E. Howard & Company 1-5 banjos.
The E. Howard & Company offered five separate sizes of this Banjo form. The largest example of the five graduated sizes measures 4 feet 2 inches long and is called the Model Number 1 Regulator. For comparison, the smallest example measures 29 inches long and is called the Model Number 5. Traditionally, the banjo cases are constructed in cherry and are grained with india ink to simulate the rich grain pattern found in rosewood. The rounded frames are fitted with reverse painted tablets or glasses. The black, gold and red are the traditional E. Howard & Company color combinations. All are fitted with weight driven movements, constructed in brass and excellent quality. They are designed to run eight days on a full winding.
The E. Howard & Company succeeded the Howard & Davis firm in 1857. The Howard & Davis firm was comprised of Edward Howard and David Porter Davis and was established in 1842 in Roxbury, Massachusetts. Both men had just completed their clock apprenticeship under the guidance of Aaron Willard Jr in Boston. The Howard & Davis firm made high-grade clocks, precision balances, sewing machines, fire engines, and watches. After the dissolution of Howard & Davis, Edward Howard became Boston's leading manufacturer of weight-driven residential and commercial clocks. The firm also made a large number of tower clocks and watchman and salve clock systems. These sold well in the last quarter of the 1800s.
It has been said that the E. Howard Clock company never made an inexpensive clock, and everything they made was of very good quality. As a result, Howard clocks have become very collectible and are prized by their owners. Today, the E. Howard name enjoys outstanding name recognition.
For a more in-depth reading of Edward Howard and his various businesses, please read "Willard's Patent Time Pieces," written by Paul Foley.
