1931 Rolls-Royce 20 / 25 Sedanca de Ville by Windovers Transmission: manualMileage:57000First registered on 7th May 1931 and finished in pastel blue and black with black leather interior, GNS75 was initially ordered by J.J. Jones of 88 St. James's Street, London however the first owner was actually Hylton Ralph Murray-Philipson (Jnr) of Stobo Castle, Peebles. Stobo Castle had been purchased by Hylton Murray-Philipson Snr in 1905 and in 1924 he conveyed the estate to his son who was a pioneer aviator. Hylton's career consisted of being the C.O. of the City of Edinburgh Auxiliary Air Force Squadron, Conservative MP for Twickenham; Chairman of N.E. Marine Engineering Company and a member of the King's Bodyguard for Scotland and the Royal Company of Archers. Hylton Murray-Philipson suffered from ill health and died in 1934 aged 32 leaving GNS75 to his wife Monica and two young children. In 1939 Monica Murray-Philipson sold Stobo Castle to Wenefryde Agatha Scott, 10th Countess of Dysart and after 10 years of being a widow Monica married Colonel P.H. Lloyd of Stone House in Blaston. The Colonel and Murray-Philipson had business connections as they were both company directors of Manvers Main Collieries Ltd €“ Murray-Philipson in 1923/33 and Lloyd in 1940/47. In 1943 GNS75 is shown as being with her second family, that of John Stanley Coombe Beard of Grayshott Hall, Surrey. John Beard was an architect well known for designing over 100 cinemas in many styles, Baroque, Art Deco, Italian Renaissance, Greek Revival and even Egyptian. Interestingly in 1937 Mrs Beard made call to the police about an attempted burglary which resulted in the first arrest directly attributable to the new 999 service. A rare, possibly unique and very attractively designed car incorporating many appealing features such as stylish wings, separate steps in place of running boards, slim bumpers, external visor and louvred bonnet and scuttle with beautifully proportioned coachwork. With a polished aluminium bonnet top and waistline and P80 'bullseye' headlamps with pillar spot lamp all adds to the overall gorgeous design with the incorporation of various Art Deco touches. This 20/25 allows you to instruct your chauffeur from the privacy of the rear passenger compartment with the interior dividing screen while keeping an eye on progress with your own speedometer which is naturally mounted atop the built-in drink's cabinet. Such unusual original features are what make this Rolls-Royce special, even the delightful Sedanca de Ville coachwork is rare with its split separate steps and Art Deco flourishes. The front compartment provides accommodation for the driver and a passenger with a removable roof section for open-air motoring and wind-up windows. The driver's window also featuring a quick release lower section to allow hand signals to be easily executed. A right hand gear change allows for plenty of legroom and the large steering wheel is surmounted by a collection of hand controls. A large bulb horn lies easily to hand and the windscreen can be opened for ventilation. It is shaded by a glass visor and a spot lamp is within the driver's reach. Gauges are also a feature of the rear passenger compartment, although separated by a dividing screen, the rear passengers can keep an eye on their own speedometer as well as being supplied with a clock, barometer and a circular thermometer. The clock, and possibly the barometer, appear to be later additions. The drinks cabinet has provision for holding several decanters and a few glasses in a Lazy Susan, although the glassware itself is no longer present. The leather upholstery looks to be in lovely condition throughout, exhibiting just the right amount of patina without looking tatty. The carpets, door cards and headlining are similarly well presented as are stylish Art Deco door handles and window winders, which place this Rolls-Royce squarely in the 1930s. To the exterior, the Palladian radiator surround is topped with the Spirit of Ecstasy and the long bonnet is flanked by twin side-mount spare wheels. A pair of large Lucas tripod headlamps illuminate the road ahead and are assisted by a centrally mounted spot lamp, as well as the swivelling spot lamp near the driver. Twin horns complete the scene at the front of the car, along with a polished chrome-plated bumper. The Windovers Sedanca de Ville coachwork suits the car well and is beautifully proportioned. It features the unusual running boards, separate for front and rear passengers, as well as a useful luggage boot to the rear. Polished aluminium discs cover the wire wheels and the car runs on a full set of Paymaster tyres. Lifting the long bonnet reveals the powerful, straight-six, 3.7 litre engine. The engine features coil ignition and is fed by an Autovac fuel pump and, unusually for a car of this period, there is a glass bottle of screen wash mounted on the bulkhead, which is likely to be a later addition coupled to a small modern electric pump which has been added for ease of use. Supplied with a history file which includes historic photographs of restoration, instruction book and the original buff logbook coupled to the V5C registration document and copies of handwritten service records. The vendor informs us that the engine starts up easily every time and runs well. It is said to be a joy to drive and mechanically sound with its overhead valves, four-speed gearbox and powerful engine, this Rolls-Royce is certainly very capable and splendidly opulent. An imposing motorcar, which wears fabulously unusual coachwork and retains many original details.
