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Lot 127
A Fine Quality Wooden Ship Builder`s Model of the Turret Deck Steamer "Inverness", painted in black and maroon, with fine deck detailing including four lifeboats, single funnel, twin masts with string rigging, nickel plated railings and vent funnels, the whole raised on two baluster pillars issuing from a plinth in a glazed mahogany case with fluted turned pillars, set with two ivorine plaques inscribed `Turret Deck Steamer "Inverness", 6100 tons. D.W., Built and Engined by William Doxford & Sons Limited., for the Sutherland Steam Ship Company Limited.` , 126cm long, with plans and relevant papers
Lot 139
Mixed Diecast, including boxed Corgi `Roger Clark`s` Ford Capri No.303, boxed Corgi Mercedes-Benz 240D Taxi No.411, boxed Dinky Galactic War Chariot No.361, boxed Dinky Bell Police Helicopter No.732, boxed Tekno wagon, boxed Matchbox Passenger Coach & Horses, Matchbox Detroit Chevy, four empty Dinky boxes - 531, 564, 225 & 404 and 1980`s Corgi commercials in damaged boxes. (2)
Lot 191
Forty Six Boxed Corgi Diecast Vehicles, including two limited edition Bedford Southern National Coaches, three limited edition commercial vehicle sets, Alpine Rally Set, two Bash Street Kids Sets, Weetabix Special Edition, Transport of the 30`s, Queen Mother Centenary Tram, Devon Bus Set, Precision Cast Classics, Corgi Classics, Cars of the 1950`s etc., in two boxes.
Lot 253
A Collection of Railway Books, Booklets and Magazines, including Locomotives of the GNR by G.F.Bridges 1903, Survey of the GWR Engine Sheds 1947, publications by O.S.Nock, Ordnance Survey maps, magazines including Railway Magazine, Modern Railways and Trains illustrated from the 1940`s to 1960`s etc., in three boxes and a case.
Lot 1
An 18 inch terrestrial library globe on mahogany tripod stand Charles Smith and Son, London, early 19th century The sphere applied with twelve hand-coloured gores heavily annotated with states, cities, topographical features and voyages of discovery, the Pacific with analemma and trade cartouche SMITH`S TERRESTRIAL GLOBE, Containing the whole of, THE LATEST DISCOVERIES, AND, Geographical Improvements, also the TRACKS of, the most celebrated Circumnnavigators, LONDON, C. SMITH & SON, 172 STRAND pivoted via the poles within a brass meridian circle with hour ring, in a stand with horizon ring annotated with months of the year, signs of the zodiac and equation of time, the mahogany tripod stand with short turned upright issuing three down curved supports with spade feet and brass cup castors, (compass stretcher lacking, some wear and other damage), 104cm (3ft 5ins) high overall. Charles Smith and Son are recorded as working from 1799 to 1864, they were map publishers and engravers to the Prince of Wales.
Lot 2
An 18 inch terrestrial library globe on mahogany stand W. and T.M. Bardin, London, originally published 1798 The sphere applied with twelve hand-coloured gores heavily annotated with states, cities, topographical features and voyages of discovery, the Pacific with analemma and distressed trade cartouche inscribed To The R`t Honourable, SIR JOSEPH BANKS BART K.C., President of The Royal Society, This... British Terrestrial Globe... Additions to 1807... the South Pole further annotated Published 1 Feb. 1798 by W. & T.M. Bardin, 16 Salisbury Square, Fleet St., London formerly pivoted via the poles within a brass meridian circle with hour ring, in a stand with horizon ring annotated with months of the year, signs of the zodiac and equation of time, the stand with four baluster turned supports united by stretchers, (globe and horizon ring to stand seriously distressed with significant losses), 66cm (2ft 2ins) high overall. Thomas Bardin joined his father William in partnership after the latter`s previous partner, Gabriel Wright, died in 1783. The partnership is recorded as being in business up to 1798, with some subsequent manufacture of later editions of their 18inch globe probably carried out by W. and S. Jones.
