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Click here to subscribeGents 1902 cushion cased 9ct yellow Gold 15 jewel Rolex Prima with cream dial and sub- seconds dial at the 6 position. Comes with expanding 9ct yellow gold back & front expanding bracelet strap by Excalibur and is fitted with a contemporary Crocodile calfskin strap. Watch comes with a 1980's jewellery valuation and is in a 2 part Harrod's watch box
A George II gold pair-cased pocket watch with champleve dial and repousse outer case James Chater, London, circa 1739; the outer case decoration possibly by Augustin Heckel The gilt full plate single fusee verge movement with four square baluster pillars pinned through the backplate, scroll-pierced stop-iron block and later conversion to English lever escapement regulated by sprung three-arm balance with Tompion type adjustment and ruby cabochon endstone, the backplate with fine symmetrical foliate scroll pierced and engraved balance cock with faceted bright-cut rim and grotesque mask at the junction of the conforming pierced broad foot flanked by silvered regulation disc with adjacent applied scroll pierced infill opposing signature Jam s Chater, LONDON, 4989, fitted with circular gold champleve dial with ribbon panel signature banners engraved CHATER, LONDON to the scroll decorated matted centre within Roman numeral chapter ring with fluer-de-lys half hour markers and Arabic lozenge five minute numerals to outer track, with blued steel beetle and poker hands, the plain inner case indistinctly stamped probably with date letter d for 1739 and indistinct maker's mark R.D (?) . to interior, fitted with convex glass and suspension post with pivoted scroll handle, the outer case decorated in relief with scene traditionally entitled Roman Charity depicting Cimon been suckled by Pero within a quartered scroll surround and alternating panels of musical and martial trophies within a foliate decorated matted field, the hinged retaining bezel similarly decorated, the pillar plate 36mm (1.375ins) diameter, the outer case 49mm (1.875ins) diameter overall. Provenance: Private collection, Hampshire (ref. C27); purchased at Phillip s, London, 26th June 2001 (lot 167) for £1,400 hammer. James Chater senior is recorded in Baillie, G.H. Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World as being admitted to the Clockmakers' Company 1718, gaining his freedom in 1726 and died 1762, Baillie describes him as an 'eminent' maker. He had two sons James junior (admitted 1746, free 1753, worked until 1785) and Eliezer (free 1751, Liveryman 1766, Master 1772, died 1777). James and Eliezer are thought to have worked with their father from 1753-62, after which the firm was continued as a partnership between the two brothers. The layout of the decoration to the rear of the outer case of the current lot can be closely compared to an example by Augustin Heckel illustrated in Edgcumbe, Richard THE ART OF THE GOLD CHASER IN EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY LONDON Figures 38a-f. In particular the quartering of the cartouche and delicate form of scrollwork forming the inner border together with the symmetrical leafy scrolls dividing the pictorial panels beyond is very similar in their execution. The scene depicts Pero suckling her father Cimon secretly whilst visiting him prison prior to his martyrdom, which, since the Renaissance, had often been depicted with the symbolic title Roman Charity. Edgcumbe notes (pages 57-66) that two books of designs for Heckel s chasing survive, one at Yale, the other in The Victoria and Albert Museum. The latter includes a design entitled Roman Charity as engraved by Jacques Philippe Le Bas after an original work by Noel-Nicholas Coypel. Although the scene depicted in the current lot varies somewhat from the original by N. N. Coypel Edcumbe notes (on page 58) that Heckel often made substantial changes to those drawn in his design books. Augustin Heckel was a German émigré who is thought to have arrived in London (from Augsburg) between 1715 and 1720. He is believed to have retired to Richmond in around 1746 and died in 1770. It is likely that he was succeeded by his cousin, Christopher Heckel, whose surviving work suggests that the latter only worked with silver.