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AN REGENCY SILVER PAIR-CASED VERGE POCKET WATCH WITH DIAL UNUSUALLY INSCRIBED FOR THE ORIGINAL OWNERJAMES WINDSOR, LONDON, 1823The single fusee movement with four columnar pillars pinned through the backplate and verge escapement regulated by sprung three-arm steel balance set beneath a squirrel inhabited scroll pierced and chased gilt balance cock, the backplate with Slow/Fast regulation lever, signed Ja's Windsor, London to the mainspring barrel plate and numbered No. 1405 next to the regulation scale, the slightly convex circular white enamel dial with upper-case lettering for the hour numerals spelling the name THOMAS, WATTS and incorporating a painted image of a standing chestnut horse at twelve o'clock, with pierced gilt spade hands, the inner case applied with oval section suspension post and fitted with convex glazed bezel, both cases marked for London 1823 makers S C possibly for Sarah Clerke (registered 1812/13); together with a silver cased pedometer, Dixey, Brighton, 1887, with frosted gilt mechanism engraved DIXEY, BRIGHTON to pendulum cock and white enamel Roman numeral watch-type dial with each beat of the pendulum equating to one second, the engine-turned case with suspension post and marked for London 1887, makers J.O for James Oliver (registered 1873); and a set of ten watch keys, circa 1900, sized 1-10, (12). The watch pillar plate 4.5cm (1.75ins) diameter, the outer case 5.8cm (2.25ins) diameter; the pedometer 4.2cm (1.125ins) diameter. James Windsor is recorded in Loomes, Brian Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World, Volume 2 as apprenticed in 1781 and working in London until 1844. A watch paper enclosed in the rear of the case (for J. Murfitt of Cottenham) is inscribed in ink Mr. Watts, Cottenham to verso. This would suggest that the present watch was almost certainly made for the Cottenham-resident Thomas Watts who was born in 1793 and died in 1874; his grave can be found in the Cottenham Dissenters Cemetery, South Cottenham, Cambridgeshire. Dixey of Brighton are recorded in Banfield, Edwin BAROMETER MAKERS AND RETAILERS 1660-1900 as working from 21 King's Road, Brighton, circa 1850-70. Condition Report: Watch is in original relatively clean working condition with no visible evidence of alteration or repair. The dial has a very small chip to the lower (behind the bezel when closed) as a tiny edge blemish above the eleven o'clock position (again behind the bezel) otherwise appears to be in perfect condition. Both case are in good original condition with no significant dents and only slight wear evident; these is some light scratching to the glass. Watch has its own winding key presentPedometer is in fine original working condition with minimal dirt ingress to the mechanism; the case exhibits hardly any wear - the exterior tarnished so would benefit from a gentle clean. Condition Report Disclaimer
1931 Rolls-Royce 20 / 25 Sedanca De Ville by Windovers Transmission: manualMileage:57000First registered on 7th May 1931 and finished in pastel blue and black with black leather interior, GNS75 was initially ordered by J.J. Jones of 88 St. James's Street, London however the first owner was actually Hylton Ralph Murray-Philipson (Jnr) of Stobo Castle, Peebles. Stobo Castle had been purchased by Hylton Murray-Philipson Snr in 1905 and in 1924 he conveyed the estate to his son who was a pioneer aviator. Hylton's career consisted of being the C.O. of the City of Edinburgh Auxiliary Air Force Squadron, Conservative MP for Twickenham; Chairman of N.E. Marine Engineering Company and a member of the King's Bodyguard for Scotland and the Royal Company of Archers. Hylton Murray-Philipson suffered from ill health and died in 1934 aged 32 leaving GNS75 to his wife Monica and two young children. In 1939 Monica Murray-Philipson sold Stobo Castle to Wenefryde Agatha Scott, 10th Countess of Dysart and after 10 years of being a widow Monica married Colonel P.H. Lloyd of Stone House in Blaston. The Colonel and Murray-Philipson had business connections as they were both company directors of Manvers Main Collieries Ltd Murray-Philipson in 1923/33 and Lloyd in 1940/47. In 1943 GNS75 is shown as being with her second family, that of John Stanley Coombe Beard of Grayshott Hall, Surrey. John Beard was an architect well known for designing over 100 cinemas in many styles, Baroque, Art Deco, Italian Renaissance, Greek Revival and even Egyptian. Interestingly in 1937 Mrs Beard made call to the police about an attempted burglary which resulted in the first arrest directly attributable to the new 999 service.A rare, possibly unique and very attractively designed car incorporating many appealing features such as stylish wings, separate steps in place of running boards, slim bumpers, external visor and louvred bonnet and scuttle with beautifully proportioned coachwork. With a polished aluminium bonnet top and waistline and P80 'bullseye' headlamps with pillar spot lamp all adds to the overall gorgeous design with the incorporation of various Art Deco touches.This 20/25 allows you to instruct your chauffeur from the privacy of the rear passenger compartment with the interior dividing screen while keeping an eye on progress with your own speedometer which is naturally mounted atop the built-in drink's cabinet. Such unusual original features are what make this Rolls-Royce special, even the delightful Sedanca de Ville coachwork is rare with its split separate steps and Art Deco flourishes. The front compartment provides accommodation for the driver and a passenger with a removable roof section for open-air motoring and wind-up windows. The driver's window also featuring a quick release lower section to allow hand signals to be easily executed. A right hand gear change allows for plenty of legroom and the large steering wheel is surmounted by a collection of hand controls. A large bulb horn lies easily to hand and the windscreen can be opened for ventilation. It is shaded by a glass visor and a spot lamp is within the driver's reach. Gauges are also a feature of the rear passenger compartment, although separated by a dividing screen, the rear passengers can keep an eye on their own speedometer as well as being supplied with a clock, barometer and a circular thermometer. The clock, and possibly the barometer, appear to be later additions. The drinks cabinet has provision for holding several decanters and a few glasses in a Lazy Susan, although the glassware itself is no longer present. The leather upholstery looks to be in lovely condition throughout, exhibiting just the right amount of patina without looking tatty. The carpets, door cards and headlining are similarly well presented as are stylish Art Deco door handles and window winders, which place this Rolls-Royce squarely in the 1930s.To the exterior, the Palladian radiator surround is topped with the Spirit of Ecstasy and the long bonnet is flanked by twin side-mount spare wheels. A pair of large Lucas tripod headlamps illuminate the road ahead and are assisted by a centrally mounted spot lamp, as well as the swivelling spot lamp near the driver. Twin horns complete the scene at the front of the car, along with a polished chrome-plated bumper. The Windovers Sedanca de Ville coachwork suits the car well and is beautifully proportioned. It features the unusual running boards, separate for front and rear passengers, as well as a useful luggage boot to the rear. Polished aluminium discs cover the wire wheels and the car runs on a full set of Paymaster tyres. Lifting the long bonnet reveals the powerful, straight-six, 3.7 litre engine. The engine features coil ignition and is fed by an Autovac fuel pump and, unusually for a car of this period, there is a glass bottle of screen wash mounted on the bulkhead, which is likely to be a later addition coupled to a small modern electric pump which has been added for ease of use. Supplied with a history file which includes historic photographs of restoration, instruction book and the original buff logbook coupled to the V5C registration document and copies of handwritten service records. The vendor informs us that the engine starts up easily every time and runs well. It is said to be a joy to drive and mechanically sound with its overhead valves, four-speed gearbox and powerful engine, this Rolls-Royce is certainly very capable and splendidly opulent. An imposing motorcar, which wears fabulously unusual coachwork and retains many original details.
