E. Howard & Company Boston, Massachusetts. Model No. 5. An early example. Case stamped “45.” UU-71.
This attractive wall timepiece is called the Model Number 5 and was made by the E. Howard & Company of Boston, Massachusetts.
The E. Howard & Company offered five sizes of this popular Banjo form. This example is the smallest of the five and is the most commonly found. The largest size, the Model number 1, is 21 inches long.
The Number 5 size has very pleasing proportions measuring approximately 29 inches long. The case is constructed in cherry and retains its original grain-painted decoration and an older surface. This surface has darkened with age and masks much of the grain pattern underneath. (Howard banjo clock cases were originally grained with India ink to simulate the rich look of the grain found in rosewood.) The frames are fitted with reverse-painted tablets or glasses. The black, gold, and red painted designs are the traditional Howard color combinations. Both tablets have been professionally repainted in the appropriate colors. The movement is made of brass and is of excellent quality. It is weight-driven and has a recoil escapement. It is a very accurate timekeeper for its small size. The movement is die-stamped on the front plate, “E. Howard & Company, Boston.” This is an early dial. We know this because the dial is composed of two parts. The outermost surface is paper which is applied to a zinc pan. This format was used by the Howard and Davis firm (1847-1857). Many speculate that after the departure of David P. Davis and the reorganizing of the Company to the E. Howard & Co., Howard continued to use the old stock, which included applied paper dials, until the supply was depleted. This dial measures seven inches in diameter. It is wonderfully signed in a script format. The original weight is cast in iron. The brass bob features a fancy ring-turned design. This bob is supported by the original wooden rod. This clock was made circa 1860 and is a very good early example.
This clock is inventory number UU-71.
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.
