152. $900
Ithaca Calendar Clock Co. “No. 4 ½ Favorite”,
1877-1890. This is a beautiful clock. The walnut case is 31 inches tall with ebonized trim on the door, crest, and base. The door glass is original as is the lettering. The black dial board has gold incising and the paper dials are old. This
is one of several models made by the ICCC and marketed by competitors of the Southern Calendar Clock Co. In this instance it
was made for the Lynch Brothers with Elbert McGee and sold under the ‘Favorite Calendar Clock Co.’, as noted on the calendar dial. The ICCC also sold this model under its own name. The hands on the two dials are correct. The interior of the case is
remarkably clean but there is no penciled notation on the bottom regarding lot number or date of manufacture; perhaps this was not
done when the clocks were made for other retailers. The 8-day, time-and-strike movement was made by Welch for the ICCC, as stamped
on the brass movement. It is running after some persuasion and luck, striking on a wire gong, and the calendars are advancing. There was an additional spring in the case, but I don’t know if it needs to be installed or is the old spring; it seems to be running
fine. One small issue, the carved crest does not fit properly onto the top of the case, leaving a gap at each side between the
top of the case and the bottom of the crest. The crest has been broken and repaired, as viewed from the back. Perhaps
it is not the original crest, but it certainly looks period. It may be ‘fixable’ with some carpentry effort, and if you choose
not to, it isn’t very noticeable. Cottone’s sold a similar example last fall for $1600, but prices for this model are typically
closer to $1200. $900–$1500.
Antique American Clocks July 2024