26.            $75

Daniel Pratt, Jr 30-hour shelf clock, ca. 1835.  A previous owner left a story to tell about this clock.  It was purchased in 1990 in Vermont for $220 by James J Lowe of Colchester, VT to replace a similar clock he and his wife, Beverly, had purchased for $11 at an antique shop in Wells, Maine in 1955; they had sold that one in a tag sale in 1966 and regretted it ever after.  Jim and Beverly had a guy named Fred Ringer restore and refinish this clock and put it in good running order, which he then delivered to them in 1991, and for which they were very grateful. I am told Fred is still alive, but I have my doubts about Jim and Beverly, as the clock was not consigned by them.

The 28-inch case is veneered in figured mahogany with a beautiful splat and half-columns on each side; the dial glass and mirror are almost certainly original, and the blue and gold border on the dial glass is a nice touch.  The contoured metal dial is in bad shape; darkened, soiled, chipped, and faded.  The hands are period and possibly original.  The 30-hour time-and-strike wooden movement (by Boardman & Wells, type 9.223) will not run or strike, and if the next owner can find this Fred Ringer guy there may be a warranty in effect.  There are two period weights, an old bob, and a good label inside.  $75–$150.

We do not own these clocks; they were here before us and will be here after we are gone; we are just their caretakers – .