn’t matter in a lever-spring movement.  The dial paint looks original, with only minor flaking, and the signature appears to have been strengthened; the hands are proper and period.  The case is 42.5 inches long and everything except the backboard behind the movement is of 1850’s vintage.  The mirror is certainly old, as is the dial glass, but I would guess the latter is a repainted replacement.  The clock is running and striking on an iron bell.  There is no label to help us out, and no direct evidence that it was made by George Hills.  This clock was sold last summer for $250, but the buyer decided not to take delivery and re-consigned it for sale.  $200-$500.