Lot 5
A fine George II Culpeper-type microscope in style of Matthew Loft Unsigned, circa 1740 With sliding brass shutter to eyepiece and threaded two-piece moulded lignum vitae top section above gilt-tooled green vellum covered inner tube (annotated in ink corresponding to positions for focal strengths) sliding into the rayskin covered bodytube and fitted with objective lens to lower section, the whole raised on three slender diamond-section scroll-shaped gilt brass supports fitted with shaped specimen stage applied with rotating ten-hole specimen plate and centred with an oculus, the supports terminating with cylindrical feet secured via screws through lozenge-shaped flanges onto the ogee-moulded ebonised wood base applied with a pivoted mirror to centre, and with drawer containing five objective lenses and an ivory specimen canister to apron, 40cm high unextended. Provenance: The estate of a deceased collector. Purchased Sotheby`s INSTRUMENTS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, Olympia, London, 28/05/2003 lot 90. Closely related instruments by Matthew Loft are illustrated in Clay & Court The History of the Microscope pages 118 and 120, further similar examples are also illustrated in L`E. Turner, Gerald Collecting Microscopes page 41 and The Great Age of the Microscope (by the same Author) on page 36. The slender diamond section one-piece supports with turned feet and lozenge shaped fixing plates are feature normally associated with instruments from Loft`s workshop.
Lot 6
A George III brass Cuff-type compound microscope Thomas Ribright, London, late 18th century The body-tube with knurled edges to threaded sections and resting in the ring terminal of an arm from the vertical pillar support, with fine screw focus adjustment (the pillar engraved with annotations relating to positions of focal strength) and with locking screw to sliding piece, the concave-sided square stage signed THOMAS REBRIGHT, LONDON, FECIT and with oculus to centre, the upright continuing down into a rectangular section sleeve with scroll-outline bracing bracket to rear and shaped fixing plate for the concave moulded mahogany base, applied with pivoted plano-concave mirror and with apron drawer enclosing fitted interior with six objectives, a part compressor, specimen clamp and other accessories, with original oak pyramid-shaped box with brass ring handle to the turned top and apron drawer for slides, the instrument 34cm high unextended, the box 44cm high overall. Provenance: The estate of a deceased collector. Purchased Christies Scientific and Engineering Works of Art, Instruments and Models South Kensington 28/05/1998 lot 117. Probably by Thomas Ribright II who is recorded in Clifton, Gloria Directory of British Scientific Instrument Makers1550-1851 as working 1783-1806. The design of the current lot was developed by John Cuff in the early 1740`s as an improvement over standard models of the period in particular with regards to focussing.
Lot 7
A fine George III brass Cuff-type compound microscope Unsigned, early 19th century The moulded body-tube with knurled edges to threaded sections and resting in the ring terminal of an arm from the vertical pillar support, with fine screw focus adjustment (the pillar engraved with annotations relating to positions of focal strength) and with locking screw to sliding piece, the concave-sided square stage with oculus to centre, the upright continuing down into a rectangular section sleeve with scroll-outline bracing bracket to rear and shaped fixing plate for the concave moulded mahogany base, applied with pivoted plano-concave mirror and with apron drawer enclosing fitted interior with six objectives, specimen clamp and other accessories, with figured mahogany pyramid-shaped box with lacquered brass handle to the moulded top and on squat bracket feet, the instrument 36cm high unextended, the box 46cm high overall. Provenance: The estate of a deceased collector. Purchased Sotheby`s Instruments of Science and Technology London, 09/11/1999 lot 420. The design of the current lot was developed by John Cuff in the early 1740`s as an improvement over standard models of the period in particular with regards to focussing.
Lot 8
A fine Regency lacquered brass `Jones`s Most Improved` pattern compound microscope Dollond, London, early 19th century The moulded sighting tube with knurled edges to the threaded sections and with rotating six-lens objective plate, screw-fitted at the objective end to an adjustable arm clamped to the top of the square section limb upright, the rectangular eared stage mounted via rack and pinion (for focussing) above condenser and pivoted plano-concave mirror substages mounted via sliding collars to the lower section of the limb, mounted via hinge joint on a columnar upright with folding tripod base signed Dollond * London, the instrument disassembling into a fitted mahogany box with accessories including frog-plate, brass slider, bulls eye lens etc (some minor components lacking, box with some damage to exterior), the instrument 45cm high assembled, the box 34cm wide. Provenance: The estate of a deceased collector. Purchased Phillips, Edinburgh 30/03/1993 lot 106. Peter Dollond was born 1730 and died 1820. He was the son of John Dollond, a Huguenot silk weaver, and started business as an optician at the age of twenty in 1750. He was joined by his father in 1752 until the latter`s death in 1761 and then by his brother, John, until his death in 1804. The family business was continued by Peter Dollond`s nephew, George Huggins, who subsequently changed his surname to Dollond. Peter Dollond was appointed optician to George III and the Duke of York and the workshop was renowned for producing high quality instruments. The design of the current lot was originally conceived by George Adams II in the latter years of the 18th century, however after his death in 1795, his stock and rights were bought by the brothers William and Samuel Jones who modified the design slightly and marketed it as their own.