A FINE VICTORIAN MAHOGANY CASED 'WEATHER STATION'JAMES HENRY STEWARD, LONDON, CIRCA 1873With timepiece incorporating four pillar eight-day single fusee movement with anchor escapement regulated by heavy disc bob half-seconds pendulum and 7 inch circular silvered brass Roman numeral dial with recessed subsidiary seconds dial over signature J.H. STEWARD, 406 & 66. STRAND & 54 Cornhill, LONDON to centre, with blued steel hands set within canted silvered brass surround, positioned to the left of the central paper-scale lined drum rotating via a bevel-gear take-off from the clock movement, over horizontal mercury tube slivered centigrade scale 'maximum and minimum' recording thermometer, the right hand side with matching 7 inch circular silvered barometer scale calibrated in barometric inches from 28 to 31 divided into hundredths, with conforming signature to centre, blued steel pointer and canted surround, the aneroid mechanism with take-off to facilitate recording of the change in barometric pressure on the central paper scale lined drum via a vertical slide fitted with a pencil positioned against a further small vertical scale calibrated for barometric inches, the rectangular case with moulded cornice over downward hinged glazed front and moulded waist applied with engraved silver plate inscribed THE INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS, Man by Premium 1873, THOMAS SOPWITH. JUN'R. M. INST. C.E., the rear with door behind the clock movement, on stepped ogee moulded skirt base; together with W. Robert Dickinson, oil on canvas, portrait of THOMAS SOPWITH ESQ. M.A. F.R.S. in gilt gesso frame, (2).The weather station 42cm (16.5ins) high, 68.5cm (27ins) wide, 20cm (8ins) deep; the portrait 76cm (30ins) by 66cm (26ins) excluding frame. Please note this barometer is being sold as per condition report. Provenance:The present lot was the property of Thomas Sopwith (1803-79) who trained under his father, Jacob (1770-1829) as a civil engineer completing his apprenticeship in 1824. He initially worked with Richard Grainger in the redevelopment of Newcastle-on-Tyne; and Joseph Dickinson of Alston, Northumberland assisting in the surveying of mines in the area belonging to Greenwich Hospital. His involvement with geological surveying led him to become a fellow of the geological society in 1835. Thomas Sopwith was also engaged as a railway engineer firstly in Newcastle-on-Tyne with Richard Grainger then with Robert Stephenson and Sir William Cubitt assisting with the creation of the French Railway network. He also assisted Stephenson on surveys for the construction of the Sambre-Meuse Line in Belgium in 1843. Two years later, in 1845, Thomas Sopwith was living at Allenheads, Northumberland and was engaged as an agent for W.B. Lead Mines, a position held until 1871.Thomas Sopwith was married three time and had eight children including a son who shared his name and followed in his footsteps to become a civil engineer. His Grandson, also called Thomas, went on to found the Sopwith Aviation Company. James Henry Steward is recorded in Banfield, Edwin BAROMETER MAKERS AND RETAILERS 1660-1900 as a maker of all types of barometers who worked from several addresses in London including; 406 Strand (1857-1900 and beyond), 67 Strand (1867-8), 63 St. Pauls Churchyard (1867-80), Cornhill (1867-92), 66 Strand (1869-88), 456 Strand (1879-88), 474 West Strand (1886-1900 and beyond) and 7 Gracechurch Street (1893-1900 and beyond). He advertised as maker of the celebrated Lord Bury telescope and maker of the Fitzroy barometers, as in use at all railway termini and principal hotels in London.Condition Report: Clock movement is intact and appears to be complete and in all-original condition, the mechanism is fully wound and the escapement will just about beat however it would appear that the movement is dry/a little gummed-up so requires a gentle clean/service before reliable running is likely to be achieved. The bevel gear take-off to the rotating barograph drum is lacking one of the gears and the one still attached (to a slightly bent arbor protruding from the clock movement backplate) is lacking a couple of teeth. The recording drum and pointed assembly otherwise appears to be in good original undisturbed condition. The barometer also appears undisturbed and is providing a reasonable reading however we are unable to access the internal mechanism as this apparently requires disassembly of the entire instrument/case which appears to have never been apart and is beyond our remit. Regrettably the maximum/minimum thermometer tube is now broken (in an attempt to dismantle the instrument to report on the barometer mechanism); the scale however is in good original condition. The silvering to the barometer and timepiece dials are in good original condition with minimal discolouration as are the lacquered and oxidised finishes of the mechanism and casings. Externally the case is in good original condition with the only major fault being a section of cornice moulding missing from the right hand side. There also some patchy localised degradation to the surface polish.Timepiece has original pendulum and there is a winding key present.The portrait is in good original condition with faults limited to a small scuff to the background at face level and some slight blooming to the varnish in places. The frame has a few small chips/losses to the gesso. Condition Report Disclaimer
