E. Ingraham & CO. Bristol, Connecticut, U.S.A. The "8 inch Drop Octagon." 219085B.
This is a nice clean example of a pressed oak case school clock made by the E. Ingraham & CO. of Bristol, Conn, U.S.A. The case wood is oak and retains a darker finish. The decorative designs exhibited on the frames are pressed into the oak wood under tremendous pressure. These moldings are attractive. The brass bezel is fitted with glass. This door opens to access the dial and to wind the eight-day time-only brass movement. The paper dial measures 8 inches across and is applied to a pan. It is signed by the clock company below the Roman hour numeral VI. The movement is of good useful quality and is powered by a coil spring. The decorative pendulum bob is brass and can be viewed through the glass in the lower door in the front of the case. The Maker's label is in good condition and is pasted onto the back of the case on the backboard. This clock measures approximately 19 inches long and 13 inches wide. This clock was made circa 1911 and initially sold for $5.25.
Inventory number 219085B.
Elias Ingraham was born in Marlborough, Connecticut, on October 1, 1805. He worked as a cabinetmaking apprentice for five years in Glastonbury. In 1825, he purchased his freedom and began working as a journeyman for Daniel Dewy of Hartford. In 1828, Solomon Hinman convinced him to move to Bristol and to make clock cases for George Mitchell. It is here that Ingraham designed and constructed the “Transitional” shelf clock form. Ingraham soon moves on and works for several other clock and furniture ventures. After numerous ventures, he formed the Elias Ingraham & Company in 1857 and was granted the first two patents in case design. The first was for the “Arch Column case, and the second was for the door design found in this example, having two circular doors separated by decorative rosettes. This design became extremely popular, and its influence finds its why in some of Ingraham’s competitor’s models. In 1860, the firm’s name changed to E. Ingraham & Company, reflecting a partnership with his son Edward. Elias died at his summer home on Martha’s Vineyard in August 1885. The business continued in various forms.
