201. $2000
B.D. Bingham No. 1 Regulator banjo, ca. 1850. Belding D. Bingham was
a clock and watchmaker in Nashua, NH, with his primary interest being watches. He is known for some tall case clocks and large
banjo regulators like this one. The 50-inch refinished mahogany case has one missing piece of veneer, under the head on the
right, not noticeable. This case has some unusual features: the throat cover is hinged and locks with a key, as do the dial
cover and the bottom door; a key is included. The dial glass is modern, the throat and box glasses are old, the lower glass
repainted and has “Willard’s Patent” across the window. The original glass was broken and is identical and is included with
the clock. The dial is period, unsigned, and also states “Willard’s Patent”; the paint is period, with soil, scratches, and
wear. The three hands are also period and presumably original. The large brass plate movement is signed “B.D. Bingham
| Nashua”. It runs 8 days, time-only, and is driven by a brass weight that is unusual but evidently correct, as several other
examples also have brass weights. The pendulum stick is half-round wood, gilded where visible through the throat glass, with
a large, heavy lead and brass bob. It is running without issue. There are two labels of interest, one from an antique
dealer in Bennington VT dated to 1914, and an earlier inked note stating that the clock was cleaned by Aaron Willard, Jr.; well, that’s
remarkable! This clock last sold at R.O. Schmitt in 2018 for $2300. $2000–$3000.
Antique American Clocks JULY 2023