Lot 9
A fine George III Brass Cuff-type compound chest microscope Dollond, London, circa 1800 The moulded body-tube with knurled edges to threaded sections and resting in the ring terminal of an arm from the vertical pillar support above concave sided stage mounted via rack and pinion for focus adjustment (the pillar engraved with annotations relating to positions of focal strength) and signed DOLLOND LONDON, with pivoted substage plano-concave mirror beneath and attached at the base via substantial brass hinge joint to one end of the fitted mahogany box containing a comprehensive selection of accessories including six objectives, subject forceps, substage cone, three large and seven small bone sliders and other accessories (a few minor components lacking), the box 28cm wide, the instrument 35.5cm high assembled. Provenance: The estate of a deceased collector. Purchased Christies SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS South Kensington, 04/12/2004 lot 153. Peter Dollond was born 1730 and died 1820. He was the son of John Dollond, a Huguenot silk weaver, and started business as an optician at the age of twenty in 1750. He was joined by his father in 1752 until the latter`s death in 1761 and then by his brother, John, until his death in 1804. The family business was continued by Peter Dollond`s nephew, George Huggins, who subsequently changed his surname to Dollond. Peter Dollond was appointed optician to George III and the Duke of York and the workshop was renowned for producing high quality instruments. The design of the current lot was conceived by Edward Nairne around 1765 to improve the portability and of the Cuff pattern microscope. The hinged base joint also allows positioning of the instrument to maximise reflected light and makes the instrument much easier to handle.
Lot 23
Two verge pocket watch movements Edward East, London, circa 1695 and John Holmes, London, circa 1770 The former full-plate with four square section baluster pillars, elaborately pierced balance cock, silvered regulation dial and signed Edw. East, London to backplate (dial and all under-dial work lacking) diameter 4.2cm, the latter also full-plate with four square section baluster pillars, delicate foliate pierced backcock, silvered regulation dial and signed Jno. Holmes, Strand, London, 4840 to backplate (dial cracked, balance staff pivot broken) diameter 3.1cm, (2). Edward East, born in Southill Bedfordshire in 1602, had certainly the longest and perhaps one of the most distinguished careers in the English clockmaking during the `Golden Period`. He was appointed as one of the first Assistants of the Clockmakers Company (a year after the charter was granted by Charles I in 1631) later becoming master twice in 1645 and 1653, in November 1660 he was appointed chief clockmaker to the King. During the latter years of his career it is probable that East allowed the workshop (which now employed several masters and many apprentices) to essentially run itself. The watch in the current lot was probably made in the workshop at around the time of his death in 1696. John Holmes is recorded in Baillie G.H. Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World as working from The Strand (Somerset House) 1762-1815. He had an interest in the development of early marine timekeepers (Baillie notes him as being an expert on Mudge`s marine chronometer) and is particularly known for his restrained precision longcase clocks.
Lot 25
* A brass-bound rosewood cased two-day marine chronometer John Bliss & Co., New York with movement attributed to Victor Kullberg, London, late 19th century The 3.25 inch four-pillar full-plate movement with reversed fusee, Harrison`s maintaining power, finely spotted backplate and blued-steel spring set up ratchet, the Earnshaw type spring detent escapement with bimetallic balance with cylindrical compensation weights and palladium helical balance spring, the movement frontplate stamped 2999 to inside surface, the 3.75 inch circular silvered Roman numeral dial with subsidiary seconds and power reserve dials and signed JOHN BLISS & CO. New York, No. 2999 to centre, with gold hands and blued steel pointers for the subsidiary dials, set in a lacquered brass bowl stamped 2999 to interior, with screw-down bezel and mounted within gimbals, the three-tier case with brass capped corners and edge bindings, with recessed ivory vacant cartouche to lid, brass side handles and mother-of-pearl rectangular name plate with repeat signature and number to front (lacking winding and case keys, minor faults), 18.5cm wide, 20cm high. John Bliss senior was born 1795 in Norwich Connecticut; he was known to be working as a jeweller from 180 Water Street, New York, by 1835 when he went into partnership with the English watchmaker Edward Creighton. The partnership of Bliss & Creighton worked from 42 Fulton Street lower Manhattan making and supplying Instruments and marine chronometers until the partnership was dissolved acrimoniously in 1853. They were the first makers in North America to build chronometers from scratch, and designed a compensated balance to improve middle temperature error. John Bliss subsequently took his son (also called John) as partner forming the firm of John Bliss & Son which was changed to John Bliss & Co. on the death of John senior in 1857. From 1880 to 1929 the business traded from 128 Fore Street moving to 84 Pearl Street until 1956 when the firm was wound-up. During the last two decades of the 19th century John Bliss & Co. were known to have signed and retailed marine chronometers which employed movements supplied by Victor Kullberg in London. The movement of the current lot with features such as reversed fusee, palladium balance spring, well spotted plates and distinctive balance almost certainly falls into this category.