A fine and rare Scottish brass mounted mahogany stick barometer with hygrometer William Dobbie to a design by John Russell, Falkirk, circa 1845 The chevron banded case with swan neck pediment and cavetto cornice above arch-glazed door enclosing fine engraved silvered brass scale incorporating HYGROMETER calibrated 0-30 in both directions and annotated DRY/MOIST flanked by fine foliate scroll infill to arch, above arched banner titled BAROMETER and signed W m Dobbie, Falkirk over Vernier scale calibrated in barometric inches and with the usual weather observations positioned to the right of the tube, opposing spirit tube Fahrenheit thermometer similarly labelled THERMOMETER in an arch above to the left, the trunk applied with full-height Corinthian half column with reeded shaft and cast brass capital and base over slightly domed oval cistern cover, 110cm (43.25ins) high excluding finial. Provenance: Private collection, Hampshire (ref. B44); purchased from J.W. Blanchard Limited, Winchester, 14th January 1993 for £1,700. William Dobbie is recorded in Loomes, Brian Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World, volume 2 as a clock and watchmaker born in Falkirk, 1796 and died 1845. The design of the current lot was devised by the celebrated clock and watch maker John Russell who settled in Falkirk in 1770 in a shop opposite the top of Kirk Wynd. He subsequently became watch maker to the Prince of Wales and died in 1817. The basic design of the current lot was probably developed around 1785 by Russell and appears to have be closely related to that of Benjamin Martin s Triple Weather Glass (an example of which was sold in these rooms in our sale of Mallett: Taking Stock 8th November 2018, lot 109). In his work English BAROMETERS 1680-1860 Nicholas Goodison refers to an excerpt from the Alloa Monthly Advertiser of 7th February 1845 in which it was announced that William Dobbie of Falkirk had just completed two of Russell s splendid royal barometers (now scarce), warranted identical with those made by the original constructor.. from this it would appear that Dobbie was trading on the back of Russell s reputation or perhaps even as his successor. Indeed the current lot would support the latter as the engraving to the register plate is all but identical to an example by Russell illustrated by Goodison on page 230 (plate 157).
An Edwardian 15ct gold cased aneroid pocket barometer with altimeter scale Ross, London, 1907 The 1.75 inch circular silvered register signed ROSS, LONDON, 892 and inscribed within concentric scale calibrated for barometric inches divided into twentieths and annotated with basic weather observations within rotating outer scale calibrated in feet from 0 to 8,000 and divided for 100 foot intervals, the pocket watch type case with suspension ring, machined bezel and engraved inscription ROB T EMMET. MORETON MORRELL, WARWICK, ENG. to circumference, marks for Chester 1907, diameter 5cm (2ins). Provenance: Private collection, Hampshire (ref. B57). Andrew Ross is recorded in Clifton, Gloria Directory of British Scientific Instrument Makers 1550-1851 as working from various addresses in London 1830-59: 5 Albemarle St., St. John s Square, Clerkenwell (1831-2); 15 St. John s Square, Clerkenwell (1832-9); 33 Regent Circus, Piccadilly (1839-43); 21 Featherstone Buildings, Clerkenwell (1843-7); 2 Featherstone Buildings Clerkenwell (1848-53) and 2-3 Featherstone Buildings, Holborn (1854-59). Ross was a founder member of the Microscopical Society of London; he died in 1859 and was succeeded by Thomas Ross. The firm continued as one of the principal manufacturers of optical and other instruments through various successors until 1982. The inscription relates to Robert Emmet who was a wealthy American-born banker of Irish heritage born in New York in 1872. By 1901 he was living with his wife Louise and three infant sons in Barford, Warwickshire before building a substantial and authentic recreation of an Elizabethan manor house called Moreton Paddox at Moreton Morrell, Warwickshire. A fascinating account of him and his family can be found online at The Great War in Villages Project.The images in the printed catalogue have been transposed but are correctly illustrated on our website and other online platforms.
A Victorian silver cased aneroid pocket barometer with altimeter scale John Browning, London, 1871 The 1.75 inch open-centred circular silvered register signed JOHN BROWNING, LONDON, and inscribed within concentric scale calibrated for barometric inches divided into fiftieths within rotating outer scale calibrated in feet from 0 to 4,450 and divided for 25 foot intervals, the pocket watch type case with suspension ring, machined circumference and engine-turned back centred with a vacant scroll cartouche, marks for London 1871, diameter 5cm (2ins). Provenance: Private collection, Hampshire (ref. B60). John Browning is recorded in Banfield, Edwin BAROMETER MAKERS AND RETAILERS 1660-1900 as working from various addresses in London from 1662 until after 1900; he was Optical & Physical Instrument Maker to Her Majesty s Government, The Royal Observatory and Kew Observatory .
