60. $100
Wm. J. Hill cottage lever, ca. 1850. A
maker I have not previously encountered; he is listed in Spittlers/Bailey Clockmakers and Watchmakers of America as working in Bristol
CT (and as stamped here on the movement) but does not appear to have been a significant manufacturer. I found one example on
the Antique Clocks Identification and Price Guide for a lever-movement iron-front by Hill, sold by R.O. Schmitt. This makes
two known clocks by this maker; do you have one? The wooden case is 10-inches tall in mahogany or rosewood with a thick patina;
there is ripple trim on the front and base. The bezel opens with a push-button on the left; the dial glass is old and is held
in place with old putty. The metal dial holds the original paint and a very faint signature that cannot be read; there is a
cutout to view the balance wheel. The hands are mismatched, the minute hand a replacement. The movement is signed, time-only,
and I believe will run 8 days based on the spring size. It will only run for a few seconds right now. There is no label,
and no evidence of a label. $100–$250.
Pat Hagans has suggested that this is a Brewster & Ingrahams clock; a matching case
with a signed B&I dial is shown on page 94 of Ly’s American Clocks, Volume 3. Looking closely at the dial on this clock reveals
a signature that looks like B&I. The balance wheel movement in the B&I clock shown in Ly’s book is unsigned and is similar
to the balance wheel movement in this clock. It would appear that B&I outsourced the movements for this case. I am
indebted to my keen-eyed viewers for keeping me on the ball – thanks Pat!
Antique American Clocks JULY 2023