Edward Denman. Three Train Musical London Tall Clock. CCC-51.

This is a formal mahogany-cased tall clock made by Edward Denman of London. He is listed in Watchmakers and Clockmakers of the World as working from 1875 through 1881.

Clocks of this high quality are becoming increasingly difficult to find today. The case is constructed from a rich mahogany that has a deep color. This mahogany case is nicely proportioned. The base, having an applied panel, stands on a nicely shaped double-stepped bracket molding and pad feet. The waist is long, having a full-length modified tomb-stone shaped door, and exhibits beautiful graining. The sides are fitted with brass-stop-fluted quarter columns. The pagoda-style bonnet features a pierced brass sound fret backed in red silk, brass-stopped-quarter quarter columns, and an arched glazed door.

This dial is composed of a brass base sheet decorated with applied brass spandrels and chapter rings. The chapter ring, name boss, location of the maker, and calendar dial are finished in a silver wash for contrast. At the top of the arch is the engraved sailing ship. The water is calm. The flag of Great Britain is flying off the stern. To the left of the ship is a Silent/Strike actuator. By turning the hand, one can choose to have the clock strike the quarter hours or not strike the quarter hours. Your choice. To the ship's right is a Westminster Chimes/Chime on Eight Bells selector. This allows you to select either tune, which plays on each quarter hour in a progressive sequence. The large chapter ring is also applied to the dial. This ring displays the hours in a Roman numeral format. The five-minute markers are indicated in each of the hour positions with Arabic-style numerals. The center of this section is matted. This dial also features the subsidiary seconds dial, which is engraved and silvered. The calendar day is located in the aperture below the center arbor. The steel hands are nicely made.

The three-train movement is weight driven and designed to run for eight days on a full wind. The works are constructed in brass and are of the highest quality. Four-turned pillars support the two large and heavy brass plates. Hardened steel shafts support the polished steel pinions and brass gearing. The three winding drums are grooved to accept the weight-bearing cables. This clock strikes the hour on a case-mounted coil gong. The third train is set up to play music. The music is performed on each quarter hour. The sound is generated from eight hammers chiming on a nest of eight bells. The hammers are actuated by the large pinned set barrel located between the movement plates.

This clock was made circa 1875 and stands 8 feet 6 inches tall.

Inventory number CCC-51.