Atkins Clock Company of Bristol, Connecticut. A Cottage Clock with a time and alarm movement retailed by Daniel Pratt & Sons. L-508.
This cottage clock was made after 1865 in Bristol, Connecticut. The case is constructed in mahogany and retains an old surface or finish. It measures approximately 12 inches tall, 8.5 inches wide, and 3.5 inches deep. The front of the case is fitted with a door. The tablet is decorated in a gilt or gold foil design. The primary theme is the American Eagle holding the E. Pluribus Unum banner in its beak. This patriotic decoration is in excellent condition. The painted zinc dial is in good original condition. It features a time ring formatted with Roman-style hour numerals and measures 4.5 inches across. The center is cut out to accommodate the brass alarm disk.
The movement is brass, coil spring powered, and designed to run for thirty hours on a full wind. This example features an alarm. This would have been included at an extra charge.
The Retailer's original card label is affixed to the backboard. This is in very good original condition. The Retailer was Daniel Pratt & Sons.
For additional information regarding Atkins and the various companies, please review, The Clocks of Irenus Atkins, written by Philip Gregory and Robert King.
This clock is inventory number L-508.
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 Bristol and later Forestville, Connecticut. He was a manufacturer of brass movement clocks and was involved in several firms. Most notable was 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 Phil Gregory and Robert King's The Clocks of Irenus Atkins.
