123-C-0699

BIRGE, MALLORY, & CO. TRIPLE DECKER SHELF CLOCK
INDEX # : 123-C-0699

circa: 1837-1843

CLOCK STYLE Triple Decker Shelf Clock

CLOCK NAME N/A

MANUFACTURE

Birge, Mallory & Co. Bristol, Conn.

John Birge (1785-1862), image to left

Sheldon Lewis (????-1838)
Thomas Fuller (????-1848)
Ambrose Peck (????-????)

Ransom Mallory (1792-1853), image to left

CASE MODEL # N/A

MOVEMENT TYPE

Large strap brass movement, 8 day weight driven, T&S, hour strike on cast bell. Movement is stamped "B.M. & Co.".

CASE SIZE & CONSTRUCTION Base = 17", Height = 36", Depth = 5"

Walnut veneered Triple Decker case with original plaster splat. Columns have original gilt and simulated burl walnut finish. Top columns (half) are 13", ,middle columns (full) are 7 3/4", and bottom columns (half) are 8".

LABEL INFORMATION

Excellent condition, stating:

"Patent / Eight-Day / Clocks / (to run Seven Days by once Winding) / Manufactured by / Birge, Mallory & Co. / Bristol, Conn. / and Sold Wholesale and Retail / Warranted if well used"

Printer was "Joseph Hurlbut, Printer, Hartford"

I believe the word "Patent" suggests the use of Joseph Ives patent for roller pinions, or the strike control wire extension which are both used in this movement.

DIAL INFORMATION

Original wood dial with white hand painted background with gold leaf spandrels and numeral rings, black Roman numerals. Dial is 12" x 11 1/4", with a 10 1/4" chapter ring. Dial glass (11" x 11") is original, and is held in place with putty.

MISC. FEATURES

Original reverse glass painting of flowers with gold leaf border. Tablet is 11" x 6", and is held in place by putty. Glass still has ~50% of original painting in tact.

Middle tablet is a mirror panel and is 13 3/4" x 7 3/4". Mirror may be original or early replacement.

Clock has original pendulum bob, door key, and hour/minute hands.

ACQUIRED FROM Mart table at the 1999 NAWCC National at the Astro Hall in Houston, TX.

CONDITION WHEN ACQUIRED Clock running, movement in very good condition. Splat has minor damage to left scroll, minor veneer chips on case, reverse glass painting has ~50% loss.

RESTORATION N/A

HISTORICAL DATA John Birge was born in 1785, and died in Bristol, Conn. in 1862. He was an important figure in the American clock industry, and had many successful partnerships through out his career. It is recorded that he fought in the war of 1812, was active in the church, and was a good Christian. Birge settled in Bristol, Conn. around 1815, he had previously lived in Torrington, Conn. He was trained as a carpenter, and set up business in Bristol making carriages. He was not a clockmaker, but he did have a good head for business, and around 1822 he invested capitol in a clock making venture with Dr. Titus Merriman. The company produced clocks under the name Merriman Birge & Co. In 1830, Birge became a silent partner in the firm of C. & L.C. Ives. During this period, I believe he may have also produced some clocks under his own name. From 1833 through 1837, he was involved in several firms including Birge, Case & Co., Birge, Gilbert & Co., and Birge & Gilbert. In 1837, the firm Birge, Mallory & Co. was formed with principles John Birge, Ransom Mallory (made cases for Chauncey Jerome prior to joining in this firm), Sheldon Lewis, Thomas Fuller, and Ambrose Peck. The firm was known for their Triple Decker shelf clocks, and continued producing 8 day and 30 hour brass movement shelf clocks through 1843, when the firm was dissolved.

REFERENCES 1. "The Book of American Clocks" by Brooks Palmer, 1950.
2. "Price Guide to Antique Clocks" by Robert & Harriett Swedburg, 1988, pg. 18, picture of similar clock.
3. "The American Clock" by William H. Diston & Robert Bishop, 1976, pg. 147, picture of similar clock.