Lot 26
A rare mahogany cased mail coach portable timepiece Edward Sherman & Co. London, early 19th century The four pillar 2.5 inch circular single fusee lever movement with monometallic balance (staff broken), Harrison`s maintaining power, and regulation adjustment to the plain backcock, the white enamel Roman numeral convex dial inscribed EDW `D SHERMAN & Co, BULL & MOUTH INN, LONDON, No. 20, 70 HOURS to centre, with screw-down bezel and in cylindrical brass case with shuttered winding hole to the bayonet fitted back cover, diameter 7.2cm, the original solid mahogany travelling case with key lock for the hinged brass rear cover, dial aperture to front, winding-key shaped recess to left hand side, and suspension loop to top, 11.5cm high excluding suspension ring. Edward Sherman and Co. were landlords of the famous Bull & Mouth coaching Inn, St. Martin`s Le Grand London during the Regency period. The Bull & Mouth was a major stopping point for mail coming in and out of London in the late 18th century and by the early 19th century had become an administrative centre for the distribution of mail beyond the capital. The original galleried building was demolished in 1830-1 to make way for `The Queen`s Hotel`, however the old name stuck and the hotel was still referred to as the Bull and Mouth Inn when the site was cleared again in 1888 to make way for a purpose built Post Office building. The current lot was probably commissioned by Edward Sherman & Co. from a local watchmaker to be issued to the Royal Mail guard who accompanied the mail on its route. The guard`s role was to ensure that the mail safely arrived at its destination on time hence he required a fairly accurate portable timepiece in order to check that the schedule was running on time. In addition to the timepiece the guard would have also been issued with a blunderbuss and pair of pistols to fend off highwaymen, his gilt brocade trimmed uniform would have made him immediately recognisable in his role.
Lot 36
A mahogany drop dial timepiece Movement by Brockbanks, London dated 1798, the case later The substantial six pillar single fusee movement with anchor escapement, decoratively shaped shouldered plates and signed Brockbanks, London Sept 1798 to frontplate, now with 12 inch circular white Roman numeral dial with centre cut out to reveal movement and with cast brass bezel within turned surround, the drop trunk case with side door and pendulum adjustment flap to the curved base, 55cm (21.5ins) high. THIS DESCRIPTION TO BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH ‘IMPORTANT NOTES REGARDING THE CATALOGUING OF CLOCKS’ PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE OR AVAILABLE FROM THE SALEROOM ON REQUEST. The firm Brockbanks was established when the two brothers John and Myles Brockbank went into partnership in the early 1790`s. The firm was continued by various members of the family until becoming Brockbanks & Grove when George Grove was taken into partnership in 1812, later becoming Brockbank and Atkins when George Atkins was taken into partnership after Grove`s death in 1814. The firm was well known for producing fine marine chronometers. The movement of the current lot probably started life as a semi-public timepiece installed as part of the integrated design of an interior.