An oxidised brass cased aneroid pocket surveying barometer with altimeter scale E.R. Watts and Son, London, circa 1920 The 2.75 inch circular silvered register inscribed Surveying Aneriod, Compensated, E.R. WATTS & SON, LONDON, 1306 to the recessed centre within concentric scale calibrated for barometric inches divided into twentieths and outer scale calibrated in feet from 0 to 6,000 anticlockwise opposing 0-2000 clockwise divided for 20 foot intervals, the periphery with rotating ring engraved with a Vernier 0-20 scale also divided into twentieths, the cylindrical bevel-glazed case fitted with pivoted magnifying glass and milled rotating crown for moving and viewing the Vernier scale, with suspension ring and inscribed with retailer s signature JAMES MURRAY & Co., CALCUTTA to rear, 7.6cm (3ins) diameter. Provenance: Private collection, Hampshire (ref. B76). The firm of Edward Richard Watts and Son is recorded in Banfield, Edwin BAROMETER MAKERS AND RETAILERS 1660-1900 as trading from 123 Camberwell Road, London from 1899. During the 1920 s the firm became E.R. Watts and Son Limited and amalgamated with Adam Hilger Limited to form Hilger and Watts in 1948. The retailer s signature to the back of the current lot indicates that it was supplied through the celebrated firm of watch and marine chronometer makers, James Murray and Company, who moved to Calcutta in around 1880 and traded until 1847.
A fine Scottish patinated brass garden sundial plate with equation of time Adie and Son for retail by W.D. Young and Company, Edinburgh, circa 1835 The 19 inch circular plate centred with an eight-point compass rose with stylised leafy scroll and hatched decoration to segments within track engraved WATCH SLOWER and WATCH FASTER twice and full annual calendar annotated with solar time variance (equation of time) within herringbone border and compass band engraved N. NE, E, SE, S SW, W and NW , the chapter ring incorporating five-minute inner border and Roman numerals IIII-XII-VIII with tied lozenge half hour markers, the outer track divided into sixtieths denoting one minute intervals, the chapter ring terminating with simulated scrolls after the IIII and VIII numerals with engraved signature Adie & Son, EDINBURGH over SOLD BY W.D. YOUNG & Co. 54 HANOVER STR T, EDIN B to space between (gnomon lacking). Alexander Adie is recorded in Goodison, Nicholas English Barometers 1680-1860 as born 1774 and apprenticed to his uncle the eminent Scottish instrument maker John Miller in 1789. In 1804 his uncle took him into partnership under the name of Miller and Adie, the business continued until after Miller's death in 1815. Adie was particularly interested in meteorological instruments and is perhaps best known as the inventor of the Sympiesometer in 1818. In recognition of his work he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1819. He was appointed optician to William IV and later Queen Victoria and took one of his Sons, John, into partnership in 1835. Two of his other sons set up businesses; Robert in Liverpool and Patrick in London. Unfortunately John Adie was prone to 'Fits of Despondency' which resulted in him shooting himself in 1857, Alexander Adie died the following year -no doubt expediated by the stress of his son's demise. The firm W.D. Young and Company do not appear to be recorded in the usual sources suggesting that they may have been general retailers.
