Waltham Clock Co. Waltham, MA. A wall timepiece or banjo clock. The Wasp and the Reindeer. 215079.
This is a fine Federal Massachusetts Improved Timepiece or “Banjo clock” made by the Waltham Clock Company of Waltham, Massachusetts. This is an early example of having a signed or die-stamped movement “Waltham Clock Co. U.S.A.” and numbered “3262.” This serial number suggests that this clock was made sometime before 1906.
This is a fine example. The brass movement is mounted to the clock with wood screws that attach the back plate to the case. The movement is weight-driven and is designed to run for eight days on a full wind. The quality is outstanding. It features damascene plates, maintaining power, and a Geneva Stop winding mechanism. (The Geneva Stop has been removed.) The front plate is die-stamped with the Maker’s name in the upper right corner. It is also numbered 3262 on the left.
The case is mahogany with flat mahogany frames and a presentation bracket, case lot 42. The finish appears to be original to this clock.
The tablets are hand-painted in color and depict Patriotic themes. The throat features an American Eagle and an American shield. The lower tablet depicts a naval battle during the War of 1812. The tablet is titled at the top, “Wasp and Reindeer.”
This engagement took place on June 28th, 1814. The USS Wasp was an American Sloop. It engaged the H.M.S. Reindeer in the English Channel. The Wasp was fitted with heavier guns and a larger crew. It took the Reindeer in a reported 19 minutes of heavy fighting. The Wasp is depicted on the left.
A large brass eagle finial surmounts the top of this case. The sidearms and bezel are also brass. The bezel opens to a flat painted iron dial with Roman numerals and a gilt inner ring.
This clock measures approximately 43 inches long.
Inventory number 215079.
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.
