Walter Durfee of Providence, Rhode Island. Wall Time Piece or Banjo Clock. Retailed by the retail firm, Shreve, Crump & Low Company of Boston. Clockmaker; Waltham Clock Company. D. J. Steele Artist. 217094.
This is an outstanding example of a Federal Massachusetts improved timepiece or "Banjo" clock made by Walter Durfee of Providence, Rhode Island, circa 1910. One of Boston's finest stores, the Shreve, Crump & Low Company, retailed it. What makes this example so outstanding is the presentation of the case and the coloring and skill of the reverse-painted tablets.
The case is constructed in mahogany and retains its' original finish. This model features a presentation bracket, flat mahogany veneered frames, brass side arms, a brass dial bezel, and a large full figured eagle is used as a finial. All of which are in excellent condition.
The reverse-painted tablets are hand painted in good colors and demonstrate excellent skill. Both tablets are painted from the back. They are somewhat unusual in that they feature a brown field. It is interesting to note that we have owned other Durfee examples that have incorporated this coloring. This throat tablet is decorated with a number of traditional themes. Many first-period banjo clocks throat glasses are often found with depictions of urns, florals, American shields, geometric patterns, and designs, and the E. Pluribus Unum symbol of the Eagle clutching arrows over the American Shield. This example incorporates the urn theme having floral patterns that rise out of it. The lower tablet depicts the naval battle of the "CONSTITUTION / AND GUERRIERE - 1812." This battle took place during the War of 1812. The U.S. Frigate Constitution's Commanding Officer, Isaac Hull, engaged and defeated Captain James R. Dacres of the Guerriere off the coast of Halifax, Nova Scotia, on August 19th, 1812. Also, note the American shield that is a pierced format allowing one to see the pendulum's motion when the clock is running. This tablet is 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 and the Retailer's name printed in small block lettering. The hands are a traditional Waltham Clock Company form.
Durfee-signed movements have always been thought of as being constructed to the highest of standards. This movement helps substantiate this legend. The construction of it suggests that it was ordered from the Waltham Clock Company in Waltham, Massachusetts. This weight-driven movement features heavy cast brass plates, maintaining power, and a Geneva Stop winding mechanism. It is designed for eight days. As one might expect, the quality is outstanding. The front plate is die-stamped with Durfee's name in the upper right corner. It is also numbered "6077" on the left. (Please note that this clock was photographed before we serviced the movement.) It is powered by a lead weight that is also stamped with the Durfee logo.
This very attractive clock measures approximately 42.5 inches long overall. It was made circa 1910.
Inventory number 217094.
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.
