73.      $250

Ithaca Calendar Clock Co. “Mantel Index”, 1890-1916.  As Joel Warren writes in his bookIthaca’s Clock Makers, around 1900 American fashion was all about the Arts and Crafts movement, which focused almost entirely on oak furniture.  ICCC began making a new line of solid oak clocks, and that included the Mantel Index.  This clock is 28.5 inches tall with a very old and possibly original finish.  Indeed, most of this clock appears to be original equipment, including the paper dials, glass, and hands.  The 8-day, time-and-strike movement is signed by E. N. Welch and states “Made for the Ithaca Calendar Clock Co.”  The wood block attachment inside the top of the case was used in some early Ithaca’s to stabilize the movement; it appears to have been broken and repaired with glue and razor blades(!)  The movement is a bit rusty and runs reluctantly, striking slowly on the cathedral gong on the hours and half-hours; the pendulum bob is a replacement.  The calendar movement is working with the date advancing, but the day and month rollers rub against the dial.  The black painted dial board was used in the early editions of this model; the instruction label on the back is a reproduction.  This model is uncommon, typically selling for $300-$500.