E. Howard & Co. Astronomical Clock Makes $189,750 at Fontaine’s Fall Clock Auction
Published November 22nd, 2008
The vintage clock world was buzzing this past June when a magnificent E. Howard & Co. #61 astronomical floor regulator realized $195,500 at a Spring Clock Auction held by Fontaine’s. Lightning struck twice when another example, even nicer than the June clock, gaveled for $189,750 at Fontaine’s Fall Clock Auction, held Nov. 8 in at 1485 West Housatonic Street in Pittsfield.
“Most auction houses would have felt blessed to be able to offer one Howard astronomical regulator in their lifetime, and we had two in one year,” enthused John Fontaine of Fontaine’s Auction Gallery. “The fact that it was a superior example to the one sold in spring must have made the winning bidder feel pretty special, especially since he paid about $5,000 less. This was truly a great auction.”
About 475 vintage antique clocks – many of them rare, museum-quality pieces – crossed the block at the two-session sale. All but about 25 sold in an auction that grossed over $1 million. Around 200 enthusiastic bidders packed the gallery, while a combined 300 phone and absentee bids were fielded. Online bidding was facilitated through Proxibid, eBayLiveAuctions and Auctionnetwork.com.
The Howard astronomical regulator was by far the top lot of the sale. The case was carved walnut with burled trim. All case parts were original and in excellent condition. The movement had a Graham dead beat escapement with red ruby pallets. The clock had been consigned from only its third owner, with papers dating to its original purchaser, (Edmands & Wiggins, Bangor, Maine, 1874, $800).
The second top lot was also an E. Howard clock – a #60 astronomical hanging regulator that soared to $46,000. The piece featured a 12.5-inch dial, period hands, a highly carved and refinished case, a massive brass movement with jeweled pallets, a Graham dead beat escapement (which had maintaining power and beat seconds) and original cut to cranberry fancy cylinder glass pendulum bob.
Fontaine’s Auction Gallery has another clock auction scheduled for the spring of 2009 (time and date to be announced; watch the website for more details, www.fontainesauction.net). The firm will close out 2008 with an Antique Discovery Auction, on Saturday, Dec. 6. The non-cataloged sale will feature around 500 quality lots from several local estates, including many fine antiques. All bidding must be done in person.
Fontaine’s is preparing an exciting slate of auctions for the first half of 2009, to include the aforementioned Spring Clock Auction in May. The firm is always accepting quality consignments for future sales. To consign an item, estate or collection, you may call them directly, at (413) 448-8922, or e-mail them at info@fontaineauction.com.
To learn more, you may log on to www.fontainesauction.net.
