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188.            $100

Brewster Manufacturing Co. miniature scroll-front, 1852-1854. After Bristol’s largest clock manufacturer, Brewster & Ingrahams, dissolved, Elisha formed a new company, BMC, and after two years turned it over to his son, Noah, who had been an agent with B&I in England.  I believe that Brewster is the only clockmaker to make scroll-fronts; some have decorative gilding on the scrolling, others have door glasses with colored transfers.  The 11.75-inch case is mahogany with a very old finish; the glasses are old but not necessarily original, and probably would have had a colored transfer on the lower glass, and possibly as a dial surround on the top.  The contoured metal dial has very old paint with the Brewster MC name below the mainstem, partially obscured by inpainting to cover chipping.  The hands are period but probably not original. The 30-hour, time-only movement is simple and elegant in design, with a ribbed front plate typical of Mr. Brewster.  It is running like a champ.  There is a very good label inside on the bottom.  These clocks are far from common, with just one that I can find on LiveAuctioneers.  You gotta like the elegance of that movement.  $100–$250.

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Antique American Clocks                     JANUARY 2025

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