Atkins Clock Company of Bristol, Connecticut. A large 30-day Gallery clock. 223291.
The Atkins Clock Company of Bristol, Connecticut, originally called an “OG Octagon,” this large gallery wall clock is somewhat difficult to find in today’s marketplace.
The case size is impressive. It measures 26 inches across the back. The front is veneered in rosewood and is decorated with a band of ripple-formed molding. The circular aperture is fitted with glass, which protects the dial. This painted zinc dial measures 18 inches in diameter and is original to the clock. It is in very good condition. This example retains its original clockmaker’s label, pasted inside the case on the backboard. This blue and gold label is in good condition and reads, “Thirty-Day / CLOCKS AND TIME-PIECES / Made and Sold by the / ATKINS CLOCK COMP’Y / Bristol, CT.” This firm was established in October 1855 to succeed the Atkins, Whiting & Company. This company built several models using Ives’s patent movements until they were forbidden to do so by Ives in June 1858. This firm went bankrupt in June 1858. There are three other repair labels pasted to the backboard inside the clock. These are interesting because they establish where this clock was in service. Two labels are from Augusta, Maine businesses. A. E. Wood was a watchmaker and engraver. The other Augusta, Maine label is from a jeweler and optometrist. A third label advertises A. E. Wheeler, a “Dealer in / WATCHES / Clocks and Jewelry, Main St.” Wheeler’s shop was in Winthrop, Maine.
The movement is constructed with a combination of brass gearing and steel pinions. The large brass plates are rectangular shaped. The movement is powered by springs. The tension is equalized over the run by fusee cones. Both the fusees and the springs are mounted in a cast iron bracket attached to the bottom of the works. When fully wound, this clock is designed to run for 30 days. The pendulum hangs from a mount above the movement. The rod is wood, and the bob is brass. These movements are excellent runners and typically require little service.
This clock is inventory number 223291.
This firm was established in 1859 to succeed the Atkins Clock Manufacturing Company, which went bankrupt in June of 1858. In 1859, 12 employees made approximately 4000 clocks.
Merritt W. Atkins was born in 1804 and died in 1873 at the age of 69. He worked in both Bristol and later Forestville, Connecticut. He was a manufacturer of brass movement clocks and was involved in several firms. Most notable would be the firm of Atkins and Porter. His firm M. W. Atkins spanned the years 1840-1857.
For additional information regarding the Atkins firms, please see The Clocks of Irenus Atkins written by Phil Gregory & Robert King.
