A Waltham wall timepiece or banjo clock retailed by the Boston Retail firm of SHREVE, CRUMP & LOW CO. 219104.
This is a fine Federal Massachusetts Timepiece, commonly called a "Banjo Clock." This example is not signed but has all of the earmarks that suggest it was made by the Waltham Clock Company of Waltham, Massachusetts, circa 1910. This form is listed in Waltham Clock catalogs as the model No. 1546 and originally sold for $85.90 in the first quarter of the twentieth century.
This is an early example. The serial number (5515) is very early. The dial is made from zinc and is flat. Lastly, the presentation bracket is shorter than those found on later models. This clock was most likely made in 1906.
The brass movement is mounted with diagonal-positioned machined screws. The weight-driven movement is designed to run for eight days on a wind. The quality is outstanding. It features heavy brass plates decorated with a damascene design, maintaining power and a Geneva stop winding mechanism. The front plate is die-stamped with the serial number "5515" on the left. The case is mahogany and is fitted with flat mahogany frames decorated with a cross-banded pattern. A presentation bracket is mounted to the bottom of the case. This is painted with gilt paint and is original to this clock. Two of the eight gilt balls at the back of the lower bracket are now missing.
The tablets are hand-painted in excellent colors. They depict Patriotic themes. The lower tablet is titled at the top, "Wasp and Reindeer." On June 28th, 1814, the U.S.S. Wasp, an American Sloop, engaged the H.M.S. Reindeer in the English Channel. With heavier guns and a larger crew, the Wasp took the Reindeer in a reported 19 minutes of heavy fighting. The Wasp is depicted on the right. The Reindeer is on the left, illustrated with a broken mast or two. The throat tablet shows several traditional themes. The harp, flags, and American shield are all present.
The cast eagle finial, sidearms, and bezel are brass. The bezel opens to a painted zinc dial featuring Roman hour numerals and Retailer's name. The signature reads, "SHREVE, CRUMP & LOW CO. / BOSTON."
This clock measures approximately 44 inches long overall.
Inventory number 223204.
The Waltham Clock and Waltham Watch Companies, in their various forms, have been synonymous with quality timepieces. The Company was first established in Waltham, Massachusetts, in January of 1897 as the Waltham Clock Company. Their products, known for their excellent quality, included hall, shelf, and then wall clocks. In 1913, they merged with the watchmaking giant Waltham Watch, but continued to produce clocks under the Waltham Clock name until 1923, when the name was changed to the Waltham Watch and Clock Company. In 1925, the name was changed again to the Waltham Watch Co. The production of pendulum clocks is reported to have ceased around 1930.
