E. Howard Clock Company. Model No. 69-10. Eight-day Marine and Locomotive clocks. 218039.
After the dissolution of the Howard & Davis Company in 1857, a catalog was printed in 1858 that respectfully announced the continuation of the business under the E. Howard & Co. name. This catalog stated that Howard & Co. was “now prepared to furnish to the Trade the well-known Clocks heretofore manufactured by H & D., as well as the Gold Standard Balances, and other fine work formerly made by them.” The new company promised promptness and guaranteed the quality of their goods. One of the new clocks they offered was the Marine and Locomotive Clock of the finest quality. The basis for this was from the lessons learned at the Boston Watch Company, of which Howard & Davis were involved. In February of 1877, the New York Office ordered 12 marine clocks. These were designed for use in locomotives, steamships, yachts, etc. In fact, for all places where a pendulum clock cannot be used on account of vibration. At that time, five case sizes were being offered in the catalog. All of which were constructed in brass and nickel plated. The smallest example was 6.25 inches in diameter and featured a 4.5-inch dial. The next size featured a case measuring 8 inches in diameter with a 6-inch dial. The middle size was 10 inches in diameter and was fitted with an 8-inch dial. A 12.5-inch diameter case with a 10-inch dial followed this. The largest example measured 15 inches in diameter and had a 12-inch dial. The movements in these clocks are of excellent quality and finely finished throughout. The escapements are jeweled, and they have adjustable chronometer balances.
This fine example was most likely made in the 1880’s. It features a polished nickel-plated case and is quite heavy. It measures 12 inches in diameter across the back and is 4.5 inches deep. The bezel is hinged, and locks closed with a key. It opens from the left, allowing one to access the dial. The dial is nickel-plated and measures approximately 9 & 5/8 inches in diameter across the time ring. This dial is engraved. The time ring features large Roman-style hour numerals. The five-minute markers are indicated with small stars inside the closed minute ring. A small subsidiary seconds dial is positioned above the center arbor. Above this is a small hole that provides access to adjust the speed or rate of the clock. The name in the upper section is the original owner of the clock. It reads, “THE C. & G. COOPER CO. / MOUNT VERNON, OHIO.” Below the center arbor is a hole to access the winding of the clock movement. Below is the trademark for the retailer. This information reads, “AMERICAN / STEAMGAUGE&VALVE / MANUFG.COMPANY / BOSTON, MASS. U.S.A.” Behind the dial is the movement. This movement is mounted to the case. The nickeled plates are finely finished. The front plate is die-stamped with the maker’s name, “E. Howard & Co. / BOSTON / 1613.” The screws retain their original blueing. This is a time-only example, and it is designed to run for eight days on a full wind. It is powered by a coil spring.
CHARLES AND ELIAS COOPER FOUNDED the C. & G. Cooper & Co. in 1833 in Mount Vernon, Ohio. It was originally a foundry and started manufacturing steam engines in 1836. Elias died in 1848, and Charles sold an interest in the firm to T. L. Clark. The business was reorganized as Cooper & Clark to reflect the change. In 1852, Charles’ younger brother joined the firm, and the name was changed to reflect the reorganization. By 1853, they had built their first wood-burning steam locomotive. It was then called C. & J. Cooper and to Cooper & Co. shortly after that. In 1869, Elias’ son, C. G. Cooper, and his son-in-law, Col. George Rogers, were made partners, and the name was again changed to C. & G. Cooper. They started manufacturing Stationary Steam Engines and Sawmills in 1847, Portable Steam Engines in 1860, and Traction Engines in 1875.
An 1874 directory lists their product line: “Steam engines, sawmills, general machinery.” It notes they had 200 employees.
In 1929, Cooper merged with the Bessemer Gas Engine Co. of Grove City, PA, to form the Cooper-Bessemer Co. and then Cooper Industries. In 1967, their headquarters were relocated to Houston, Texas. In 1989, they acquired the Cameron Iron Works of Houston. The corporation’s name continued as Cooper Industries, with the Cameron acquisition operating as the Cooper Oil Tools division. In 1995, Cooper Industries spun off its Petroleum & Industrial Equipment business. This included the Cooper-Bessemer and Cameron brands (among others) into a new company named the Cooper-Cameron Corporation. This has since been renamed Cameron International Corporation. Cameron sold its reciprocating compression business (which includes the Cooper-Bessemer product line, among others) to GE Oil & Gas, a division of General Electric, in 2014.
Inventory number 218039.
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.
