E. Howard & Co., of Boston, Massachusetts. The Model No. 7 Figure Eight, "School, Office, and Bank Clocks." EEE-27.
This impressive wall timepiece is cataloged as the Model Number 7. It was manufactured by the E. Howard & Company of Boston, Massachusetts, and was originally marketed as "well adapted for banks, insurance offices, and large rooms." Of the five individual Howard Figure Eight forms, the No. 7 is arguably the most difficult size to find. As a result, it is the most essential version to locate if your goal is to assemble the entire set of five.
The No. 7 is second to the largest of five sizes. This black walnut case measures 4 feet 2 inches long. The wood and the finish have lightened over the last fifty years. As a result, the case color is lighter than most. The front of this case serves double duty. It is also a door. Please note the applied flat moldings that trim the edges of the middle section. Most figure eight forms are flat in this location. The door is hinged and swings to the right. The upper glass is clear and protects the dial. The middle tablet or throat glass is decorated in black and gold from the back. The center section is left clear so that you can view the motion of the gilt wooden pendulum rod. The lower circular tablet is painted in Howard's traditional black, red, and gold colors. The center of this is also left clear to view the brass-faced pendulum bob. Both painted painted tablets are in good original condition.
The heavy iron dial on this clock measures 12 inches in diameter and is in good original condition. A segmented minute ring frames the Roman-style hour numerals. The Company name is signed below the center arbor in block lettering. This original signature reads, "E. Howard & Co., / Boston."
The hands are designed with open diamonds out on the ends.
The weight-driven movement is constructed in brass and is of good quality. The Maker's name is die-stamped into the front plate in the upper left corner. The heavy plates are finely finished. This movement is designed with a recoil escapement. The pendulum is suspended from a bridge at the top of the movement. The rod is made from straight-grain cherry. Before it was constructed, the wood was appropriately seasoned and gilded. The 5.5-inch diameter bob is zinc and covered with a brass jacket. The brass is decorated with several engraved concentric rings. This bob swings in front of a red-painted weight board. The original cast iron weight is impressed with the number 2. This clock is designed to run for eight days on a full wind.
This clock was made circa 1875.
Inventory number EEE-27.
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.
