188-C-0609

CLOCK STYLE	Triple Decker Shelf Clock
CLOCK NAME	N/A
MANUFACTURE	John Birge, Bristol, Conn. John Birge (1785-1862)
CASE MODEL #	N/A
MOVEMENT TYPE	Early strap brass, 8-Day with hour strike on a cast bell. This movement is believed to be the 3rd variant of Joseph Ives 8 Day movement as it has the outboard fan bearing, fine teeth, and no lines on the straps. Lead winding drums.
CASE DIMENSIONS & CONSTRUCTION	Base=17", Height=37 1/2", Depth=5" Columns: Top 1/2 Columns are 13" Middle Full Columns are 7 1/2" Bottom 1/2 Columns are 7 1/2" Mahogany veneer was used throughout the case. Very intricate carving on the splat and the top and bottom half columns, carved claw feet.
LABEL INFORMATION	Good label stating: "Patent Brass / Eight-Day / Clocks, / Manufactured by / John Birge, / Bristol, Conn. / and sold / Wholesale and Retail. / Warranted If Well Used." Printer was" Joseph Hurlbut, printer, Hartford, Conn.
DIAL INFORMATION	Original dial is in good condition with some stretch marks. It is wood with black roman letters, and gold leaf chapter rings. The corner spandrels and center decorations are gold leaf over gesso. The chapter ring is 10". The dial has a view port which should have a mirror that can be lowered and raised for viewing the escapement. This will be restored at a later date. The dial glass has been replaced with period glass by a previous owner. It is 11" x 11" and is held in place with wood strips.
MISC FEATURES	The clock has it original hour and minute hands, pendulum bob, and winding key. The original lower tablet is reverse a painted transfer with gold leaf border and heart-shaped pendulum bob opening. The tablet is 11" x 5 1/2" and is held in place with putty. The original center mirror tablet is 14" x 7 3/4" The weights are period replacements. The trapezoidal weights are 6 5/8" H. The strike side weight is 8 lbs, 6 oz, and the time side weight is 8 lbs, 4 oz. The weight channels on both sides of the movement extend beyond the top of the lower door. The columns and splat are in excellent condition and heavily carved, as are the claw feet.
ACQUIRED FROM	Acquired this clock from a good friend, and private collector of early American clocks, who has had this clock in his personal collection for quite some time.
CONDITION WHEN ACQUIRED	Case is in excellent condition with no missing veneer. The movement looks to be in good condition, although it is in need of a good cleaning. Condition of the movement will be further examined once I disassemble and clean.
RESTORATION INFO	October 2009 - Broke down movement and cleaned in ultrasonic cleaner. Re-assembled, oiled & adjusted, set clock to running. Bottom image is movement set up in test stand after cleaning.
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, he also produced some clocks under his own name and also under the name Birge & Ives (Joseph). This clock is an great example of what Birge was producing during 1830-1831 under his own name.
REFERENCES	1. "Early American Clocks", Don Maust, 1971 2. "The Contributions of Joseph Ives to Connecticut Clock Technology 1810-1862", Kenneth D. Roberts, 1988
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