A FINE SCOTTISH GEORGE II MAHOGANY AND BURR ELM DOMESTIC REGULATOR WITH CENTRE-SECONDS ALEXANDER CUMMING, INVERARAY, CIRCA 1755The substantial five pillar rack striking movement with deadbeat escapement regulated by a later seconds period wood rod 'Ludlam' pendulum with heavy brass faced lenticular bob, bolt-and-shutter maintaining power and six wheel going train, the backplate with aperture cut for the pallets, the 12 inch square single sheet silvered brass Roman numeral dial with blued steel hands and signed Ale:r Cumming INVERARAY to an arched cartouche to centre within chapter ring with Arabic five minutes to outer track and fine scallop shell inhabited foliate scroll engraved decoration to spandrels, in a case with complex moulded dentil cornice, fretwork frieze and turned three-quarter columns to the hood door, the sides with break-arch glazed apertures and quarter columns applied to bargeboards at the rear, the trunk with convex throat over burr elm veneered panel inset break-arch door, the plinth base veneered with conforming rectangular panel over ogee bracket feet.207cm (81.5ins) high, 55cm (21.75ins) wide, 29cm (11.5ins) deep. Provenance: Possibly constructed for Archibald Campbell, the third Duke of Argyll, whilst the maker was working for him at Inveraray circa 1755.Alexander Cumming was born circa 1732 and is believed to have been apprenticed to an Edinburgh based watchmaker. At an early stage his talent for the mechanical was noticed by Lord Milton through whom he is most likely to have ended up working alongside his brother, James, at Inveraray for Archibald Campbell, the third Duke of Argyll during the 1750's. Alexander and James Cumming were commissioned by the Duke to install an organ for his new castle at Inveraray and Alexander was also tasked to produce a clock.Alexander Cumming was a founder member of the Scottish Royal Society in Edinburgh and by 1761 (after the death of Archibald Campbell) he had moved to London possibly through the encouragement of Thomas Grignon. By 1763 Cumming was established in New Bond Street and supplied the first ever recording barometer to George III which is still in the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace. He was subsequently appointed as an 'expert' by Act of Parliament to assess Harrison's marine timekeepers and in 1766 he published The Elements of Clock and Watch Work. In addition to clockmaking Cumming is also credited with other notable inventions such as the first accurate recording barograph (1766), the microtome - a machine for making extremely thin slices as used in microscope slide-preparation (1770) and an advanced design of flushing toilet which included a trap to prevent odours re-entering the room.By the mid 1790's Alexander Cumming had retired to Penton Place in Pentonville, then a suburb of London, where he wrote a number of essays on mechanical questions. He died at home on 8th March 1814, aged eighty-two, and was buried at St James's Chapel, Pentonville Road, Finsbury, London. The current lot is an interesting and potentially historically significant example of Cumming's early work due to being distinctly experimental in nature and dating to his time at Inveraray. The escapement is perhaps particularly noteworthy as it appears to follow a design by Thomas Grignon which was conceived as an improvement over Graham's deadbeat (see Rees, Abraham Rees's Clocks Watches and Chronometers 1819-20 page 200 and Fig 6). If this is the case then evidence of collaboration between Grignon and Cumming would serve as confirmation of a direct connection with Archabold Campbell due to the fact that the third Duke also commissioned Grignon to produce a clock for presentation to the Royal Society of Arts in London (also see Rees, page 68). The six-wheel going train is unusual but was probably necessary in a hour-striking clock that was also intended to serve as an accurate timepiece and possible 'test bed' for an improved design of deadbeat escapement. It would seem that the going train was conceived to allow the delivery of a high degree of motive power through the motionwork in order to proportionally minimise the effect of friction (and interference from the strike train during lifting) on the power delivered to the escapement. Indeed the fact that the current lot was designed with a strike train and a 'domestic-friendly' dial layout would strongly suggest that the it was made for a knowledgeable patron who wanted a highly accurate timepiece suitable for domestic use. When this is considered alongside the strong possibility of collaboration between Cumming and Grignon at Inveraray then the most likely patron would have to be Archibald Campbell, third Duke of Argyll.
A foliate carved wall bracket, late 19th c, pierced back, D-shaped shelf on plain bracket, 62cm h; together with an oak cased barometer with thermometer, 67cm h and an oak cased pillar clock, the movement with papered dial with Roman numerals contained within an octagonal case with urn finial on turned pillar, socle and octagonal pedestal flanked by four corner pillars on a rounded square base, 47cm h approximately Wall shelf with minor faults. Barometer generally good. Clock with cracked case, other minor faults and wear
Brass and bevelled glass cased carriage timepiece clock and barometer, with painted porcelain panels depicting floral garlands and country scenes, the timepiece with Roman dial and single train driven movement, aneroid barometer with Arabic register, central pillar supporting handleDimensions: Height: 10.5cm Length/Width: 12.5cm
John Taylor of Grantham. A mid 19thC regulator longcase clock, the painted arched dial with subsidiary, a seconds and hours within the minute dial, with an eight day four pillar movement, in an oak, mahogany and satin walnut case, 215cm high. Taylor is listed in Lincoln shire Clock Watch & Barometer Makers recorded as a clock and watchmaker and jeweller in Westgate, Grantham during the 1850's.
DOLLOND, LONDON AN UNUSUAL LARGE BORE SCIENTIFIC STICK BAROMETER having a black painted brass double pillar case with large central mercury-filled glass tube, the arch signed Dollond, London with calibrated silvered dial to the right pillar and large sealed cistern to the base enclosed in an ebonised glazed outer case 132cm high
Joseph Medley of Boston. A George II chinoiserie and lacquer longcase clock, with caddy top and moulded pillared hood, having urn and flame gilt finial, full length trunk door decorated with birds, peonies, oriental buildings, seated figures, the base embellished with a hunting scene, on a plinth with bracket feet, the 30cm square arch dial having applied cast gilt brass amorini mask spandrels and dolphin enclosures to the arch, with a convex silvered maker's tablet for Jos.Medley, Bofton, Fecit, Roman hour with fleur de lis dividers and Arabic minute numerals to the silvered chapter ring, the matted centre chased with birds and having a silvered seconds ring and date aperture, 8-day five pillar movement striking a bell, 258cm H.Joseph Medley is recorded as working from 1727 p.65 in Lincolnshire Clock, Watch and Barometer Makers by Wilbourn & Ellis, with further references in Appendix III, Wills & Inventories.
