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126.           $200

R. & I. Atkins 30-hour column & splat shelf clock, 1835-1837. Rollin and his brother Irenus formed this company after Anson Downs left their company, Atkins & Downs, a prolific producer of wooden works clocks in 1831-1832.  The Atkins brothers reformed but couldn’t hold on in the competitive business of wooden clocks, and they went bankrupt in the panic of 1837 – the worst financial crisis of the nineteenth century.  What caused it?  Banks giving out too much money (banks could print their own money back then); the economy didn’t recover until 1843.  This 33-inch (long drop) clock has been extensively restored, including I believe, the bronzing on the half-columns and splat, and certainly the beautiful reverse-glass painted tablet.  The glass has been varnished to give the new painting an antique look, as documented on an undated note included with the clock from around 1972.  This clock was a family heirloom with the Irving Wooster Patterson family, from the Carroll homestead in Rhode Island.  There is also a note on the back of the case with this information. The dial glass is old, but likely a replacement; the wooden dial is colorful but has been varnished and has darkened.  The hands are proper and period; the ivory key escutcheon is mostly missing.  The 30-hour time-and-strike wooden movement has been lubricated with graphite and will run briefly, but the strike does not shut off.  There are two period weights and an old pendulum bob; the very dark label is greatly decayed, with considerable losses.  It does indicate the makers, which is confirmed in the note on the back.  This is an interesting clock, and certainly attractive.  Not all clocks have to be original to be wonderful. $200–$400.

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Antique American Clocks                     JANUARY 2025

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