72.            $150

Chauncey Jerome 30-hour steeple with front-loaded springs, 1845-1850.  A 20-inch steeple with mahogany veneer and a clean finish.  There are two period glasses with a frosted cut-glass tablet.  The dial has been touched up extensively; the hands are proper but probably not original.  The 30-hour time-and-strike movement is unusual for the springs being placed in front of the great wheels with wire retainers to prevent their excessive expansion – this allows the clock to run up to three days.  The movement is signed Chauncey Jerome, New Haven, and the well preserved and protected label states the same.  I can’t keep it running and it strikes reluctantly.  AAC sold a similar example in January for $227.  $150–$250.