Birge & Fuller

Circa 1845 Birge & Fuller Wagon Spring Steeple-on-Steeple for Daniel Pratt Jr. Corner of Union & Marshall Streets, Boston MA, Warranted if well used. Joseph Ives conceived of the idea of providing power to the gear train of a clock movement using flat steel bars fastened together thereby creating a lever spring. With one end of the bars fastened and the other end attached to the chain/pulley/cord power transmission system deflected energy stored in the spring is delivered to the gear train. In 1845 Ives filed for a United States Letters Patent and the “Patent Accelerating Spring” clock was born. Collectors refer to these clocks as “Wagon Spring” shelf clocks. This particular example is a choice example: untouched original reverse glass paintings, along with original labels. The clock is in running condition. The choice mahogany veneered case is in very nice condition with only some minor surface blemishes and chipping. The dial is original to the clock and there is some minor touch up outside the untouched original center section. The time track and numerals are untouched and original. The dimensions of the clock are 27 1/2 X 13 1/2 X 4 1/2 inches with a 7 1/2 X 9 1/2 dial and 5 inch time track.

SOLD