E. Howard Clock Company Model No., 14. Boston, Massachusetts. A wall clock. 217130.
After the dissolution of the Howard & Davis Company in 1857, a catalog was printed in 1858 that respectfully announced the continuation of the business under the E. Howard & Co., name. This catalog stated that E. Howard & Co. was "now prepared to furnish to the Trade the well-known Clocks heretofore manufactured by H & D., as well as the Gold Standard Balances, and other fine work formerly made by them." The new company promised promptness and guaranteed the quality of their goods. One of the new clocks offered in this catalog was the Regulator 12 and 13.
The E. Howard Regulator 13 is a case style that was offered in three cataloged sizes. The largest was the No. 12, with a 14-inch diameter dial and a case measuring approximately 62 inches in length. The No. 13 featured a 12-inch dial and a case that measured approximately 56 inches long. Lastly, the No. 14 was made with a 10-inch diameter dial and a case that measures 42 inches long. The cases of all three models were constructed in black walnut unless another wood was specifically requested. In terms of Howard clock production, these three models are early clocks and have fallen out of favor in the early 1870s. Very few clocks are recorded in the surviving Howard order books, beginning in August 1872.
This is the E. Howard Regulator No. 13. This is a difficult model to find. Few have been offered on the public market in the last twenty or so years.
This is an excellent example, measuring approximately 42 inches long. The case is made of black walnut and has been recently refinished. The color is excellent. The front serves as a door. It is fitted with two sections of glass. The upper section is left clear to view the dial. The lower section is decorated in the traditional black, gold, and red colors. It is formatted to view the pendulum bob and the gilded wooden pendulum rod. Open this door, and one can access the dial and pendulum. The dial is iron and features an original script signature. The time is displayed with open diamond-shaped hands. The movement is of excellent quality. It is a weight-driven movement designed to run for eight days on a full wind. It features a recoil escapement and is considered an excellent timekeeper. The plates are cast in brass. The front plate is die-stamped with the Maker's name and working location. It reads, "E. Howard & Co. / Boston."
This clock was designed for excellent service. It was made circa 1860.
Inventory number 217130.
The E. Howard & Company succeeded the Howard & Davis firm in 1857. The Howard & Davis firm was comprised of Edward Howard and David Porter Davis and was established in 1842 in Roxbury, Massachusetts. Both men had just completed their clock apprenticeship under the guidance of Aaron Willard Jr in Boston. The Howard & Davis firm made high-grade clocks, precision balances, sewing machines, fire engines, and watches. After the dissolution of Howard & Davis, Edward Howard became Boston's leading manufacturer of weight-driven residential and commercial clocks. The firm also made a large number of tower clocks and watchman and salve clock systems. These sold well in the last quarter of the 1800s.
It has been said that the E. Howard Clock company never made an inexpensive clock, and everything they made was of very good quality. As a result, Howard clocks have become very collectible and are prized by their owners. Today, the E. Howard name enjoys outstanding name recognition.
For a more in-depth reading of Edward Howard and his various businesses, please read "Willard's Patent Time Pieces," written by Paul Foley.
