231. $250
EC Brewster & Son four-post round gothic (onion
top), 1855-1859. This firm was formed after a falling out over sales in England between Elisha Brewster and his partners,
Andrew and Elias Ingraham, ending one of the most productive clock manufacturing businesses in Bristol CT. Elisha continued
with his son Noah for four years before turning the reins over to Noah and setting out one last time on his own before retiring at
the age of 70 in 1861. Here we have a 20-inch 4-post steeple with an old and possibly original finish. There are problems
with the rounded veneer on the front and a serious burn mark on the lower right, where someone must have put a candle too close. I would guess both glasses are original, with a well-preserved tablet of Buckingham Palace. The contoured round dial has old/original
paint in good condition and improper replacement hands. The ribbed brass 8-day, time-and-strike movement is signed ‘E C Brewster
& Son’; it is oily, dirty, and rusty, and needs to be cleaned to run for more than 30 seconds. It will strike on the wire
gong. There is a good clean label inside. “Onion tops” are always desirable, and ones by this company are uncommon at
best. $250–$500.
Antique American Clocks JANUARY 2025