A fine Victorian Reformed Gothic oak longcase wall regulator timepiece in the manner of A.W.N. Pugin The movement probably attributed to the workshop of James Condliff, Liverpool for Isaac Simmons, Manchester, third quarter of the 19th century The massive eight-day five double-screwed baluster pillar frosted gilt movement with thick canted top angle plates measuring 9.5 by 7.75 inches enclosing wheel train with high pinion count, six-spoke wheel crossings and screw depth adjustment for all pivots terminating at the plates, with Harrison s maintaining power and deadbeat escapement incorporating jewelled pallets regulated by Frodsham/Dent type metal jar mercury compensated pendulum with weight tray for fine adjustment and fine beat adjustment to crutch, with winding via offset square to right hand side, the 12 inch circular silvered brass dial with subsidiary seconds over Roman numeral hour dial and signed I. Simmons, 7 St. Ann s, Square, Manchester to centre within outer minute track and canted silvered bezel, the movement and dial supported on a substantial gilt brass bracket attached to the 2 inch thick case backboard beneath wide-jaw pendulum suspension with fine screw position adjustment, the interior also applied with a silvered tapered scale for the pendulum weight tray calibrated 0-12 divided into eighths over plate engraved ARNOLD & LEWIS, SUCCESSORS TO, I. SIMMONS, WATCH & CLOCK MANUFACTURERS to centre section beneath dial, and beat scale to base, the exterior with triple stylised trefoil fronted canted mansard frieze flanked by pointed spires to pediment over heavy front door with entwined curved baton carved band over arch-glazed panel flanked by stylised ogee stepped sections decorated with rosettes over Gothic columns with foliate caps and moulded bands to shafts, the sides with slender rectangular glass windows set into 2 inch thick channel moulded surrounds incorporating hole for the indirect movement winding to right hand side, the base with cavetto apron flanked by plinths beneath the front door over triple substantial chevron-carved quarter-round fronted cavetto-outline brackets with elaborate complex horizontal moulded infill between and reeded panels to upper and lower margins, the superstructure containing a piece of oak stencilled with a blue rosette motif trademark, 216cm (85ins) high. Isaac Simmons is recorded in Loomes, Brian Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World, Volume 2 as working in Manchester 1834-51. Online sources further suggest that he opened jewellers at Long Millgate in 1822, by 1832 he had moved to fashionable 9 St Ann s Square then again to number 7 by 1851 where he remained until 1871. Simmons was succeeded by Arnold and Lewis who continued at the same address until circa 1905. Contemporary directories also list Arnold and Lewis as retail jewellers and makers of watches and chronometers. Indeed the many fine quality watches that survive bearing their name suggest that they had a very wealthy clientele and were a major retail outlet for the watches made in the Prescott watch workshops. Details such as the design of weight pulley, left/right position-adjustable pendulum suspension block, extensive use of screw end stops and overall quality of the movement suggest that it may have been supplied to Simmons by James Condliff of Liverpool. James Condliff first set up in business at 32 Gerard Street, Liverpool, in 1816. Between 1816-1827 Condliff had premises in Gerard Street, Circus Street and Fraser Street; after 1827 he was joined by Joseph Condliff and they continued to work at Fraser Street (probably the workshops) and also in Clare Street. In 1846 a branch of the business opened in Everton under Joseph's name and that year also John Condliff appears, at premises at Mount Vernon. The last Condliff in the business was Thomas who is recorded as working between 1867-1914, whilst the last mention of James dates to 1884, although it is likely that he had retired by 1862. The quality of the movement of the current lot combined with the massive construction of the case complete with facility for external winding indicate that it was intended for an important location where a high degree accuracy was required. One such possibility is that it was made as the shop regulator for Simmonds premises in St. Ann s Square. A letter, dated 1851, to the editor of the Manchester Guardian confirms that Simmons utilised a highly accurate regulator on his premises: To the editor of the Manchester Guardian Sir, In reply to the complaints of A Subscriber , in your publication of Wednesday last, on the subject of the incorrectness of the public clocks, I take leave to say to say there is but too much truth in his remarks. For a number of years I have had my chief regulator tested by transit observations; the result in nearly all cases showing 2 minutes slower than the time as indicated by the public clocks. An observatory such as that in Liverpool is quite unnecessary in this, an inland town. Nor do I see the utility of incurring the expense of telegraphing Greenwich time, which, for the reasons stated above, can always be had at my shop, and is cheerfully offered for the use of such as may feel disposed to avail themselves of it.