E. HOWARD &
CO. CLOCK GOES ASTRONOMICAL AT
FONTAINE’S SPRING CLOCK AUCTION HELD
JUNE 14 IN PITTSFIELD, MASS.
(Pittsfield, Mass.) - A magnificent
E. Howard & Co. #61 astronomical
floor regulator, consigned from an
estate in Baltimore and never before
offered for sale, soared to $195,500
at a Spring Clock Auction held June
14 by Fontaine's Auction Gallery.
It was the second highest amount
ever paid for a Howard astronomical
floor regulator and was by far the
top lot in a sale that grossed over
$1.2 million.
Over 500 antique clocks – many of
them exceedingly rare and
museum-quality – crossed the block
in an auction that was over in less
than six hours. The floor regulator
sold in about four minutes, after
spirited bidding between a phone
bidder and a collector from Texas
who wished to remain anonymous. In
the end, the Texan won out, and said
he thinks he knew who his opponent
was.
“The clock collecting community is a
small, tight-knit group that is very
cordial, very friendly and knows
exactly what they want when they
come to an auction,” said John
Fontaine. “But when the gavel starts
to pound and paddles are wagging,
their competitive juices begin to
flow and they take no prisoners. We
had over 200 people in attendance –
a healthy mix of dedicated
collectors and dealers.”
The
online bidding component was strong,
as about 500 registered bidders
participated through eBay Live and
another 25 or so used Proxibid. “I
was surprised that we had bidders
from as far away as Europe and
China,” said Mr. Fontaine. “In fact,
two clocks that sold for over
$30,000 went to Chinese bidders.” In
addition, he said, there were about
230 phone bidders and a modest 50 or
so absentee bids.
The
astronomical floor regulator was the
undisputed champion lot of the sale.
The majestic, 19th
century piece stood nearly eight
feet tall and featured a solid brass
movement and mercury pendulum. It
sailed past its high estimate of
$75,000 within a minute of bidding.
The Texan, a clock collector for 30
years, said he's paid more for
clocks at other sales and that this
one will occupy a nook in his home.
Following are other highlights from
the sale. All prices quoted include
a 15% buyer's premium.
Two
new world auction records were set.
The first was for a Seth Thomas
Office #8 calendar clock, with
14-inch time dial, a lower 14-inch
calendar dial, brass movement and a
marvelous patina. It realized
$54,625. The second was an E. Howard
#7 Figure 8 weight-driven wall
clock, with signed dial and
movement. It hung on a wall for 30
years after the death of its owner
before gaveling for $42,550.
A
French industrial animated train
clock (circa 1910), featuring a
two-color gilded brass and dark
patinated bronze locomotive,
achieved $37,375. The wheels of the
locomotive were animated, driven by
a separate movement in the base.
Also, a period Philadelphia Norton
rocking ship grandfather clock with
a signed dial, a good period
seatboard and a period walnut
Chippendale case, made $35,650.
A
wonderful example of an R.J. Horner
grandfather clock with an
exceptional mahogany case, excellent
color and patina and high-quality
English 9-tube movement with
calendar moon dial, coasted to
$31,625. Also, a signed Tiffany &
Company three-train oak grandfather
clock, with a Whittington &
Westminster chime selection subdial
and a massive brass movement signed
J.J. Elliot, brought $27,600.
A
sight to see was the French
industrial steam engine clock and
barometer (circa 1890) that sold for
$20,700. A large central cylinder
and piston with vertical connecting
rod powered the flywheel with a
centrifugal governor assembly, all
on a rouge marble base. Also, a
Biedermeier lantern clock (circa
1830), Austrian figured mahogany
with satinwood string inlay and
arched throat glass, rose to
$18,400.
A
real crowd pleaser was the French
water wheel clock, attributed to
Plachon, an example of which was
shown at the Exposition Universelle
of 1900. With a three-wheel train
driven by several steel balls passed
from one bucket to the next, it
looked more like a Rube Goldberg
contraption than a clock. But the
lot, with a bronze-mounted rosewood
base and glass display case, was a
hit at $17,250.
A
clever animated French Empire gilt
bronze smoker novelty clock under a
dome, featuring a standing figure
wearing a robe and smoking a cigar
(signed “Robert – Paris”), hammered
for $14,950. The head was animated,
and bobbed back and forth with the
motion of the pendulum. Also, an E.
Howard Figure 8 #9 wall clock, with
a signed weight-driven movement and
a nice case, made $14,950.
An
early 19th-century Dutch eight-day,
two-train tall clock, made by Claas
Kroon, topped out at $13,800. The
clock featured a three-date calendar
mechanism, a signed dial and a
heavily inlaid case with gilded
brass mounts. Also, a French annular
time and strike mantle clock, with a
dore bronze case featuring serpents
wrapped around an urn pointing to
the hour and minute on the dials,
earned $13,800.
A
French horizontal steam engine
clock, with a silver and brass case
housing both a barometer and
thermometer, and a separate key-wind
movement animating the engine, went
for $13,225. Also, a Charles Jacques
eight-bell, nine-gong tall case
clock, with movement signed J.J.
Elliott of London and a dial signed
Chas. Jacques, 22 Cortland St.,
N.Y., with the original finish oak
case, realized $12,650.
An
E. Howard Figure 8 #8 weight-driven
wall clock with an early original
movement signed Howard & Davis,
Boston, chalked up $11,500. “This
clock was one of the earliest
examples of a Howard Figure 8 we
have seen,” said Mr. Fontaine. Also,
an Elmer O. Stennes girandole clock
(8-day, time only) crossed the
finish line at $11,500. The rare
form of a banjo clock had a case in
great shape.
A
figural bronze 2-color putti mantle
clock with a movement signed
Medaille D'Argent (Paris) and a face
signed Vauchez (Paris) sold for
$11,500. The putti figure had a nice
dark patina and held the gilt clock
to the side as it played a drum.
Also, an E.N. Welch jeweler's
pinwheel wall regulator, with an
original brass weight and original
finish walnut case with burled
panels and gold carvings, hit
$10,925.
A
period eight-day time and strike
tall clock attributed to James Doutt
of Charleston, Mass., went for
$10,350. The clock was contained in
a figural mahogany case with bird's
eye maple panels and had silver
appointments, trimmings and hinges.
Also, an E. Howard & Co. #1
weight-driven banjo clock with
signed movement reached $10,350. The
stick, pendulum bob and weight were
all original.
Fontaine Auction Gallery has another
major clock auction planned for
Saturday, November 8. Watch the
website for more details as the sale
date approaches:
www.fontainesauction.net. Prior
to that, the firm will conduct a
Discovery Sale in early September
and a Major Catalog sale in late
September. Again, watch the website
for more details.
With over 35 years of experience in
the auction business, Fontaine's
Auction Gallery is a national leader
in the antiques business. Fontaine's
is always accepting quality
consignments for future sales. To
consign or sell an item, an estate
or an entire collection, you may
call them at (413) 448-8922; or, you
can e-mail them at
info@fontaineauction.com.
To
learn more about Fontaine's Auction
Gallery and its calendar of upcoming
auctions, please log on to
www.fontainesauction.net.
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