264.            $100

EN Welch “Briggs Rotary Unknown No. 3”, ca. 1875.  John C. Briggs patented this clock in 1855 but was not known to commercially produce it.  Patent rights were acquired by GW Brown, who manufactured these clocks around 1863, and later sold out to the Bristol Brass & Clock Co.; Welch manufactured these clocks after 1868 (Chris Bailey, The Briggs Rotary Clock, in Ly, Welch Clocks, Second Edition, page 68).  Model 3, the one shown here, was manufactured around 1875, and is the most common.  The clock is 8 inches tall with the original glass dome; the wood base has a dull finish.  The 30-hour movement sits flat on the wooden base and a vertical post with a wire attached rotates continuously; the silver ball suspended from the overhanging arm engages the wire and regulates its speed of rotation.  The dial is always paper, usually worn, as this one is.  The back of the dial has a wallpaper pattern.  The wood base sits on three cast iron feet and there is a built-in 6-spoked wheel on the bottom of the base that winds the clock.  This clock will run but the wire is not properly engaging the silver ball pin.  AAC sold one in 2023 for $100; Fontaine’s sold one in April for $250.  $100-$250.