- The favour of your inserting the above will oblige, and apologising for trespassing on your valuable time, I am, sir, yours faithfully I.SIMMONS 7 St Ann s Square April 3rd 1851 The possibility of the current lot being used as the shop regulator is perhaps further supported by the presence of the silvered signature plate for Simmons s successors Arnold and Lewis applied to the inside of the case. It is perhaps interesting to note that soon after they took over the Simmons business in 1871 Arnold and Lewis installed a shop regulator (in July 1872) with a galvinometer connected to Greenwich. An exterior clock dial at their premises (designed by Edward Salomons architect) with a Greenwich style falling ball dropping at 1pm daily was also installed. This was reported in the Manchester Guardian, and no doubt provided endless publicity for the new proprietors. The installation of this new technology may have required the previous shop timepiece to be moved-on by Arnold and Lewis. Another possibility is that the current lot may have been supplied to a very wealthy discerning private client or a business where accuracy was highly valued. Indeed the strong architectural styling would suggest that it may have been conceived as part of a homogenous scheme created by a leading architect in the highly fashionable Reformed Gothic style. The leading exponent of the Reformed Gothic movement was A.W.N. Pugin although many other architects and designers such as Eastlake and Burgess adopted the style. Reformed Gothic was at its height during the 1850 s-60 s but, as with all fashionable styles, muscular Reformed Gothic was superseded by the more romantic Venetian Gothic style championed by Ruskin and the Aesthetic Movement with Japanese influences developed by architects such as Edward William Godwin. The enormous wealth generated through the massive expansion in industry in the Manchester area at this time would have ensured a healthy clientele for high status objects leading to large manufactories such as Lamb of Manchester working hard to keep abreast of fashion. As of yet the designer or maker of the case of the current lot has not been established, however the presence of a stencilled rosette trademark on a piece of timber (formerly concealed in the top of the case) may provide a strong clue and thus presents the prospective purchaser with a potentially rewarding research project.
An interesting collection of First World War and Royal Flying Corps ephemera belonging to G S Farmer, including a gun sight, flight goggles, compass, pocket watch, aerial navigation notes, trench maps of the Western Front, various training manuals including Royal Flying Corps, Practical Flying, a Complete Course of Flying Instructions published by Temple Press, two copies of 'Flight' magazine, Royal Sussex Regimental History, and local interest, The Corn Exchange 1916, programme of Tableaux Vivants, later World War Two training manuals and information pamphlets, etc
Pocket Watches - a late Victorian openface pocket watch, S Smith & Son, London, white dial, bold Roman numerals, minute track, silver case, London 1899, inscribed verso Mr Fred Tannett Wake to PTE W Winter of the Leeds Rifles on his departure for the War in South Africa, May 11th 1900; another English Lever, Chester 1902; Balmoral lady's enamel cased fob watch etc (5)
Collection of Ephemera to 183097 Capt Frederick K Forrester, MBE plus an incomplete manuscript by Lt Edward Rhodes, Pioneer Corps. Warrant to Capt Forrester for his OBE 19/04/1945 and letter for his MBE 25/02/1947. Folder containing newspaper and magazine cuttings, with a focus on the Italian campaign and many on the theme of post-war careers and teaching. Copy of 8th Army News for 03/05/1945 ‘Italy War Over, Hitler is Dead’. Inter-war photo (c.8” x 6”) Chigwell School OTC, Pioneer Corps NCO group photo (c.12” x 8”) signed Maj Spooner 7.10.40, 2 x officer grouping Pioneer Corps photo (c.8” x 6”). 8th Army pamphlets ‘The Post War Training of Teachers’ and ‘Summary of Recommendations of the McNair Report . Supply, Recruitment and Training on Teachers..’, ‘Lecture Notes, Background to the Allies’ from 1944, Ministry of Education wartime pamphlets ‘Notes for Intended Teachers’. War Office booklet Notes on Map Reading 1929 with Amendments to 1939. Army notebook inscribed S/O Forrester, F K, No 13033458 plus several military training pamphlets. Defence Medal Army Form with summary of his wartime service. Letter dated 09/05/1946 confirming Maj Forrester’s appointment to DADL 3 District (Deputy Assistant Director of Labour) in Italy. Envelope of photos from cattle farming family member in Australia, most annotated on reverse. Envelope with unattributed photos of a sinking ship rescue at sea. An incomplete 70pp typed foolscap manuscript telling the story of 142073 L/Cpl Edward Rhodes, later an officer. A senior soldier at the outbreak of war, he had served in WWI, he started in the ranks of the Royal Artillery at a coastal battery in Cornwall. Late 1940 he was selected for officer training and joined the Pioneer Corps, serving in Algeria and Italy with 307 Coy. He writes a series of humorous recollections and reflections on his army service; one being a highly evocative description of Battery night watch on the coast during a bitterly cold, soaking wet, ‘bloody’ night.
