E. Howard & Co., of Boston, Massachusetts. The Model No. 7, "School, Office, and Bank Clocks." Ordered by D. O. L. Warlock in St John, New Brunswick on 3/27/1877. 214148.
Daniel O'Leary "DOL" Warlock (1819-1901) was born in Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland. In 1839, at the age of 20, he emigrated to St. John, New Brunswick as a trained jeweler and watchmaker. In 1848, he married Mary Campbell, the daughter of John G. Campbell. John Campbell was a Barrister at Law in St. John. Campbell was formerly of Ballyshannon, County Donegal, Ireland. The union of Campbell's daughter and Warlock helped to establish Warlock as a member of the city's Catholic elite and, intern, provided him with excellent business contacts. For most of his career, his business was located on King Street and for many years at the corner of King and Charlotte until it was lost in the Great Fire of St John on June 20, 1877.
A March 27, 1877 entry in the records of the E. Howard Clock Company states that a movement was already at the Howard factory and was to be "fitted into a No.7 case. This clock was also to have the dial signed "D. O. L. Warlock / St John's NB" in place of the E. Howard name. This example has that signature under the current E. Howard & Co. Boston name. It is now a ghost signature and is legible under certain light conditions. Warlock did not order many clocks from the E. Howard Company. In the years that the records cover, only a few are ordered and sent to St. John's, which included a couple of Number 12s, a Number 8, and interestingly another Number 7p.
This very attractive wall timepiece is E. Howard's Model Number 7. It was manufactured by the E. Howard & Company of Boston, Massachusetts, was originally marketed as being "Well adapted for banks, insurance offices, and large rooms." Of the five Howard & Company Figure Eight forms, the No. 7 is arguably one of the most difficult sizes to find. As a result, this is considered a rare clock and is the most important version to find if your goal is to assemble the entire set of five.
The No. 7 is second to the largest of the five sizes. This case measures 4 feet 2 inches long. This example is constructed in black walnut and retains a very pleasing finish which has been recently waxed and rubbed down. The color is excellent. The front of this case serves double duty as a door. The decorative carvings at both ends of the case are attached to this door. The bezel moldings are nicely formed and add a nice three-dimensional quality to the case's appearance. Please note the applied ½ round moldings 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 openings in this door are fitted with glass. The upper glass is clear, and through it, you can view the dial. The middle tablet or throat glass, which is in the shape of an hourglass, 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 the traditional E. Howard colors of black, red, and gold. The center of this is also left clear to view the brass-faced pendulum bob. Both painted tablets are in good original condition.
The heavy iron dial on this clock measures 12 inches in diameter. The white field or background is in excellent original condition. It was painted with a heavy coat of paint. The black has been relined. The hours are indicated with Roman-style figures. The Company name is signed below the center arbor in script lettering. It reads, "E. Howard & Co., / Boston." This signature is painted over the original "D. O. L. Warlock / St John's NB" signature. This appears to be an older restoration.
The hands are fitted with open diamonds out on the ends.
The weight-driven movement is constructed in brass and is of good quality. The Maker's name can be found die-stamped into the front plate in the upper left corner. The plates a quite heavy and are finely finished. This movement is designed with a recoil escapement. The pendulum is carefully suspended from the bridge, which is mounted to the top of the movement. The rod is made from straight-grain cherry. Before it was constructed, the wood was appropriately seasoned and gilded. It now retains this original treatment. The 5.5-inch diameter bob is zinc and covered with a brass jacket. The brass is decorated with several engraved concentric rings. Every other one is decorated with a damascene design. 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 on March 27, 1877.
Inventory number 214148.
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.
