Spencer & Wooster & Co. A very colorful Column and Cornice shelf clock fitted with a Salem Bridge movement. 27011.

Francis Spencer, Jesse Wooster, and Jesse’s son-in-law, Ruben C. Beebe, formed the Spencer & Wooster & Co. in 1840. This business was the successor to Spencer, Hotchkiss & Co. (1828/9 to 1840). It is thought that they were casemakers and that Heman Clark may have set up and run their movement operation. This business failed in the latter part of 1843.

The case is veneered with mahogany and remains in excellent condition. The deep, rich color of the wood is inviting and pleasing to look at. The main architectural details of the cabinet are the fully turned columns, which feature carved Corinthian capitals, and the overhanging cornice molding. This column and cornice case is one of two general styles mentioned by Bailey and Blackwell as made by Spencer & Wooster. The other is a column (or pilaster) and splat elevated on carved feet. This case is fitted with two paint-decorated tablets. The lower tablet is a stencil of a basket of fruits and vegetables. The colorfully painted tablet is original to this clock and is in excellent condition. The general theme was popular and used in clocks made by their competitors.

The dial is original and correct. Spencer & Wooster used only painted wooden dials. The decorations are done in gilt. The time ring is formatted with a closed minute ring and Roman-style hour numerals. The steel hands are simply-formed

The Clockmaker’s label is in good shape. The printer’s name is in the lower right, “H. Adams, Printer, Litchfield. This is Henry Adams, who drowned in Bantam Lake near Litchfield in 1843. Adams produced the majority of the labels for Spencer & Wooster. The label reads, “EIGHT DAY / REPEATING / BRASS / CLOCKS, / MANUFACTURED BY / SPENCER & WOOSTER & CO. / SALEM BRIDGE, CONN. / WARRANTED IF WEE USED.” This label also includes the patriotic symbol of the Eagle clutch arrows and holly branches.

The movement is original, a correct Salem Bridge eight-day, weight-driven, time-and-strike movement for Spencer & Wooster & Co. It is identified by Bailey & Blackwell as “late style,” distinguished by the two circular cutouts in the plat and by being mounted on a seat board. The square brass frames are also pierced with rectangular-shaped slots. The escape wheel is mounted on the front plate, and the pendulum hangs from a mount below it. This movement version is also fitted with a rack-and-snail-operated strike train. The two cast iron drive weights are compounded. These movements are well-made and work well.

This case measured 34 inches tall, 20 inches wide, and 7 inches deep.

This clock was made circa 1842.

Inventory number 27011.