A fine and potentially important George III quarter chiming table or mantel clock movement, Justin Vulliamy, London, circa 1770 The substantial but compact circular six pillar triple fusee movement chiming the quarters on six bells configured as two nests of three set behind the plates and sounding the hours on an additional larger bell, the going train now with jewelled English lever escapement set on a gilt platform incorporating rack-arm for regulation, the backplate boldly signed Just: Vulliamy, London towards the lower margin, the 6 inch circular fired white enamel Roman numeral dial with Arabic five minutes beyond the outer minute track, small regulation square above the XII numeral and fine scroll-pierced steel hands set behind crisply moulded hinged gilt brass bezel with convex glass, with original brass cylindrical sleeve dust cover incorporating radial pierced hinged cover to rear, (escapement lacking balance), the movement plates 15cm (6 ins) diameter; the dust cover 12.5cm (5ins) deep. Justin Vulliamy was born in Pay de Vaud, the watchmaking heartland of Switzerland, in 1712. He initially trained and moved to Paris to make watches there, but when George Graham invented the cylinder escapement he came to London (in around 1730), to familiarise himself with it. At this time he met Benjamin Gray, watchmaker to King George II, with whom he was later to form a partnership with at “Ye sign of Ye Sun Diall. In 1746 Vulliamy married Mary Gray, daughter of Benjamin; they subsequently had four children, Jane, Benjamin, Lewis and Mary.Justin Vulliamy was proud of his roots, and took the lead in permanently establishing the Swiss Church in London in 1762. He was President of the Committee of the Church from its foundation till his death. He presented a clock to the original church and this clock is now in the vestibule of the present church in Endell Street, London, where there is also a plaque to the “Memory of its Founder, Francois Justin Vulliamy”.Whilst Vulliamy was in partnership with Gray their work was signed with both names. After the death of Gray in 1764 Vulliamy signed with either his full name or the shortened version ‘Just. Vulliamy’. In around 1780 Justin’s son, Benjamin, joined the his fatrher in partnership and the workshop subsequentlt adopted the practice of signing their work with the family surname ‘Vulliamy’ alone. Justin Vulliamy died in 1797 leaving the business in the hands of his son, Benjamin, who in turn passed it on to his son, Benjamin Lewis, who worked from 52 Pall Mall, served as Warden of the Clockmakers’ Company 1821-5 and was appointed Master five times.All three generations of the Vulliamy clockmaking family benefitted from Royal patronage. Of Justin Vulliamy’s work there are three fine table clocks and a very unusual barometer described in Jagger, Cedric ROYAL CLOCKS pages 88-91. Benjamin’s work in particular is very heavily represented in the Royal collection and include highly decorative sculptural timepieces executed in the Neo-Classical taste created from white marble and Derby biscuit porcelain with the finest cast and chased ormolu mounts by Matthew Boulton (see Jagger, page 117); and importantly in the context of the current lot numerous movements fitted into earlier French cases, (see Jagger, chapter 5). Indeed Benjamin Vulliamy, together with his son Benjamin Lewis, appeared to adopt the practice of replacing the original movements of earlier clocks in the Royal collection with their own; the most famous of which being that of the ‘Castlemaine Tompion’ (see Jagger page 269). The current lot is intriguing in that it is clearly designed to fit compactly within its 6 inch diameter brass sleeve. The most logical reason for this was to allow the clock to be inserted into the aperture of a decorative sculptural clock case (perhaps in a similar manner as a movement installed by Benjamin Vulliamy into a French Louis XV ormolu and bronze case by Osmond illustrated in Jagger, Cedric ROYAL CLOCKS on page 140). When originally made the current movement was almost certainly fitted with a verge pendulum escapement, indeed a filled slot in the base of the sleeve indicates where a pendulum would have passed through to swing within the body of the case below. The current platform escapement is very well executed and could well be of later Vulliamy workmanship. If this is the case then it would suggest that the current lot resided in a household who continually employed the Vulliamy family through subsequent generations. When considering this possibility alongside the overall quality and specification of the current movement, coupled with the probable calibre of the case it was made for, then it would be entirely reasonable to speculate that it may well be the product of Royal patronage.
ϒA fine and unusual William IV mahogany wall mounted mercury pillar barometer, Dollond, London, circa 1830 The domed leaf-carved top panel with circular cavetto upstrand incorporating Vernier adjustment screw over three-quarter cylinder glazed canted silvered Vernier scale calibrated from 26.5 to 31 inches and decorated with a fine Fleur-de-lys motif beneath signature DOLLOND, LONDON to upper margin, the right hand side with conforming canted silvered Fahrenheit and Centigrade scale mercury tube thermometer, the cavetto throat carved with repeating lappet leaves over cylindrical upright and larger diameter fluted cistern incorporating ivory float to leaf carved upper moulding, the ogee-shaped base with level adjustment screw, the whole applied to an arched caddy-moulded back panel, 100cm (39.5ins) high. Peter Dollond is recorded in Banfield, Edwin BAROMETER MAKERS AND RETAILERS 1680-1860 as born 1730 and died 1820. He was the son of John Dollond, a Huguenot silk weaver and started business as an optician in 1750. He was joined by his father in 1752 until his 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 changed his name to Dollond. George Dollond became instrument maker to William IV and Queen Victoria, exhibited at the Great Exhibition in 1851 and died 1856. ϒ Indicates that this lot may be subject to CITES regulations when exported. Please see our Terms & Conditions for more information.
A 20TH CENTURY IMEXAL CALENDAR/ BAROMETER MANTEL CLOCK with brass case having turned pillar supports. The 4.5" silvered dial with applied Roman numerals and three subsidiary date dials above a moon phase, fronting an eight-day spring driven Swiss movement; with two thermometer and barometer dials beneath 20.5cm high.
