Eastman Clock Company, Boston, MA. Timepiece or Banjo clock. 221211.
Pictured here is a superb example of a form that the Eastman Clock Co did not make in significant quantities. The case is constructed in mahogany and features flat mahogany frames decorated with a band of inlay. This band of inlay is positioned on the perimeter of the frames and features mahogany wood that is positioned in a cross-banded fashion. It is sandwiched between two lines of light string inlay. The frames are mitered together at the corners. The decorative sidearms and dial bezel are brass. They are currently in an older finish and would clean up nicely if you prefer. The brass dial bezel is fitted with glass and opens to access the painted iron dial. This dial is formatted with a close minute ring and large Roman-style hour numerals. Steel hands in the shape of arrows display the time. A brass finial is mounted on a plinth made of mahogany. This plinth is nicely shaped and glued to the top of the case.
The brass movement is secured to the inside of the case with a single screw from the back. In addition, both plates sit on the case rails. The works are weight-driven and designed to run for eight days. It is constructed with heavy brass rectangular-shaped plates decorated with a scraping design. The front plate is die-stamped with the serial number "699" on the left, and the Maker's name is located on the right. The pendulum rod is wood and has been painted black. It hangs from the front of the movement and supports the brass-faced bob. This bob retains much of its original engine-turned decoration. The decoration resembles the Howard Clock Co. pattern on their Model 70 bobs. The motion of the brass pendulum bob can be viewed through the small window in the lower glass.
The reverse-painted tablets are hand-decorated in excellent colors. They depict Patriotic themes. The lower tablet depicts the naval engagement between the Wasp and the Reindeer. On June 28th, 1814, the U.S.S. Wasp, an American Sloop, engaged the H.M.S. Reindeer in the English Channel. With heavier guns and a larger crew, the Wasp took the Reindeer in 19 minutes of heavy fighting. The Reindeer is on the left, depicted with a broken mast or two. The victorious Wasp is shown on the right. In the center of the scene is a window used for watching the pendulum's motion. A gilt pattern frames this scene. The throat tablet depicts a traditional timepiece theme of an urn and a vine. The colors used are excellent and match those used in the lower glass.
This fine example measures approximately 34 inches long overall. The case is 10.25 inches wide and under 4 inches deep. This clock was made circa 1895.
Inventory number 221211.
Joseph H. Eastman formed the Eastman Clock Company in 1895 after the failure of the Boston Clock Co. The Eastman Clock Company built a factory in Chelsea, MA. This soon became the factory location for the Chelsea Clock Co., even before the Eastman Clock Company failed only a year after its formation. It became The Chelsea Clock Company. Joseph Eastman apparently used the Eastman Clock Company name again from 1916 to 1918 and a variation of it, Eastman Manufacturing Co., in 1822 - 24.
Joseph Henry Eastman was born on September 10, 1843, in Georgetown, Massachusetts. He was one of two sons born to Timothy B. and Caroline B. (Pearson) Eastman. His Father, Timothy, is listed as a shoemaker from Derry, NH, in the 1840 census. Joseph was listed as a watchmaker in Boston from 1867 through 1880. From 1881 -1884, he became the superintendent of the Harvard Clock Company. In 1894, he joined the Boston Clock Company. Then the Eastman Clock Company until 1896. After the failure of the Eastman Clock Company, Joseph Eastman, joined with Busby Bell and Tool Company of Fairhaven, Vermont, in 1896 to form the Fairhaven Manufacturing Company. Fairhaven Manufacturing Company became the Vermont Clock Company in 1898, also in Fairhaven. Clocks were produced in Fairhaven with movements from the original Boston Clock Company and the Eastman Clock Company in addition to Fairhaven MFG Co. and Vermont Clock Company movements. Although the Vermont Clock Company catalog of 1900 offered a wide variety of clocks, only about 3000 total items were produced during 1896 until production ceased about 1902. He was then involved with the Little & Eastman from 1906 - 1907, the Derry Manufacturing Company from 1908 to 1910, E&O Clock Co. from 1920 to 1921, and lastly, the Eastman Manufacturing Company from 1922 to 1924. Joseph Eastman died of pneumonia following a stroke on December 17, 1931, at his home on 123 Eastern Ave, in Dedham, MA.
