142.     $600

Howard & Davis “No. 4 Regulator”, ca. 1857.  Edward Howard and David Porter Davis formed a company in 1842 and, according to Tran Duy Ly, manufactured everything from sewing machines to precision balances.  Soon they were making tower clocks too.  We know them best for the banjo clocks, as found here, that were continued by E. Howard when he took over the firm in 1858.  This is the second smallest after the most common form, the No. 5; the No. 4 is 32 inches long with a cherry case that is grain-painted to resemble rosewood.  The grain painting is remarkably well retained on this clock and is overcoated with a clear gloss.  All three glasses are old; the dial glass appears to be held in with the original putty, the throat glass has been rebacked and is possibly a replacement, and the opening in the tablet glass is larger than is typically seen with H&D banjos and may be a substitution.  The dial is a replacement and the paint is peeling off like rats from a sinking ship; the hands are possibly correct.  My understanding is that H&D dials were paper prints on zinc dials; correct me if I am wrong.  The 8-day time-only movement is signed “Howard & Davis Boston” and is running steadily.  The pendulum stick is a replacement overlaid on a traditional banjo rod, painted gold; the weight is a replacement as is the weight shield.  The replacement dial pan is a weakness here, with some question about the glasses.  Nonetheless, the movement and the case are of some value.  These clocks typically sell for around $1000.  $600-$900.