E. Howard & Company Boston, Massachusetts. The Model No. 2 wall timepiece. 219041.
This attractive timepiece is cataloged as the Model Number 2 and was made by the E. Howard & Company of Boston, Massachusetts. It was originally cataloged as a "Bank, Office, or School Clock." Today, the public refers to it as a large “Banjo Clock.”
The E. Howard & Company offered five different sizes of this Banjo form. This example is second to the largest size of the five. The largest size is called the Model Number 1 Regulator, and it measures 50 inches in length. The smallest example of the five is the Model Number 5, which measures 29 inches long. This Model Number 2 is the most difficult of the five Howard-sized banjo clocks to find. It measures 3 feet 8 inches long.
Traditionally, the Howard Clock Company constructed their banjo cases in cherry wood and decorated them or faux-grained them with India ink to simulate the rich grain pattern exhibited in rosewood. This is true of this example, and the faux graining remains in good original condition. The frames are fitted with reverse-painted tablets or glasses in black, gold, and red. These are the traditional E. Howard color combinations. The tablets in this example are original to this clock and are in good original condition, having some areas of restoration to the fields of color.
The iron dial is painted and measures 10 inches in diameter. The Maker signs this in script lettering.
The movement is made of brass and is of excellent quality. It is die-stamped on the front plate with the Maker’s name, “E. Howard & Co. / Boston.” The movement is weight-driven and features a recoil escapement. This movement is considered by many to be an accurate timekeeper. The original weight is cast in iron. The brass bob features a ring-turned design. The bob is supported by the original wooden rod. The Maker's set-up label remains pasted on the inside of the case on the bottom board.
This clock was made circa 1865 and is an excellent example.
Inventory number 219041.
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.
