E. Howard & Co., Boston, MA. Model No. 86. Wall Regulator. Boston, Massachusetts. Ordered in June of 1890. 219133.

This is E. Howard Clock Company's Model No. 86. This example was constructed in June of 1890 and is date stamped inside the cherry case. It is also engraved on the great wheel, "Set up 6 : 1890 – L. P. Emerson Roxbury, Mass." We have been able to positively identify this clock in the Howard records. Three clocks were recorded in 1890 before the month of June. The first example was sent to the state of Maine in March. A second clock was also made in March and was sent to the Boston Office. That clock was to have a mercury pendulum. The third clock was made in June. The record states that it was to have a mercury pendulum and a minute contact. It was also not to have a hole in the seconds circle. The case was to be made of quarter-sawn oak and stained to match the sample sent. This clock was ordered out of the Chicago Office on June 11. It had to be shipped out within five weeks and was sent on July 19. This order presents two problems. The order states that the case was to be constructed in quarter-sawn oak and stained to match the sample sent. The clock offered here is constructed in cherry wood. I speculate that the sample provided closely resembled the color of cherry wood. As a result, the case was constructed in that wood. The second issue is the hole in the seconds dial found on this clock. The ordered clock specifically states that there is not to be a hole located in this location. The clock offered here does have this feature. I believe that it is smart to have this visual access in the dial if you fit the movement with an electrical contact. The viewing hole provides the user with a window into the contact point. This must have been discussed but not recorded in the original order. All of the other requirements of the order were met in the construction of this clock.

The finish and color are excellent. Cherry wood features a warm color when finished in this manner. The long pendants on the front of the door are veneered with a decorative walnut burl. This case is also decorated with a variety of carvings and architectural details. Carved florals, flutes, pyramid caps, fans, dots, and beading are used throughout the case design. Long glass panels are positioned on the sides of the case. The front of the case serves double duty as a door and opens to access the interior of the case.

The brass dial measures 14 inches in diameter. The dial information is pressed into the front surface and filled with black shellac. The surface is then treated with a silver wash. The silvering does not adhere to the shellac providing a stark contrast between the two. The time track is formatted with a closed minute ring, and large Roman numerals mark the hours. A subsidiary seconds dial is located above the center arbor. This clock was originally ordered with an opening in the seconds dial. It was also fitted with a contact on the movement that would have been visible through this opening. This dial is signed by the clockmaker in block-style lettering in the traditional location on the front of the dial. The time is indicated by the two open diamond-style hands. 

This is a high-quality movement. It is mounted to a large iron bracket which is mounted to the backboard. This iron bracket is finished in gold paint. Two robust brass plates frame this movement. They retain their original damascene finish, which is in excellent condition. The front plate is die-stamped by the Maker in the upper left corner. The front plates have been pierced with two additional holes where the electrical minute contact was mounted. The contact apparatus has been removed. The inclusion of this device suggests that the regulator was initially set up to indicate various minute signals. Therefore it was a "Master" clock. Steel shafts support the brass gearing. The movement features a dead-beat escapement, An external beat adjustment at the top of the crutch, retaining power, and is weight powered and designed to run for eight days on a full wind. The brass-covered weight descends in the case to the right of the pendulum. The pendulum is hung behind the movement from a cast iron bracket that is mounted to the back of the case. The round wooden rod is made of seasoned cherry and is treated with a gilt finish. The bob is a fancy glass jar that is secured with brass caps on each end. These are treated with nickel plating and are nicely shaped. Unfortunately, the shaping of the sides of the glass jar does not show well in the photographs. The pendulum swings in front of an engraved brass beat scale. 

The 86 model was offered as a wall regulator and also as a floor-standing model. The Howard Clock company first introduced this model in March 1888. The first example was sent to the Chicago Office. Interestingly, the Waterbury Clock Company in Waterbury, Connecticut, and the Gilbert Clock Company of Winstead, Connecticut, also offered nearly identical case styles. E. Howard collectors would argue that the Howard versions differed in their movement construction. The Howard examples are more robust and of better quality. 

This impressive model measures 77 inches or 7 feet 67 inches tall. It is approximately 24 inches wide and 12.5 inches deep.

Inventory number 219133.