A Mahogany Longcase Clock with combined Wheel Barometer and Thermometer, arched pediment, brass capped reeded columns, trunk door set with an 8-inch silvered dial mercury wheel barometer and an inset thermometer box, flanked by inlay stringing and reeded borders, 12-inch one piece silvered dial signed Jas Paterson, Banff, seconds and date dials, flower engraved borders, four pillar movement with an anchor escapement and rack striking on a bell, later case, 217cm high 03.09.18, The later case has been polished, bottom right hand side of the hood with small chips, trunk door with one small crack between the barometer and the thermometer, bottom side of the trunk door is bowed, plinth with small chips and small dent marks, dial is discoloured and small crazing cracks, movement is clean, with pendulum and two weights.
Y A Queen Anne eight-day longcase clock movement with 10.25 inch dial Donning, Petworth, early 18th century, now in a later burr veneered case with barometer The five finned pillar inside countwheel bell striking movement with anchor escapement regulated by seconds pendulum, the 10.25 inch square brass dial with ringed winding holes, calendar aperture and subsidiary seconds dial to the matted centre within applied silvered Roman numeral chapter ring with cruciform half-hour markers, Arabic five minutes to outer track and signed Donning, Petworth to lower margin, with pierced blued steel hands and unusual acanthus scroll and fruiting swag cast spandrels applied to angles, now in purpose-made case applied with fine burr veneers (probably amboyna) with crisp ogee and cavetto moulded cornice over plain frieze and glazed hinged dial aperture flanked by columns with brass caps and bases and with rectangular side windows to hood, the trunk with concave throat moulding over rectangular door incorporating swollen centre section to accommodate a circular 7 inch silvered brass barometer scale calibrated for barometric inches, with usual observations and inscribed JOS.H SOMALVICO & CO., Hatton Garden, LONDON to centre within cast brass glazed bezel fitted with a recording pointer, the rear of the door incorporating mercury syphon-tube mechanism enclosed behind a further narrow hinged door, on ebony-line bordered plinth base incorporating cavetto moulded skirt, 211cm (83ins) high. The likely maker of the movement and dial of the current lot, William Donning, is recorded in Loomes, Brian Clockmakers of Britain 1286-1700 as working in Petworth, Sussex in around 1710-20; Loomes also notes that a William Donning was buried in the town in 1705.Joseph Somalvico and Company, the makers of the barometer mechanism now incorporated into the trunk door of the present clock, are recorded in Banfield, Edwin BAROMETER MAKERS AND RETAILERS as working from 2 Hatton Garden, London, 1840-67. Y Indicates that this lot may be subject to CITES regulations when exported. Please see our Terms & Conditions for more information.
A mahogany cased two-day marine chronometer with Kullberg s early form of compensated balance Negretti and Zambra, London, late 19th century The circular four pillar single chain fusee movement with Harrison's maintaining power, Earnshaw type spring detent escapement and split bimetallic balance incorporating Kullberg s early form of middle-error temperature compensation with cylindrical weights and helical invar or palladium balance spring, the spotted backplate with spring set-up ratchet, faceted diamond endstone and blued steel movement pillar and backcock securing screws, the 4 inch circular silvered Roman numeral dial with subsidiary seconds dial, signature NEGRETTI & ZAMBRA, London, No. 3455 and WIND DOWN/UP dial to centre, with gold spade hands and secured by a screw-down bezel into a lacquered brass bowl with shuttered winding hole to underside and indistinctly stamped with a serial number 285? to interior, mounted via gimbals into a brass-bound mahogany three-tier box, the top with vacant brass shield-shaped name plate and capped corners over front with later vacant ivorine name plate, brass strap reinforced angles and the sides with recessed lacquered brass carrying handles to sides, the laft hand side also with electrical timing connections, 18cm (7ins) wide. The firm of Negretti & Zambra are recorded in Banfield, Edwin BAROMETER MAKERS AND RETAILERS 1660-1900 as being established in 1850 when a partnership between Enrico Negretti and Joseph Warren Zambra was formed. The firm became one of the most prolific makers of scientific instruments and continued trading well into the 20th century. The design of the middle-error temperature compensation to the balance of the present timepiece was developed Victor Kullberg (see Gould, Rupert T. THE MARINE CHRONOMETER, Its History and Development figure 68, opposite page 180). Victor Kullberg is recorded in Mercer, Tony Chronometer Makers of the World as born in Sweden 1824, he was apparently drawn to London by the Great Exhibition of 1851 and subsequently set up business at 105 Liverpool N1 (by 1870). Kullberg developed several balances with middle error temperature compensation and became one of the finest makers of marine chronometers of the period; he died in 1890 leaving the business to be continued by George and Peter Wannerstrom. The current lot is also fitted with electrical connection posts to the box; in addition to this the movement 4th wheel also incorporates an auxiliary ratchet wheel which would have previously engaged with a detent to open and close electrical contacts (now removed). This would suggest that at some point in its life the current lot was used for electrical timing, perhaps in a laboratory.
A LATE 19TH CENTURY FRENCH INLAID SATINWOOD MANTEL CLOCK/ BAROMETER having a pillar-shaped case with floral inlays and scrolled sides, standing on a plinth base. The 4” circular silvered engraved dial having Roman numerals and surrounded with a gilded brass oak leaf border. Fronting an eight-day spring driven movement with silk suspension and outside count wheel strike on a steel bell. The front with a silvered engraved thermometer 41cm high.
