E. Howard & Co., Boston, MA. Model No. 70-12. The Kosmic. Wall clock. 217110.
This is an interesting and special clock. It is designed with a 24-hour dial. This dial has numerals that rotate from Roman to Arabic and back to Roman on a 12-hour schedule. In other words, if one starts the sequence with the Roman numerals for the am hours, then the pm hour numerals will be displayed in Arabic once the hour hand passes over that corresponding hour. This display change is possible with the use of a four-sided wooden block in each of the twelve-hour positions.
The case for this clock is patterned after the Howard No. 70 Regulator with modifications to accommodate this unique mechanism. The case is constructed in walnut and retains a warm, wonderful finish. It measures approximately 31.5 inches long and 15.5 inches across the wooden bezel. The depth of the bezel is 6 inches. This is 1 inch deeper than the standard No. 70 example. The lower part of this clock case is also deeper. It is 4.25 inches in depth. The dial is cut to allow the hour blocks room to turn or rotate. It is also painted with the model name, "KOSMIC," and the Maker's name, "E. Howard & Co. / BOSTON and the patent date of June 9th, 1885.
The movement features a recoil escapement and is powered by a lead weight. It is designed to run for 8-days on a full wind.
Inventory number 217110.
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.
