Irving & Casson. Retailer from Boston, Mass. Walter Durfee Middleman Providence, RI. Waltham Clock Company Maker. D. J. Steele glass painter/Artist. 213002.
This is an outstanding Federal Massachusetts improved timepiece or "Banjo clock" originally made by the Waltham Clock Company of Waltham, Massachusetts, circa 1925. It was made for Walter Durfee in Providence, Rhode Island, who wholesaled it to the Boston retailer Irving & Casson. It is a very high-quality example, from the case presentation to the coloring and skill of the reverse-painted tablets.
The case is constructed in mahogany. Many of the surfaces retain their original gilding. This includes the outside edge of the backboard, the large cast gesso eagle finial, the frames, the rope decoration and the presentation bracket, and the brass bezel and sidearms. The gilding is in very good original condition.
The reverse-painted tablets are hand-painted in excellent colors and demonstrate excellent skill. Both tablets are framed in a stencil design. The throat features a traditional Willard geometric theme. This tablet is signed in the banner "IRVING / AND CASSON." The lower tablet is titled "VICTORY ON LAKE CHAMPLAIN." This was also known as the Battle of Plattsburgh, which ended the British's final invasion of the Northern states during the War of 1812. This battle was fought shortly before the Treaty of Ghent in September 1814. The British, some 15,000 strong, hoped to move south and into New York City. General Macomb's 1,500 regulars outgunned them and forced them back into Canada. Because of this victory, the British had little leverage in negotiating territorial claims in the United States. This is an excellent tablet signed by the Artist in the lower left. The Artist's name is D. J. Steele.
The brass bezel is fitted with convex glass and opens to a painted iron dial featuring Roman hour numerals, a gilt-lined inner circle, and the Retailer's name printed in small block lettering. It reads, "IRVING & CASSON / BOSTON."
The weight-driven movement is designed for eight days on a full wind. As one might expect, the quality is outstanding. It features heavy brass plates, maintaining power, and a Geneva Stop winding mechanism. The front plate is die-stamped with Walter Durfee's name in the upper right corner. It is also numbered "6140" on the left. (This clock was photographed before we serviced the movement.) The brass movement is mounted with steel screws to the backboard.
This beautiful clock measures approximately 42.5 inches long overall.
Inventory number 213002.
Walter Durfee was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on March 23rd, 1857, to Elisha A. and Sarah Law (Allen) Durfee. He died at the age of 82 on August 4th, 1939. He is buried at the Swan Point Cemetery in Providence. Durfee's father ran the Durfee Mill, which made overcoats for the Union Army during the Civil War. Walter was educated in the local school system and studied to become an architect. In 1877, he left that occupation after a very short stint and opened an Antique business on 295 High Street. This was the first of several shop locations in the City of Providence. Here, he began to sell antiques and developed an interest in clocks. It is said that he traveled extensively looking for them. In 1881, Durfee took on a partner, Charles L. Pendleton. Pendleton was an attorney collector, friend, and gambler. This partnership was called "Durfee and Enches. "This lasted until 1884 when Pendleton was forced to sell out his share to Durfee. Pendleton had lost a fortune in gambling. Yet it was during this partnership that they decided to purchase new, high-quality clocks from England and sell them in the States under their own name. Pendleton was well-traveled and began to develop connections to English manufacturers like Jennes & Sons and J. J. Elliott of London. These newer clocks sold very well. So well, in fact, that Durfee had to move to a more extensive shop on two occasions.
In 1887, Walter Durfee made a sound business decision. He obtained the US Patent rights to the tubular chimes that J. Harrington in England manufactured. These nickel-plated tubes were tuned to a concert-grade pitch. They were very well received, and as a result, the rebirth of the Tall Case clock was underway. These clocks sold for $500 in the late 1890s. This was an extraordinary sum. Yet the marketplace responded. Competitors began to emerge to take advantage of their popularity. Yet, Durfee was in a commanding position. If you, as a retailer of this type of clock, wanted to purchase tubes or a tube clock, then you either bought them from Durfee or directly from England. Either way, Harrington was paid their royalty. Durfee gave American clock retailers multiple purchase options in this category. One could purchase the entire clock from him and retail it under their own name or purchase various components starting with the tubes. Many firms engaged in the practice. It is not uncommon to find clocks retailed by finer jewelry stores such as Tiffany's and Bigelow & Kennard with Durfee components. Sales for this type of item grew, and Durfee expanded the used product due to its great sound. They began to sell them to theaters and opera houses around the world. They were also used in doorbells. In 1896, Durfee invested in the Tubular Bell Company of Methuen, Massachusetts. This firm produced a larger version of the tubular chime to be used in towers in churches and universities nationwide. They were so popular that it is reported that the Vatican in Rome purchased a set for $1,000. Business was good until 1902, when his patent was challenged, and he lost. This opened the door for his competition to expand. These companies began to lower the quality and, as a result, lower the prices of these clocks. Durfee refused to follow this business model.
In 1907-1908, Durfee expanded his clock line to include Banjo clocks. The vast majority of these found in today's marketplace are the Willard form and appear to have been made by the Waltham Clock Company. These clocks, true to Durfee's standard, are the higher-grade examples. They almost always have skillfully painted tablets. Often the tablets are signed by the artist D. J. Steele. Several copies of Lemuel Curtis' Girandole have been found. These are outstanding copies of the original version and also share many Waltham components. By 1930, he was more involved in repairing clocks than selling or assembling them.
Today, Walter Durfee is remembered for making a superior product.
