188.            $1000

Simon Willard & Son mahogany banjo, 1825-1828. Simon Willard helped his son Simon Jr get into the clock business in 1823, making banjo timepieces on which they signed and numbered their dials.  The numbering continued Aaron Willard Jr’s numbering system after Aaron discontinued the practice in 1825; thus SW&S timepieces are numbered between 4400 and 4800 (Foley, Willard’s Patent Time Pieces, page 53).  This one appears to be numbered 4740.  The 34-inch mahogany case (with the modern eagle finial) has a very old and recoated finish with good veneer on the half-round trim pieces; the case and door are numbered ‘22’.  The three glasses are old and probably original, with good original tablets and spotty flaking. The naval battle depicted on the box glass is between the USS Constitution and the HMS Guerriere off the coast of Nova Scotia in 1812, which the Constitution won, giving a boost to the Americans in a war they were losing badly. The dial has been varnished and has yellowed, unfortunately, but the signature and production number are still visible.  It fits the case perfectly, with two L-turns and two pins to hold it in place.  The barbed arrow hands are old and proper but probably not original.  The 8-day brass movement has a T-bridge suspension, a click pawl with a finger latch (not shown) and is mounted by two diagonally placed through-bolts; a matching example is shown in Foley’s book on page 44 under his discussion of S Willard & Son time pieces.  The duck’s bill lead weight is proper and likely original, and it is running nicely.  There is an iron weight shield and a pendulum tie-down.  This clock is all original, with the only apology being the varnished dial.  That can be restored.  SW&S banjos came in a variety of styles, typically selling for $1000 and up.  $1000–$2500.