TWO GOLD VINAGRETTES AND A FIGURAL WATCH KEY, EARLY 19TH CENTURYcomprising:a) an amphora-shaped vinagrette engraved in classical style with a female holding a wreath and another with a fan, base with presentation dated 1832, with gold chain; length not inclusive of chain: 4.5 cm (1 3/4 in.), weight: 21 gb) a fluted egg-shape vinagrette with pierced inner cover; length including loop: 4 cm (1 9/16 in.), weight: 26.3 gc) a watch key in the form of a deer and a doe flanking a tree with sardonyx seal base; with gold chain; length not inclusive of chain: 3.4 cm (1 5/16 in.), weight: 8.8 gTotal weight: 56 gPROVENANCESotheby`s, October 19-20, 2016, lot 523LOT NOTESFrom the collection of Lansdell K. Christis, New York
A SILVER PAIR CASED VERGE WATCH S ROBERTS LONDON No 5953 with enamel dial and silvered regulation to the engraved movement, 57mm diam, casemaker William Linsley, London 1810++Movement in apparently working order, running when wound, dial slightly chipped below 6, retaining what is probably the original flat centred glass, stem undamaged, no play in hinges. Outer case well preserved with the push piece intact, of relatively heavy gauge
GENT'S RARE VINTAGE STAINLESS STEEL ROLEX EXPLORER II OYSTER PERPETUAL 'OFFICIAL CERTIFIED' SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER WRIST WATCH, with automatic movement, circular black dial with batons, date aperture at 3 o'clock, sweep seconds hand, and coloured GMT hand, stainless steel 24 hour bezel, integral stainless steel Oyster bracelet, circa 1970's
A group of silver and silver scrap comprising an Art Deco style ladies dress watch inset with paste, a pair of sugar nips, Sheffield 1905, John Round & Son Ltd, a button hook, Birmingham 1909, Crisford & Norris Ltd, a butter knife, London 1926, Josiah Williams & Co, a silver signet ring and a group of scrap silver including three 1920's shillings, 9.84toz total weight, together with an 18ct gold and paste wishbone ring, size P, 1.8g and an 8ct garnet cluster ring, band marked 333, size S, 2.4g, a/f one stone missing. (q)
A group of watches, comprising a a lady's gold plated Omega wristwatch, circa 1980, Faure-Leuba lady's 1960's wristwatch, a Philippe Chariol gentlemans chronograph with moon phases, date and month, and two further subsidiary dials, within a rope twist bezel, a gold coloured Gucci watch, 3000m, numbered 0139292 to bezel, two Swatch watches, and a Calvin Klein watch. (7)
A 9ct yellow gold ladies wristwatch by Garrard, the circular dial with gold coloured baton numerals on an articulated bracelet strap, together with a ladies part 9ct yellow gold wristwatch on an expanding bracelet strap and a part 9ct yellow gold expanding watch strap, overall 32.8 gms (3)*Garrard watch with following inscription 'Presented to Miss R. E. Wilkins by the directors of Rolls-Royce (1971) Ltd. S. E. D. for 20 years service 1951-1971'
A Jewellery Box Containing A Large Collection Of Mixed Costume Jewellery Three compartment case with inner mirror containing over fifty items of costume jewellery to include several gold tone necklaces by Napier, crystal set clip on earrings, novelty brooches, faux pearl necklace etc. Also a ladies crystal set cocktail watch in original box by Van Peterson in as new condition. Finally a boxed 1980's gold tone collar necklace with central snaffle buckle detail by Napier.
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