Howard & Davis No.1 Regulator. Boston, Massachusetts. (Albert Howard) 213016.
The No.1 Regulator is an impressive clock measuring 4 feet 2 inches long. This case is made of cherry wood and is lightly grained with India ink to simulate the look of rosewood. The tablets are painted in the traditional colors of back and gold. Both tablets are original to this clock. The pendulum rod is made of seasoned cherry. It retains most of its original gilding and can be viewed through a clear opening in the throat tablet. The large, heavy bob is zinc and is covered in brass. The motion of this can be easily seen through the opening in the lower tablet because it hangs from the front of the movement. The paper dial on this example is original to this clock and is in excellent original condition. It measures 12 inches in diameter and features a Roman numeral formatted time ring, subsidiary seconds dial, and the Makers name and working location. The movement is of excellent quality and is mounted to the backboard with taps. It is designed with heavy brass plates, a Graham Dead Beat Escapement, maintaining power, and a double suspension spring. As a result, these clocks vary only seconds a month and are excellent timekeepers. The Geneva Winding Stop has been removed. The Front plate is die stamped "A. Howard Boston."
Albert Howard was born in Hingham, Massachusetts, on May 20, 1833, and died in Dorchester, MA, on January 1, 1893. He was a cousin of Edward Howard's and trained in the clock balance factory of Howard & Davis. He spent most of his working career with the various Howard Clock Companies. At the age of 22, he is listed in the Massachusetts Census as a clockmaker living in Roxbury. In 1857-58, he was listed in the Boston Directories as a clock and balance maker located at 109 Washington Street. It is interesting to note that this is also the same address that Samuel Curtis and Edward Howard listed as their address during this year. In 1858, he was again listed but as a "Clockmaker at Edward Howard's." He married Susan Kingman in Boston on May 11, 1859. In 1881, Albert became the general manager of the E. Howard Watch & Clock Company, and at the time of his death, he was the superintendent.
Several wall clock examples are known to be signed by this Maker. In addition, a small number of clocks signed E. Howard are found with his die-stamp on the movement. This impressive wall-hanging timepiece was made circa 1855.
Inventory number 213106.
The Howard & Davis firm was formed in Boston, Massachusetts, by Edward Howard and David Potter Davis in 1842. Both men were trained and served their apprenticeship in clockmaking to Aaron Willard Jr. of Roxbury, Massachusetts. Their partnership lasted approximately ten years. From 1844 through 1847, Luther S. Stephenson joined the partnership, which was then called Stephenson, Howard & Davis. It is now currently thought that the Howard & Davis name was only used after Stephenson departed. The Howard & Davis Clock Company was located at No 34 Water Street. Here they built a reputation for building very high-quality items, which included various forms of high-grade clocks and precision balances or scales. Banks used gold standard balances. Letter balances were built under contract for the United States Government. These were used in state and county offices. Town standards (scales) and Druggist's balances were also manufactured along with the necessary weights. The company also made sewing machines and fire pumpers. In 1857, the Howard & Davis firm was dissolved when D. P. Davis left to pursue other ventures. In 1857, Davis was part of Davis, Polsey & Co. This firm identified itself as the "late Howard and Davis." They manufactured clocks and a line of pull cord, pin registration watch clocks. This firm lasted until 1860. Posley continued to make these clocks on his own. In 1858, E. Howard began to sign his clocks, E. Howard & Co. This firm enjoyed many prosperous years making clocks and later watches until he retired in 1881.
