E. Howard & Co., Boston, MA. Custom order wall regulator for The PNC Bank in Pittsburgh. 217030.
This wall regulator was a special order from the Howard Clock Company in Boston, Massachusetts. This case features brass construction and large glass panels. It is a very impressive clock with the following dimensions: 68 ¾ inches long, 27 ¼ inches wide and 14 inches deep. The dial measures a full 20 inches in diameter. The ornate brass framing was most likely designed by the architect in charge of furnishing the original room in which it was placed. Most recently, this clock was displayed in the executive reception area of PNC - Pittsburgh Financial Services Group. PNC is now the eighth largest bank in the US, located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and has been in business in Pittsburgh for over 100 years.
This case exhibits many decorative details. Some of these are incorporated in the cast brass moldings. Floral themes, egg-and-dart patterns, beadwork, and Corinthian-style capitals are all present. The large access door on the front of the case is fitted with a single piece of clear glass.
The large brass 20-inch dial has been treated with a silver wash and features Roman-style hour figures and a closed minute ring. The time is displayed with Howard’s “batwing-style” hands. A brass bezel or ring frames the dial. This bezel features a beaded design.
The weight-driven movement is very good quality. It is framed with two large brass rectangular-shaped plates. The front plate is die-stamped by the maker in the upper left-hand corner. As advertised, “The wheels are carefully and accurately cut from hard rolled clock brass; the pinions and arbors are cut from solid bar steel, tempered and highly polished.” This movement also features a Graham Dead Beat Escapement, maintaining power, and a Geneva winding stop set up. The winding stop work prevents one from overwinding the weight into the movement. This regulator is seconds beating and designed to run for eight days on a single wind. It is wound with a crank key through the front of the dial. The brass weight is attached to a large five-spoked pulley and descends directly below the movement in front of the pendulum. This movement is mounted to the case via a cast brass decoratively designed bracket.
The pendulum is mounted to the back of the case and swings behind the weight. The rod is made of steel and appears to have been nickled. This rod supports two large molded glass jars filled with mercury for temperature compensation.
This very interesting example was made circa 1900 and is an excellent example of what was possible if one had the imagination to design a case for a specific location.
Inventory number 217030.
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.
