193-C-0609

CLOCK STYLE	Column & Cornice Shelf Clock
CLOCK NAME	N/A
MANUFACTURE	M.W. Atkins, Bristol, Conn. Merritt Washington Atkins (1804-1873)
CASE MODEL #	N/A
MOVEMENT TYPE	Rare movement, brass, 8 Day with hour strike on cathedral gong (Type 7.1). This was the first production 8 day movement by M.W. Atkins (following the Atkins & Porter variants). The feet of the movement are extended with riveted brass strips, this effectively made a 30-hour movement frame able to support the wheels necessary for an 8-Day train. Note that all three of the main wheels on the strike and time trains are the same diameter. The count wheel is affixed to the back of the number 2 strike wheel and is friction fitted. Presumably this was done to defeat Noble Jerome's strike mechanism patent.
CASE DIMENSIONS & CONSTRUCTION	Base=20" , Height=32 3/4", Depth=6 1/8" Mahogany columns are 19". Mahogany veneer used throughout case.
LABEL INFORMATION	Good label stating: "Extra Eight Day Brass / Clocks / Manufactured by / M.W. Atkins, / Bristol, Conn. / Warranted Good." Printer: J.G. Wells, Printer, 184 1-3 Main Street, 3rd Story, Hartford
DIAL INFORMATION	The wooded dial is in excellent condition. It features black Roman letters with painted floral spandrels. The chapter ring is 7 1/4". The center opening, which is approx 2 1/2", enables the escapement as well as the time and strike train to be viewed, this dial arrangement is typical in M.W. Atkins clocks.
MISC FEATURES	The clock features it's original reverse painted stencils which utilized a Fenn design. There is some paint loss, but overall they are in good condition. The top tablet is 8 3/4W x 13 3/4"H and is held in place with wood strips. The lower tablet is 8 3/4"W x 7"H and is held in place with wood strips. The original weights are 5 1/4"H x 3 1/4"W x 2 1/8"D, and weigh in at 8 lbs, 5 oz. & 8 lbs., 12 oz.
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	This clock features the original pendulum bob, winding key, and weights. Both tablets as well as the dial and dial glass are original. No missing veneer on case. The movement is in in good working order.
RESTORATION	06/09 - Cleaned and polished case with Briwax.
HISTORICAL DATA	The M.W. Atkins Clock Co. was created from the re-organized Atkins & Porter firm. The new firm continued producing weight driven 30 hour and 8-Day clocks. This case style was made in a small quantity by M.W. Atkins, thus it is a fairly rare clock.
REFERENCES	1. "The Clocks of Irenus Atkins, Philip C. Gregory & Robert King, 2004 Defense Technologies, Inc. 2. "NAWCC Bulletin Supplement #18, Lee H. Davis, 1991 3. "Forestville Clockmakers", Kenneth D. Roberts & Snowden Taylor Ph.D, 1992.
NOTES	This clock is pictured in "The Clocks of Irenus Atkins" on page 34, Figures 160, 160a, 160b, 160c.