159.         $350

Wm L Gilbert Clock Co. “Office Drop Calendar”, ca. 1881.  A beautiful clock that is just a simple calendar (the only mechanical calendar part is the date hand), while you move the month and weekday indicator dials with a pin or pencil once a month to rotate them into the correct position – the holes are located in the window showing the month at the top of the dial.  This model is  often referred to as a Maranville, who patented the rotating dials calendar, but this clock does not use the Maranville patent as it uses pins rather than the clock key to rotate the inner dials (a clever way to bypass the patent).   The 30-inch walnut case has burl walnut veneer on the front and carvings in the middle and bottom; the carved crest is missing and the dial bezel is separating.  The finish is old, rough, and dark, and both glasses are original, with a proper silver stencil on the pendulum door glass.  The dial is old, yellowed paper over metal disks (these dials were always paper); I have set it to the current month.  The three hands are as shown in the catalog illustration from 1881 (Ly, Gilbert Clocks, page 85); note the unusual calendar hand that I have seen only once before.  The 8-day time-only brass movement is not signed; it is running strongly and the calendar hand is advancing.  The pendulum is correct and there is a good black with gold lettering label inside on the backwall, as well as on the back of the case.  AAC sold one in 2025 for $750.  $350–$700.