Lot 38
A William IV brass mounted ebonised bracket clock Arnold & Dent, London, circa 1835 The five pillar twin fusee bell striking movement with anchor escapement and signed Arnold & Dent, Strand, London to backplate, the unusual wavy outline 6 inch arched silvered brass Roman numeral dial with repeat signature and numbered 432 to lower margin, the case with raised bell-top upstand to the break-arch cornice with brass urn finials above shaped brass fillet inset front door flanked by gilt foliate trail applied canted angles, the sides flaring towards the base and applied with ring handles above cast brass frets, on moulded base applied with repeating rosette decorated gilt moulding and substantial relief cast ball feet, 49cm (19.5ins) high. THIS DESCRIPTION TO BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH ‘IMPORTANT NOTES REGARDING THE CATALOGUING OF CLOCKS’ PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE OR AVAILABLE FROM THE SALEROOM ON REQUEST. The partnership between the celebrated clock and chronometer makers John Roger Arnold and Edward Dent was formed on 30th September 1830. The partnership benefited both parties as it allowed Arnold to concentrate on development work and provided Dent with the opportunity to raise his profile and broaden the scope of his work. Throughout the 1830`s the partnership built a reputation for producing clocks watches and marine chronometers of the highest quality. In 1837 they were granted the Royal Warrant, however by 1838 tensions between Arnold and Dent had begun to develop resulting in the partnership being dissolved in 1840.
Lot 41
A George II mahogany bracket clock Joseph Smith, Bristol, circa 1750 The six pillar twin fusee movement with trip hour repeat and foliate engraved backplate incorporating signature Joseph Smith, BRISTOL to an elaborate scroll decorated cartouche, the 7 inch brass break-arch dial with calendar aperture, finely worked false bob aperture and silvered plaque with repeat signature to the matted centre within an applied silvered Roman numeral chapter ring with Arabic five minutes to outer track and rocaille cast spandrels to angles, the arch with Strike/Silent dial flanked by conforming mounts, the bell top case with brass carrying handle above arched side windows and caddy moulded angles, on moulded base with block feet, 46cm (18ins) high excluding handle. THIS DESCRIPTION TO BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH ‘IMPORTANT NOTES REGARDING THE CATALOGUING OF CLOCKS’ PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE OR AVAILABLE FROM THE SALEROOM ON REQUEST. Joseph Smith is recorded in Moore A.J. THE CLOCKMAKERS OF BRISTOL 1650-1900 as working from several addresses in Bristol 1725-1775. He is generally considered a fine and diverse maker with known examples ranging from eight day longcase clocks with tidal dials to watches with champleve dials. Other bracket clocks by him include a very rare miniature walnut case bracket clock with verge escapement and 4 inch arched dial (private collection) and a fine brass mounted quarter chiming bracket clock with moonphase (illustrated in Barder, R.C. Georgian Bracket Clocks page 112). The current lot with its six movement pillars, exquisite engraved backplate and finely worked dial demonstrates Joseph Smith`s high quality approach.
Lot 48
A small walnut quarter chiming eight-day longcase clock Elliott for Garrard & Co. Ltd, London, 20th century The triple-train weight driven movement with deadbeat escapement, Harrison`s maintaining power and chiming the quarters on four tubular gongs with hour strike on a further gong, the 8.25 inch square brass dial inscribed Garrard & Co. Ltd., 112 Regent Street, London. AN Elliott CLOCK to the scroll engraved centre within applied narrow silvered Roman numeral chapter ring with stylised fluer-de-lys half hour markers and Arabic five minutes within the outer track and winged cherub head cast spandrels to angles, the case with shallow dome caddy to hood and long rectangular quarter-veneered door to trunk, on conforming plinth base with moulded skirt and compressed bun feet, 175cm (5ft 9ins) high. THIS DESCRIPTION TO BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH ‘IMPORTANT NOTES REGARDING THE CATALOGUING OF CLOCKS’ PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE OR AVAILABLE FROM THE SALEROOM ON REQUEST.
Lot 59
A William and Mary walnut and floral marquetry eight-day longcase clock Thomas Power, Wellingborough, circa 1695 The five finned and latched pillar outside countwheel bell striking movement with 11 inch square brass dial with scroll engraved calendar aperture, ringed winding holes and subsidiary seconds dial to the matted centre within an applied Roman numeral chapter ring with stylised fleur-de-lys half hour markers and signed Tho: Power, Wellingborow to lower margin, the narrow outer track with Arabic five minutes within the divisions, the angles with applied cherub head and foliate scroll cast spandrels, the case with ogee moulded cornice and foliate pierced fret to frieze above floral trail decorated door with integral ebonised columns to hood, the trunk with convex throat moulding and rectangular door centred with a lenticle and inlaid with three shaped marquetry panels decorated with bird inhabited foliage on an ebonised ground within a walnut field, the door surround with repeating scroll motifs, on a conforming plinth base with double skirt, 205cm (7ft 1ins) high. THIS DESCRIPTION TO BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH ‘IMPORTANT NOTES REGARDING THE CATALOGUING OF CLOCKS’ PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE OR AVAILABLE FROM THE SALEROOM ON REQUEST. Thomas Power was born in around 1630, he was working in Wellingborough by the 1660`s and continued until his death in 1709 leaving the contents of his workshop to his wife Sarah who died two months later (see Loomes, Brian COMPLETE BRITISH CLOCKS page 94). His work is generally considered to be of good quality with generous use of brass and latches for the movement plates. Power appeared to keep up with the stylistic and technical developments originating from London during his career to the extant that in the past he was once thought to have been a London maker. Although he is predominantly known for longcase and lantern clocks, an ebonised basket top table timepiece with pull-quarter repeat is illustrated in Darken, Jeff (ed.) TIME & PLACE English Country Clocks 1600-1840. A thirty-hour longcase clock by Thomas Power is included as the following lot in this sale.
