148.           $400

Wm. L Gilbert Clock Co. “Elberon”, ca. 1901.  One of two shelf and four wall calendar clocks by Gilbert that use McCabe’s Patent calendar mechanism.  These clocks look great but I’ve never had much success with the calendars.  This refinished oak case is just under 32 inches tall with all the ornaments in place; the back right side panel is loose but not a problem.  The door glass is original with good retention of the applied image of a group of pheasants; there is light lifting of the black backing from the glass and it may have been touched up in places. The brass dial bezel is polished and the paper dial clean with little wear, the hands are likely original.  The day/night indicator hand that sits over the inner ring is missing, not uncommon, and not all models used this indicator, which simply facilitates adjusting the calendar advance time.  The 8-day, time and half-hour strike brass, spring-driven movement is signed and running, striking on a Gilbert cathedral gong.  It is difficult to test the calendar mechanism, but it can be advanced by lifting and dropping the lift rod on the inside right of the case.  I would not guarantee that it will function properly through the clock mechanism. There are extensive and well-preserved black labels on the inside of the case and the back of the door; there is also a model label on the back of the case.  A fancy Gilbert pendulum completes the assembly.  AAC has sold three Orientals, a similar model, for an average of $592.  $400–$600.