81.              $500

Elisha Manross double-steeple fusee, 1843-1853.  A second beautiful example of a Manross double-steeple, again with rosewood veneer on the front (mahogany on the sides) and clean, polished finish.  The three glasses are period if not original, with spectacular decalcomania tablets.  These glasses are typical of Manross double steeples; the middle glass is an image of Wesleyan College in Macon GA, the first all-women’s college, chartered in 1836; the lower image may be of the ruins of Kirkstall Abbey in England or Melrose Abbey in Scotland.  The contoured metal dial holds the original paint with light discoloration; the hands are proper replacements.  The strap-brass 8-day time-and-strike movement is unsigned, as is typical; it is running, but not strongly, and striking on a wire gong.  Note that the fusee frame differs from that of #80; this one looks like an earlier version.  There is a good label inside.  $500–$750.