NOTES Purchased this clock during the 1999 NAWCC National Convention in Houston, TX.. We also made a side trip down to Galveston, TX., and toured one of the historic homes on the island.

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CLOCK STYLE	Triple Decker Shelf Clock
CLOCK NAME	N/A
MANUFACTURE	Birge, Mallory & Co. Bristol, Conn. John Birge (1785-1862), image to left Sheldon Lewis (????-1838) Thomas Fuller (????-1848) Ambrose Peck (????-????) Ransom Mallory (1792-1853), image to left
CASE MODEL #	N/A
MOVEMENT TYPE	Large strap brass movement, 8 day weight driven, T&S, hour strike on cast bell. Movement is stamped "B.M. & Co.".
CASE SIZE & CONSTRUCTION	Base = 17", Height = 36", Depth = 5" Walnut veneered Triple Decker case with original plaster splat. Columns have original gilt and simulated burl walnut finish. Top columns (half) are 13", ,middle columns (full) are 7 3/4", and bottom columns (half) are 8".
LABEL INFORMATION	Excellent condition, stating: "Patent / Eight-Day / Clocks / (to run Seven Days by once Winding) / Manufactured by / Birge, Mallory & Co. / Bristol, Conn. / and Sold Wholesale and Retail / Warranted if well used" Printer was "Joseph Hurlbut, Printer, Hartford" I believe the word "Patent" suggests the use of Joseph Ives patent for roller pinions, or the strike control wire extension which are both used in this movement.
DIAL INFORMATION	Original wood dial with white hand painted background with gold leaf spandrels and numeral rings, black Roman numerals. Dial is 12" x 11 1/4", with a 10 1/4" chapter ring. Dial glass (11" x 11") is original, and is held in place with putty.
MISC. FEATURES	Original reverse glass painting of flowers with gold leaf border. Tablet is 11" x 6", and is held in place by putty. Glass still has ~50% of original painting in tact. Middle tablet is a mirror panel and is 13 3/4" x 7 3/4". Mirror may be original or early replacement. Clock has original pendulum bob, door key, and hour/minute hands.
ACQUIRED FROM	Mart table at the 1999 NAWCC National at the Astro Hall in Houston, TX.
CONDITION WHEN ACQUIRED	Clock running, movement in very good condition. Splat has minor damage to left scroll, minor veneer chips on case, reverse glass painting has ~50% loss.
RESTORATION	N/A
HISTORICAL DATA	John Birge was born in 1785, and died in Bristol, Conn. in 1862. He was an important figure in the American clock industry, and had many successful partnerships through out his career. It is recorded that he fought in the war of 1812, was active in the church, and was a good Christian. Birge settled in Bristol, Conn. around 1815, he had previously lived in Torrington, Conn. He was trained as a carpenter, and set up business in Bristol making carriages. He was not a clockmaker, but he did have a good head for business, and around 1822 he invested capitol in a clock making venture with Dr. Titus Merriman. The company produced clocks under the name Merriman Birge & Co. In 1830, Birge became a silent partner in the firm of C. & L.C. Ives. During this period, I believe he may have also produced some clocks under his own name. From 1833 through 1837, he was involved in several firms including Birge, Case & Co., Birge, Gilbert & Co., and Birge & Gilbert. In 1837, the firm Birge, Mallory & Co. was formed with principles John Birge, Ransom Mallory (made cases for Chauncey Jerome prior to joining in this firm), Sheldon Lewis, Thomas Fuller, and Ambrose Peck. The firm was known for their Triple Decker shelf clocks, and continued producing 8 day and 30 hour brass movement shelf clocks through 1843, when the firm was dissolved.
REFERENCES	1. "The Book of American Clocks" by Brooks Palmer, 1950. 2. "Price Guide to Antique Clocks" by Robert & Harriett Swedburg, 1988, pg. 18, picture of similar clock. 3. "The American Clock" by William H. Diston & Robert Bishop, 1976, pg. 147, picture of similar clock.
NOTES	Purchased this clock during the 1999 NAWCC National Convention in Houston, TX.. We also made a side trip down to Galveston, TX., and toured one of the historic homes on the island.