68.              $700

E.C. Brewster & Co. early round gothic (beehive), ca.1840.  A second example of this rare and early round gothic that uses Kirk’s patent repeating, rack-and-snail strike movement, with brass springs enclosed in cast iron barrels and mounted on a cast iron backplate.  This guy is as original as the day is long.  The rosewood and mahogany veneer on the 19-inch case is cracked and chipped, with some touch-up.  Both glasses are original, with the original putty; the tablet is frosted cut glass, the door key operates the lock.  The wood dial is painted and decorated, with some blistering on the right and two small repairs along the edge where the paint is missing.  The hands are almost certainly original, and unusual.  The 8-day, time-and-strike brass movement is unsigned and too dirty to run; the escapement is loose and needs adjustment to keep the escape wheel from escaping.  There is a lyre base for the wire gong, plain blue wallpaper inside, and no card label.  A wooden dial is highly prized on these rare models, and this is the only one I have seen that has gilt decorations. This clock sold at Cottone’s this spring for $575; AAC sold a Brewster & Ingrahams (second generation) beehive with a plain wooden dial last summer for $1300.  $750–$1300.