E. Howard & Co., Boston, MA. Model No. 80. Tall case clock. Quarter striking Grandfather Clock. 214057.
This impressive mahogany case measures approximately 8 feet 11 inches to the top of the center finial. It was made by the E. Howard Clock Company of Boston, Massachusetts. It was originally ordered on May 10, 1888, and shipped out eight days later on the 18th to F. L. Wilson, a jeweler working in Danbury, Connecticut, at an original cost of $600. It was most recently in the care of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americans. This is an elderly care building on the property of the Searles Castle in Windham, New Hampshire.
This mahogany case retains its original finish. The decorations are finely made to the highest standards of craftsmanship. These decorative details are located throughout the design of the case. The top terminates in a sarcophagus top. Two carved finials are positioned on the outer corners. The half-round detail is fitted with the top section of a carved fleur-de-lis. The bonnet detail then steps down to form the main structure. The square-shaped hood door features an octagonal shape window framing. It is fitted with a crystal plate that protects the dial. The corners of this door are decorated with floral carvings. The side of the hood features fully turned columns that are also decorated with carved details. The waist section is tapered inward. Carved ram's heads are located at the upper corners. An elaborately carved swag and a central winged cupid is the central feature. This is positioned over the lancet-shaped beveled glass door. This door is flanked by smoothly turned and carved columns. The base sits flat on the floor. It features a double step and a carved decorative panel.
The dial is brass and measures 15 inches in diameter. It is decoratively engraved and engine-turned. The front surface has been silvered, and the minute and seconds divisions are treated with a black enamel. The hour numerals are applied to the front of the dial. They are raised and treated in a gilt wash. This dial is inscribed "E. Howard & Co. / Boston" within the subsidiary seconds dial.
The eight-day time, strike, and quarter-hour Westminster chiming movement is very highly finished throughout. The heavy brass plates are decorated with damascene. The mechanism is designed with a Graham Dead Beat escapement and maintaining power. The hours are struck on a deep-toned cathedral gong. The quarter hours are signaled by playing Westminster Chimes on wires gongs. All of which are mounted to a sound board above the movement. The three weights are finished in brass sleeves that are polished. The gilded cherry pendulum rod supports a brass-faced pendulum bob. The pendulum tie-down is also brass.
Inventory number 214057.
The E. Howard & Company represents a significant chapter in American horological history, continuing the legacy of the esteemed Howard & Davis firm after 1857. Established in 1842 in Roxbury, Massachusetts, Howard & Davis was the brainchild of Edward Howard and David Porter Davis, both of whom trained under the legendary Aaron Willard Jr. Their early work set new standards for precision timekeeping and craftsmanship in 19th-century America. The firm’s innovations extended beyond clocks to include balances, sewing machines, fire engines, and watches—demonstrating a remarkable breadth of technical achievement. By 1852, their manufactory was a landmark in Roxbury, as seen on period maps. Following the dissolution of Howard & Davis, Edward Howard’s vision propelled him to become Boston’s leading maker of weight-driven clocks, catering to both residential and commercial needs. Notably, the company played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of American tower clocks and advanced timekeeping systems during the late 1800s, contributing to the growing network of public and institutional clocks across the country. The completion of a new factory complex in 1873 further cemented their influence, with separate facilities for clocks and watches reflecting the scale and ambition of their operations.
The legacy of the E. Howard Clock Company endures as one of the most respected in American horology. Renowned for its unwavering commitment to quality and innovation, the company never produced an inexpensive clock; instead, it set benchmarks for accuracy, durability, and elegance. Its clocks became the standard in schools, public buildings, and railway stations across the country, marking significant moments in the nation’s growth. Collectors and institutions alike prize Howard clocks for their superior craftsmanship and historical importance. Today, the E. Howard name remains synonymous with exceptional quality, technical achievement, and an enduring influence on the art and science of clockmaking.
