astronomical regulator, no. 370
Date: circa 1864
Inventory Number: 2502
Classification: Clock
Subject:
Maker: William Bond and Son (fl. 1793 - 1977)
Maker: Power & Hall (c. 1864)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
140 × 43 × 33 cm (55 1/8 × 16 15/16 × 13 in.)
Accessories: Winding key
DescriptionThis clock has a six-legged gravity escapement, Harrison's maintaining power, and a temperature-compensated mercury pendulum. The mercury is housed in a steel cylinder. The clock is driven by two gilt spherical lead weights on two winding drums.
The dial is in the regulator form with a matte silver finish and blued-steel hands. The seconds are read on the upper dial, the hours read on the lower dial, and the minutes read on the outer dial with the long hand. The hours are marked I-XII. The minutes are marked every 5 in Arabic numerals with divisions for every minute. The seconds are labeled every 10 in Arabic numerals. There are short division marks every second, and the long ones favored by astronomers every 5 seconds.
The dial is attached to the front plate of the movement by 4 turned pillars held in place with pins. The rear plate is attached to the front plate by 6 plain pillars. The works sit on a cast iron neckpiece, which is painted to look like brass.
A dust cover of brass and glass covers the movement. It sits on a marble stand with moldings above and below. The marble housing was made by Power and Hall. The door to the clock is made of glass framed in wood. It is held in place by pins inserted into the marble at the top and bottom.
The dial is in the regulator form with a matte silver finish and blued-steel hands. The seconds are read on the upper dial, the hours read on the lower dial, and the minutes read on the outer dial with the long hand. The hours are marked I-XII. The minutes are marked every 5 in Arabic numerals with divisions for every minute. The seconds are labeled every 10 in Arabic numerals. There are short division marks every second, and the long ones favored by astronomers every 5 seconds.
The dial is attached to the front plate of the movement by 4 turned pillars held in place with pins. The rear plate is attached to the front plate by 6 plain pillars. The works sit on a cast iron neckpiece, which is painted to look like brass.
A dust cover of brass and glass covers the movement. It sits on a marble stand with moldings above and below. The marble housing was made by Power and Hall. The door to the clock is made of glass framed in wood. It is held in place by pins inserted into the marble at the top and bottom.
In Collection(s)
SignedEngraved on the dial: WM. BOND & SON, BOSTON. / No. 370.
Historical AttributesThis astronomical regulator, no. 370 by William Bond & Son, circa 1864, is one of four made by the firm with a marble case and an unusual six-legged gravity escapement. The clock was shown at the Bond & Sons exhibit at the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanics Association fair in 1869. A similar clock was sold to Vassar in 1864 and was Bond no. 377.
The first in this series, no. 367 was made by Richard F. Bond and delivered to John Hartnup of Liverpool Observatory. It kept excellent time, and was transferred to Harvard College Observatory and used by Prof. W. A. Rogers. The clock's ratings in 1868 were published. By 1880 the movement and pendulum were set up with a new housing by Leonard Waldo at the Yale College observatory, where it was used to deliver standard time to the local railroads and businesses.
The first in this series, no. 367 was made by Richard F. Bond and delivered to John Hartnup of Liverpool Observatory. It kept excellent time, and was transferred to Harvard College Observatory and used by Prof. W. A. Rogers. The clock's ratings in 1868 were published. By 1880 the movement and pendulum were set up with a new housing by Leonard Waldo at the Yale College observatory, where it was used to deliver standard time to the local railroads and businesses.
Curatorial RemarksThis regulator is currently on display at Harvard College Observatory in the dome of the 15-inch Great Refractor.
Discussed with Don Saff, May 31, 2012.
Discussed with Don Saff, May 31, 2012.
Primary SourcesBond Papers, Box 3, Folder 16: Drawings for the marble case and escapement, 18 June 1864
Bond Papers, Box 15, Day Book #3, 1857-1903: entry for complete cost of each marble case at $30, Power & Hall, 23 May 1864.
Eleventh Exhibition of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association at Faneuil and Quincy Halls, in the city of Boston, September and October, 1869 (Boston, 1869), pp. 134-135.
Online here.
Bond Papers, Box 15, Day Book #3, 1857-1903: entry for complete cost of each marble case at $30, Power & Hall, 23 May 1864.
Eleventh Exhibition of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association at Faneuil and Quincy Halls, in the city of Boston, September and October, 1869 (Boston, 1869), pp. 134-135.
Online here.
ProvenancePurchased by David P. Wheatland, August 1972.
Published ReferencesEleventh Exhibition of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association at Faneuil and Quincy Halls, in the city of Boston, September and October, 1869 (Boston, 1869), pp. 134-135.
Online here.
