49.                  $600

John Birge double-steeple fusee, ca. 1848.  The Birge & Fuller firm dissolved in 1848 and John Birge worked on his own for a year or so; this 8-day fusee-steeple was made during that time (based on the label) but note that the movement is die-stamped Birge & Fuller.  The 26.5-inch case is veneered in figured mahogany with no noticeable chips or repairs and a beautiful finish; the cone finials are undamaged. The three glasses are old but I’m not certain if the clean frosted tablets are original.  The dial is not original to the case (there are filled winding holes) and has been repainted; the hands are correct.  The 8-day, time-and-strike, double-fusee movement is running and striking on a wire gong.  There is a worn label on the back wall.  There are several penciled notations on the back of the doors; B.W. Ware learned to tell time on this clock and died in Bowling Green MO in 1914.  AAC sold a similar example in January for $1000.  $600–$1000.