Boston Clock Company, "DELPHUS." A crystal regulator. 213138.
The "Delphus" is arguably their prettiest model. It measures approximately 10.5 inches tall, 7.5 inches wide across the base, and 5.75 inches deep. The case is brass. It has been polished and protected with a lacquer finish. The four panels are fitted with beveled glass. The front and back panels also serve as doors. The porcelain dial is perfect. Large Arabic numerals mark each of the hours. They are positioned inside the closed minute ring. An additional line decoration divides the hour numerals from the dial's center. This is an elegant design. The center of the dial is fitted with a pierced brass decoration that is mounted to the center arbor.
The movement is of the finest quality. It features 11 jewels. The pinions are cut with precision from solid steel and are highly polished. The plates a nickeled and treated with a damascene finish. This is a tandem wind movement. This means that one inserts the key onto the single winding arbor and turns it to the right to wind the time train. Turn the key to the left, and you are winding the strike train. This clock strikes the hour and half hour on a wire gong. Please note that this clock does not have a pendulum. This movement is fitted with a balance wheel that compensates. As a result, it is equal in quality to many high-grade watch movements of the same period. This clock will start quickly when wound and can be handled without stopping the clock. The ticking should not disturb the most sensitive of sleepers. The Maker's name is die-stamped into the front plate, and "3898 S" is die-stamped into the spring barrel.
This clock was made circa 1885.
Inventory number 213138.
The Boston Clock Company was organized by Joseph H. Eastman, James Gerry, and others on May 29, 1884. It was actually located in Chelsea, Mass. This company was formed as the successor to Joseph H. Eastman's Harvard Clock Company 1880-1884. Joseph H. Eastman became the manager of this new firm. This company failed in 1895, and in March of the same year, Joseph Eastman and others tried to revive it as the Eastman Clock Company. This new firm lasted only one year and eventually became the Chelsea Clock Co. in 1897.
The Boston Clock Company manufactured clocks predominately in the style of various crystal regulators, carriage clocks, and other mantel clocks in marble cases. These clocks often featured a compensating balance wheel spring-powered movement. A small number of weight-driven wall clocks were also produced. Most of which were similar in form to the Howard model No., 5 & No., 70 and the Chelsea No., 1.
Boston Clock Company clocks were sold through salesrooms that included Smith & Patterson in Boston, G. S. Lovell & Co in Philadelphia and Wm. H. Atwater in New York.