Ω A fine and rare George III mahogany wheel barometer with pendulum timepiece and twelve inch dial James Gatty and George Jamison, London, circa 1800 With Swan neck pediment and silvered hydrometer inscribed Dry/Damp set behind glazed brass bezel to the upper section of the fine triple-strung rosewood crossbanded case, the baluster outline upright applied with arch-glazed Fahrenheit scale mercury thermometer over balloon-shaped timepiece with eight-day circular four pillar single fusee movement incorporating upside-down wheel train terminating with tic-tac escapement with offset pallets regulated by short silvered disc-shaped bob pendulum, the 4 inch circular silvered brass dial with engraved signature Jamison, Charing Cross over large subsidiary seconds dial interrupting the VI numeral to centre and gilt spade hands, set behind hinged balloon-shaped door with triple-line edged surround, the 12 inch elaborate foliate medallion-centred circular silvered register annotated in barometric inches and with the usual observations to circumference within generous cast brass bezel, the rounded base with disc for setting the recording pointer over glazed spirit level signed Ja s Gatty, high Holb n, LONDON, 117cm (46ins) high excluding finial. James Gatty is recorded in Goodison, Nicholas English Barometers 1680-1860 working from 130 and 132 High Holborn. His exact dates or whether he started as an optician or immigrant glassblower are unknown however a barometer by him was included in the sale of Sir William Chambers s furniture in 1796; a James Gattey is also recorded as working from 64 Tooley Street in 1802. Gatty is considered to be probably the most sought-after maker of early wheel barometers which tend to be of the finest quality. George Jamison is recorded in Baillie, G.H. Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World as working from London (Charing Cross) and Portsmouth (Queen Street) 1786-1810. Jamison was a highly skilled watchmaker who no doubt supplied watches to many Naval officers passing through Portsmouth and later worked in partnership with William Howells and Paul Phillip Barraud to produce marine chronometers to William Mudge s design (after the arrangement between Pennington Mudge and Howells broke down in 1796). In addition to chronometers Jamison is also known for his complex spherical skeleton clocks often incorporating astronomical features (see Roberts, Derek BRITISH SKELETON CLOCKS pages 18-19). The timepiece movement of the current lot is of fine quality with generous column-turned pilasters and delicate wheelwork and was clearly purpose-made with the trains configured with the escapement at six o clock to allow the short pendulum to swing beneath the movement (rather than behind). The incorporation of this into a fine instrument by Gatty compliments his high quality approach and adds to the importance of the current lot which can probably be fairly described as one of the finest mercury wheel barometers to come onto the market in recent years.Cites RegulationsPlease note that this lot (lots marked with the symbol Ω in the printed catalogue) may be subject to CITES regulations when exported from the EU. The CITES regulations may be found at www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla-en/imports-exports/cites
An early 20th Century mahogany cased wall clock, possibly French, face having enamel and black Roman numeral spaced markers together with barometer dial and thermometer, having a four pillar double barrel movement, together with an oak cased -PreviousLot:476-bracket clock with gilt metal face with enamel dial and two subsidiary dials to top, having Junghans four pillar workings. (2)
A QUEEN ANNE STYLE WALNUT STICK BAROMETER IN THE MANNER OF DANIEL QUARE, the silvered dials enclosed within a glazed rectangular case and surmounted by a central turned brass finial flanked by conforming adjusters, the circular section pillar above a spiral turning and brass-banded cylindrical base, early 20th century, 100cm high. See illustration
A Queen Anne style walnut mercury pillar barometer Unsigned, in the manner of Daniel Quare, probably early 20th century The rectangular glazed two-piece silvered scale divided for barometric inches and annotated with summer and winter observations beneath comment Fair if Rise, Foul if Fall to upper margin, the top with brass finial-shaped recording pointer adjustment screws above tube concealed within Doric column-turned upright with cavetto moulded upstand to capital and brass collars to the spiral fluted lower section of the shaft, the base with moulded cylindrical cistern incorporating pendant finial for level adjustment to underside, 99cm (39ins) high.
A Queen Anne style brass mounted walnut mercury pillar barometer Unsigned, in the manner of Daniel Quare, early 20th century The rectangular engraved brass superstructure enclosing two-piece silvered scale divided for barometric inches and annotated with summer and winter observations beneath grotesque mask engraved caddy flanked by brass finial-shaped recording pointer adjustment screws, above floral decorated rectangular panel to throat and tube concealed within Doric column-turned upright with cavetto moulded upstand to capital and brass collars to the spiral fluted lower section of the shaft, the base with moulded cylindrical cistern, 92cm (36.25ins) high; with a large alcohol Fahrenheit scale thermometer, recent, with arched brass plate in arch-glazed mahogany case with cavetto moulded base, 61.5cm (24.25ins) high, (2).
A fine and rare George III mahogany free-standing mercury pillar barometer. Nairne and Blunt, London, late 18th century, The arched silvered scale fitted to a rotating brass table to allow rotation around the large bore mercury tube, with rack and pinion adjusted vernier and pivoted mirror behind to allow accurate observation of the level beneath signature NAIRNE & BLUNT, LONDON to arch, the fluted column upright with flared capital and moulded base with lift-off front section secured by a clasp formed as a dummy keyhole to reveal interior with mercury tube of smaller diameter packed by cotton wadding, the two stage plinth incorporating up-sliding cover for the sealed boxwood cistern above moulding to waist and double skirt to base, 167cm (67.75ins) high overall. The collaboration between Edward Nairne and his former apprentice Thomas Blunt is recorded in Banfield, Edwin BAROMETER MAKERS AND RETAILERS 1660-1900 as established in 1774 and lasting until 1793. Edward Nairne was born in 1726 and apprenticed to the celebrated instrument maker, Matthew Loft, in 1741. Latterly he worked from 20 Cornhill and published numerous booklets on navigational, pneumatic and astronomical instruments. In 1776 Nairne devised a marine barometer with a restriction to the bore of the mercury tube which served to dampen the oscillation of the mercury, he was elected Fellow of the Royal Society in 1776 and died 1806. Thomas Blunt was apprenticed to Edward Nairne in 1760 with whom he formed a loose partnership in 1774, perhaps for mutual convenience as his premises were next door to Nairne`s at 22 Cornhill. Blunt designed some of the components for the `New Barometer` devised by the Portuguese Scientist J.H. Magellan for measuring altitude, and latterly became instrument maker to George III. In 1793 he took his son, also named Thomas, into partnership and subsequently relocated to 136 Minories in 1814, he died in 1822. The current lot is highly unusual as it takes the form of a free-standing pedestal designed to be fixed to the floor with a scale that can be rotated for viewing from any angle, the mirror attached to the rear of the scale enables the level to be sighted precisely. The non-portable and accurate nature of the instrument coupled with a finely executed case suggests that it was probably commissioned for a wealthy patron perhaps for use in a private laboratory.