Lot 61
A rare George I walnut musical eight-day longcase clock James Green, Althorpe, circa 1720 The five substantial finned pillar triple train movement with inside countwheel hour striking on a bell and playing a choice of four tunes on eight bells three times a day, the 12 inch brass break-arch dial with subsidiary seconds dial, ringed winding holes and calendar aperture within foliate engraved decoration to the matted centre within an applied silvered Roman numeral chapter ring with stylised fluer-de-lys half hour markers and Arabic five minutes to outer track, the angles applied with bird and urn cast spandrels, the arch with dolphin mounts flanking circular silvered boss signed IAMES GREEN, Althorp near Gainsbro`, Lincolnshire around a central reserve engraved with a crest of a lions head pierced with an arrow with the tip protruding from the mouth, the case with moulded cornice and applied `pyramid` motifs to frieze above dial and integral pilasters to hood door, the trunk with rectangular bookmatched veneered door, on crossbanded plinth base with shallow skirt, 219cm (7ft 2.5ins) high. THIS DESCRIPTION TO BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH ‘IMPORTANT NOTES REGARDING THE CATALOGUING OF CLOCKS’ PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE OR AVAILABLE FROM THE SALEROOM ON REQUEST. James Green was is recorded by W.N. Terry (in a list compiled for an exhibition held at Northampton Museum in 1966) as working from St. Giles Street, Althorpe, Lincolnshire 1712-36. The engraved crest within the signature boss to the arch is almost certainly for PEAK of Lincolnshire and of Achurch, near Oundle, Northants as it closely follows the description `a gold lion`s head, torn off at the neck, pierced through the side of the head with an arrow, the point emerging from the mouth`. This crest was used by Sir William Peak, Lord Mayor of London in 1668, its presence suggests that the current lot may have been commissioned by one of his descendants for a Lincolnshire residence.
Lot 63
A Scottish inlaid mahogany eight-day longcase clock with moonphase James Aitken, Markinch, early 19th century The four pillar rack and bell striking movement with 14 inch white painted Roman numeral break-arch dial with subsidiary calendar and seconds dials and signed JA`S AITKEN, MARKINCH to centre, within chapter ring with Arabic five minute outer track and figural painted spandrels representing the four seasons, the arch with rolling moonphase calibrated with age of the moon to upper margin, the case with swan neck pediment and reeded pilasters to hood above shallow arch-top line bordered door flanked by reeded canted angles to trunk, on conforming plinth base with later skirt, 211cm (6ft 11.5ins) high. THIS DESCRIPTION TO BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH ‘IMPORTANT NOTES REGARDING THE CATALOGUING OF CLOCKS’ PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE OR AVAILABLE FROM THE SALEROOM ON REQUEST. James Aitken is recorded in Loomes, Brian, Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World Volume 2 as working in Markinch circa 1837.
