E. Howard & Company of Boston, Massachusetts. Model No. 61 Floor Standing Regulator Clock. 219115.
219115 E. Howard & Company of Boston, Massachusetts. Model No. 61 Floor Standing Regulator Clock.
This very impressive floor-standing regulator was made by the E. Howard & Company of Boston, Massachusetts. This clock is cataloged as the Model Number 61. It was originally offered in three choices of wood. They are oak, walnut, or cherry. This example is constructed in black walnut and burled walnut veneered panels. The woodwork retains an older surface.
This is a fine example. Like most big Howard regulators, this is not an easy model to locate. As a general rule, very few large Howard clocks come onto the public marketplace. This model in the 1880s would have sold for approximately $250. In comparison, the E. Howard model No. 5 banjo sold for $20.
This Model 61 case is constructed in black walnut and features outstanding figured panels. These panels are veneered in burled walnut. The case dimensions are as follows: 93.5 inches tall, 30.5 inches wide, and 13 inches deep. This case is die-stamped into the top of the case with the Numeral "25." The painted zinc dial measures 14.5 inches in diameter and is original to this clock. The Maker's name is located here in block lettering. It reads, E. Howard & Co. / Boston." A closed minute track frames the large Roman-style hour numerals. Steel hands that feature open diamonds display the time. A subsidiary seconds hand is positioned below the Roman hour numeral XII. The heavily brass-constructed eight-day weight-powered movement measures approximately 9.5 inches tall, 6.5 inches wide, and 2.25 inches deep. These plates retain their original decorative scraping design. This movement, a number "3," features a Graham dead-beat escapement, maintaining power, and a complete Geneva Stop winding mechanism. The front plate is die-stamped "E. Howard & Co. Boston." The inside of the great wheel is engraved, "Set up 5 – 1886 – L. P. Emmerson." The brass and steel pendulum with rating nut and four jar mercury pendulum bob is numbered "319" and "3481." At the top of the crutch, one will find the fine beat adjustment device. This example retains the correct brass pulley with a five-spoke wheel and winding key.
According to the E. Howard clock records. This clock was initially ordered by the Boston Office on May 24th, 1886, and set up five days later, on May 29th, at 104 Broadway Street in Boston. It was initially sent with a velvet-backed plate engraved, "Presented to William P. Carrol, May 1886." William P. Carrol (1854 -1888) was an active South Boston politician. He served wards 7 and 13. He represented the Fourth Congressional District at the 1884 Nation Convention. He was a member of the Governor's advisory board. He served on the Board of Alderman in the 6th District of the City of Boston in 1886, 1887, and 1888. Alderman Carroll died of consumption at his home on 134 West Third Street in South Boston on January 28th, 1888. In his obituary, he is described as a "strong man of brain and heart."
This regulator soon found its way into the Home office of the New England Mutual Life Insurance Company in Boston. Their headquarters at the time was located at 87 Milk Street. The clock was positioned in the lobby of the building, where it could be easily seen from the street. In 1941, the company moved to a larger building they had built at 501 Boylston Street. The Milk Street building was sold and slated for demolition. This included this clock. The grandfather of the last owner walked by this clock every day to and from work. He admired it and used it to set the time of his watch and then the clocks at his home. He became aware of the demolition of the building on Milk Street and contacted the new owners of the building. He made arrangements for the purchase and removal of his 'old friend' from the now darkened lobby. The clock was soon set it up in his home. For the next two decades, the famous (and infamous) clockmaker Elmer O. Stennis of Weymouth, Massachusetts, routinely serviced this clock. In doing so, he applied his signed labels to the inside of the case. Many of these remain to this day. The clock was passed down to his son and his grandson. The grandson had carefully stored his grandfather's prized possession in his basement in the suburbs of Boston until we recently set it up in our showroom in West Townsend.
Inventory number 219115.
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.