*An unusual George III mahogany and burr elm domestic striking regulator of one week duration with centre seconds. Alexander Cumming, Inveraray, late 18th century. The substantial five pillar rack striking movement with deadbeat escapement, bolt-and-shutter maintaining power and six wheel going train, the backplate with aperture cut for the pallets and with wood-rod pendulum with heavy brass faced lenticular bob, the 12 inch square single sheet silvered brass Roman numeral dial with blued steel hands and signed Ale:r Cumming INVERARAY to an arched cartouche to centre within chapter ring with Arabic five minutes to outer track and fine scallop shell inhabited foliate scroll engraved decoration to spandrels, in a case with moulded cornice and turned columns to hood above burr elm veneered panel inset break-arch door to trunk, on plinth base veneered with conforming rectangular panel, on bracket feet, 207cm (81.5ins) high. Alexander Cumming was born circa 1732 and was working with his brother, John, in Inveraray by 1752. He was a founder member of the Scottish Royal Society in Edinburgh and by 1761 he had moved to London. Cumming was subsequently appointed as an `expert` by Act of Parliament to assess Harrison`s marine timekeepers, and in 1763 supplied the first ever recording barometer to George III which is still in the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace. In 1766 he published The Elements of Clock and Watch Work, he died in 1814. The current lot is an interesting early example of Cumming`s work and is perhaps a little experimental in nature. The six-wheel going train is unusual and was perhaps designed to remove errors in relation to its interaction with the strike train by delivering a high degree of power through the motionwork.
A William III brass lantern clock with ten inch square brass dial, Daniel Quare, London, circa 1695. The posted countwheel bell-striking movement with column turned corner uprights and now with anchor escapement, the 10 inch square brass dial with matted centre within an applied silvered Roman numeral chapter ring with stylised sword hilt half hour markers and signed Dan Quare, London to lower edge, with original steel hand and angles applied with winged cherub head and scroll cast spandrels, the frame with foliate pierced side frets and vase turned finials beneath domed bell bearer above, with rear hanging hoop and spurs to the turned ball feet, (lacking one side door and alarm) 40cm (16.75ins) high. Daniel Quare was admitted as Brother of the Clockmakers` Company in April 1671 and by 1683 he was working from Exchange Alley, London. He was selected as a member of the Court of Asssistants in 1698, later becoming Master in 1708. The following year he took a former apprentice, Stephen Horseman, into partnership which presumably lasted until Quare`s death in 1724. He was a fine inventive and commercially-minded maker who supplied clocks to significant European Royal and Aristocratic clients as well the Court of William III. As a Quaker, Quare refused an invitation from George I to be appointed `Royal Clockmaker` as his beliefs would not allow him to undertake the Oath of Allegiance, however an informal arrangement was agreed where Quare had open access to the palace via the back stairs. In addition to clocks, Quare is also famous for his `portable weather glass` or pillar barometer for which he sought a patent via the Clockmakers` Company in 1695. After his death in 1724 he was buried at the Quaker`s burial ground at Bunhill Fields.
A fine Regency large mahogany mercury wheel barometer with timepiece, L. Stampa, London, early 19th century, with 12 inch scroll-centre engraved circular silvered register calibrated in inches and with the usual annotations beneath 5 inch circular white Roman numeral timepiece dial fronting a single fusee circular four pillar movement with tic-tac escapement and signed Holmden, London to backplate, with arched mercury Fahrenheit thermometer to the shaped trunk and hygrometer to the swan neck pediment with ivory vase finial, the rounded base with spirit level signed L. STAMPA, Kirby Str"t, Hatton Garden, London and setting pointer adjustment square, the case with line-edged crossbanded borders to front edges, 126cm high. L. Stampa is recorded in Banfield, Edwin BAROMETER MAKERS & RETAILERS 1660-1900 as working circa 1800-20 where it is noted that he seemed to specialise in larger wheel barometers incorporating timepieces. John George Holmden is recorded in Baillie, G.H. Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World as working in London 1807-40 Visit www.dnfa.com for condition reports
A brass-mounted mahogany portable cistern tube pillar barometer Unsigned, in the manner of Daniel Quare, mid 20th century With gilt brass break-arch top mounted with central tube supporting cylinder and finial flanked by further vase shaped finials which turn to adjust the scale pointers, above foliate engraved infill to arch and glazed silvered scale mounted onto scroll decorated block and with wooden panel to rear, the stop-fluted columnar shaft with brass collar to waist and spiral turned lower section, on plinth form base containing cistern fitted with four hinged mask and scroll mounted shaped brass feet, 104cm high, B.C. Ref. 3. This barometer is a faithful copy of a form developed by Daniel Quare at the turn of the 18th century, however several examples of this pattern exist that are signed by John Patrick. An almost exact original example is illustrated in Goodison, Nicholas English BAROMETERS 1680-1860 pages 210 and 211.
A brass-mounted ebonised cistern tube pillar barometer Adams, London, in the manner of Daniel Quare, circa 1925. The brass break-arch top with three ball finials, the left turning to operate the single pointer, above glazed rectangular silvered scale signed Adams, London above brass collar and fluted shaft with swollen spiral turned lower section and moulded brass base, on plinth form stand containing cistern fitted with four hinged shaped brass feet, 103cm high, B.C. Ref. 4. This barometer is a copy of a form developed by Daniel Quare at the turn of the 18th century, however several examples of this pattern exist that are signed by John Patrick.
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