Lot 72
A fine George I brass mounted ebonised quarter chiming table clock of impressive proportions Simon DeCharmes, London circa 1720 The substantial ten pillar triple fusee movement (plates measuring 10 by 9 inches) chiming the quarters on eight bells and striking the hours on a further bell, the backplate profusely engraved with Ho-Ho bird inhabited foliage, the 10 inch brass break-arch dial with calendar and false bob aperture signed S. De Charmes, London within applied silvered Roman numeral chapter ring with fleur-de-lys half hour markers and Arabic five minutes to outer track, the angles with female mask and scroll cast spandrels beneath regulation dial calibrated 0-60 flanked by dolphin mounts to arch, the case with brass ball-and-spire finials to the brass edged inverted bell top above carrying handles and brass edged break-arch windows to sides, the front with conforming brass surround to dial aperture and upper quadrants, on moulded base with brass ogee bracket feet, 69cm (2ft 3ins) high excluding top finial. THIS DESCRIPTION TO BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH ‘IMPORTANT NOTES REGARDING THE CATALOGUING OF CLOCKS’ PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE OR AVAILABLE FROM THE SALEROOM ON REQUEST. Simon DeCharmes was a French Huguenot immigrant clockmaker who became a Free Brother of the Clockmakers Company in 1691. His work can be directly compared with that of his contemporary Claude DuChesne with both makers being particularly well known for producing highly decorative clocks usually playing music or with other complications such as long duration. There are at least two clocks known where DuChesne has supplied the movement to DeCharmes including a fine walnut three month duration quarter-repeating longcase clock which was sold in these rooms on the 9th September 2009 (lot 102). Simon DeCharmes is known to have been working in London up to around 1730 when it thought that he may have returned to France. The current lot demonstrates DeCharmes no expense spared approach to clockmaking, the massive movement with no less than ten pillars was clearly made with the intention to fill what is in essence an oversized case. The form of the case with its applied brass mouldings (particularly the aperture surrounds to doors and side windows) are typical of those used to house movements by DeCharmes during the latter years of his career in London. Other oversized table clocks are known, particularly from the Windmills Workshop (a walnut clock of large proportions was sold in these rooms 21st March 2007 lot 403), another example by George Graham with a rectangular dial was formerly in the Iden collection. It is probable that such clocks were either made simply to impress or to be utilised in a semi-public context where the use of a longcase clock would be problematic.
Lot 75
A William and Mary walnut and Arabesque marquetry eight-day longcase clock Samuel Stevens, London, early 18th century The five finned-pillar outside countwheel bell-striking movement with 11.875 inch square brass dial with subsidiary seconds dial, ringed winding holes and decorated calendar aperture to the foliate scroll engraved and matted centre within an applied silvered Roman numeral chapter ring with stylised sword hilt half hour markers and cruciform quarter markers to the narrow Arabic five minute outer track, the lower edge signed Sam. Stevens, London the angles with winged cherub head and foliate scroll cast spandrels with engraved infill between, in a case with marquetry fronted dome caddy above blind fret frieze and integral columns with well cast brass capitals and bases to the foliate trail decorated hood door and rectangular side windows to hood, the trunk with concave throat moulding above rectangular door with brass edged lenticle and plinth base with original moulded skirt, the whole profusely decorated with birds and grotesques within foliate strapwork in various timbers on an ebony ground within conforming repeating borders, 236cm (7ft 9ins) high. Provenance: The Property of a Gentleman of title. Purchased by the vendor`s family from Christie, Manson & Woods, 9th December 1897, the catalogue entry is pasted on the inside of the trunk door: 301 AN OLD ENGLISH CLOCK, by Sam. Stevens, London, in upright walnut wood case of marqueterie, elaborately inlaid with birds foliage and arabesques of a lighter coloured wood -8ft 4in high. From New Monckton Hall where it was at the time of Charles I`s visit before Marston Moor. From the Collection of Lord Walter Scott. Samuel Stevens senior is recorded in Loomes, Brian The Early CLOCKMAKERS of Great Britain as being freed from his apprenticeship to Edward Stanton in 1679, he was known to be working from Grub Street in 1682. He took his son, also called Samuel, as an apprentice in 1699 who in turn was freed in 1706/7. Details in the movement and dial such as the outside countwheel striking mechanism and engraving between the spandrels suggests perhaps a slightly old fashioned approach at this time indicating that this clock was almost certainly made by Samuel Stevens senior. When the current contents of Sir Walter Scott`s library at Abbotsford are considered it is clear that he had a passion for artifacts with historic associations. Memorabilia from his collection includes Nelson`s pen case and blotting paper, Rob Roy`s purse and skene dhu, a lock of hair from both Bonnie Prince Charlie and Nelson, Flora MacDonald`s pocket book, the inlaid pearl crucifix that accompanied Mary, Queen of Scots to the scaffold, a carriage clock once owned by Marie Antoinette, and housed in his armory an assortment of weaponry including Rob Roy`s broadsword. The current lot, when considering its (erroneous) `provenance` to New Monckton Hall at the time of Charles I, could well have been perceived as a worthy addition to Sir Walter Scott`s collection.
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