Antique American Clocks                      January 2020

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88.      $550

Forestville Mfg. Co. picture frame clock, ca. 1842-1849.  A papier-mâché-mother of pearl case, 17.5 inches tall by 12.5 inches wide with gold designs and floral decorations on the picture frame surround and the door frame. I only see one missing piece of MOP, on the door crossbar.  The painted decorations are still quite visible, and the finish overall is good.  Both glasses are old and likely original; the lower tablet has a bright blue background and should have an image of J.C. Brown in the center; I am including a photocopy of his picture which you can mount on a clear plastic sheet and restore him to his former glory in the door.  The painted metal dial is original and retains the JC Brown signature; the signature has been strengthened.  Note the cutout in the lower left corner of the dial to accommodate the door latch, noted on other examples of this model.  Note also that the door knob is ivory.  The hands are very old but not typical.   The ribbed brass 8-day, time-and-strike movement is signed “Brewster & Ingrahams, Bristol, CT USA” and is found in other examples of this clock. It is running and striking.  There is a blackened and illegible label on the back interior.  This clock works as a shelf or wall clock.  There are two examples in the Antique Clocks Price Guide ($850 in 2010, $600 in 2017) and Schmitt Horan sold an additional two last fall ($1100 and $550).   $600-$800.

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