A FINE AND RARE GEORGE III SMALL SATINWOOD BANDED MAHOGANY LONGCASE REGULATOR OF ONE-MONTH DURATIONTHOMAS WRIGHT, LONDON, CIRCA 1785-90The substantial six knopped pillar movement with thick plates incorporating rounded upper angles measuring 7.75 by 5.5 inches, enclosing a five-wheel train with Harrison's maintaining power, five-spoke wheel crossings and terminating with a Graham-type deadbeat escapement, regulated by large lenticular bob seconds pendulum with T-bar suspension, Hindley-type cranked crutch arrangement and Wright's patent stirrup-frame type compensation to the bob, incorporating a pair of horizontal bimetallic bars, calibrated rating nut and a secondary small spherical fine-adjustment bob beneath, the 10 inch heavy-gauge silvered brass break-arch dial with subsidiary seconds and signature over conforming Roman numeral hour dial to centre, within outer minute ring incorporating Arabic five minute annotations, with blued steel hands beneath a shallow semi-elliptical arch signed WRIGHT, the heavy satinwood crossbanded case constructed in the manner of Gillows with shaped panel upstand to the moulded swan-neck pediment, over break-arch architrave and glazed hinged dial aperture with crossbanded border to the frame and flanked by crisply executed free-standing fluted Roman Doric columns, the sides with rectangular glazed apertures and half columns applied adjacent to the rear edge, the trunk with concave throat moulding and plain frieze over ogee-break-arch door fronted with flame-figured veneer within a satinwood border and astragal edge moulding, flanked by tall fluted full Roman Doric columns set on banded plinths, the plinth base with stepped ogee top moulding over conforming shaped crossbanded astragal-bordered panel to fascia and ogee bracket feet. 216cm (85ins) high, 46cm (18ins) wide, 26cm (10.25ins) deep. Literature:Illustrated in Symonds, R.W. A Book of English Clocks page 79 (Plates 68B and 70). The inside of the door applied with a manuscript table (to assist with the regulation the timepiece from astronomical observations) further inscribed in ink;The stars make 36 revolutions from any point in the universe to the same point again in 365 days & one minute and therefore they gain a 365th of a revolution in every 24 hours of mean solar time, near enough for regulating any clock or watch. This acceleration is at the rate of three minute and fifty-five seconds, fifty three thirds, fifty nine fourths, in twenty four hours or in the nearest round number three minutes fifty six seconds, by which quantity of time every star comes round sooner than it did on the day before.With further note beneath:This timepiece was purchased from Miss Wright, daughter of the maker Mr. Wright Watchmaker to the King George the third. G. Hurt bought this clock in September 1795 for twenty guineas. Thomas Wright was born in London in 1736 and gained his Freedom of the Clockmakers' Company in 1770. He was a gifted watch and clockmaker who was appointed 'watchmaker to the King'; with a fine Matthew Boulton blue john and ormolu-cased quarter chiming table clock being one of his Royal Commissions - which resides at Buckingham Palace (see Jagger, Cedric ROYAL CLOCKS page 98, Plate 134). In 1781 Thomas Earnshaw sought Wright's opinion with regards to his design of detached watch escapement. Wright subsequently commissioned a watch incorporating the design from Earnshaw, which he then put on test for a year. The results were clearly impressive as Wright then assisted Earnshaw by overseeing the patenting of the design with his payment agreed in the form a royalty of one guinea per watch made with the escapement. The Patent (No. 1354) was granted on 1st February 1783 and interestingly also included the ingenious design of compensated pendulum bob employed in the present timepiece. Thomas Wright died in 1792 it is highly likely that the present regulator was in his possession at that time and was passed down to his daughter. In addition to the quality of the movement, dial and the innovative pendulum, the case is also notable in its quality - particularly in the crispness of the carving to the columns and mouldings. Indeed, the general design would appear to have more in common with the northern school of case makers (certainly with regards to the treatment of the pediment) hence it there is a possibility be that Wright may have ordered it from one of the leading north country case makers. The obvious candidate that springs to mind would be Gillows of Lancaster, and indeed the quality of the cabinet work would certainly add weight to this thought. One interesting feature the case has which further points towards an attribution to Gillows is the planting of half columns towards the rear edges of the hood, as it is known that Gillows preferred to use half columns rather than quarters to dress the rear edge.
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Early 19th Century pair cased watch with a circular white enamelled dial and black Roman numerals enclosing a fusee movement inscribed “Chas Graham, London, 2887”, in a brass case, (traces of gilding), 51mm, (lens missing), late 19th Century French lady's watch with a key-wind movement, in a chased gold plated case, 35 mm, (traces of enamelling), Waltham lady's watch with seconds dial enclosing a top-wind movement, in a 20 year 10ct. gold plated case, 35 mm, (working when catalogued), silver plated pair case, 55 mm, watch key inscribed “Harry Le Moine, Blackpool, Watch Maker and Jewellery”, quintuple key, eight other keys, and two sapele boxes (a lot)
Matchbox Superfast 17c Leyland Titan London Bus PROMOTIONAL ISSUE "OGLE DESIGN" / IVECO TRUCKS" - this example has never been previously opened. These were given away to potential clients wrapped in blue paper with a Business Card glued into place, in this case for Ogle's representitive Mr Rolando. Assumed to be in Mint condition, in a Mint Type L Box. This model has come from the Ogle Design Office. Ogle Design were industrial design consultants, working with Leyland's Commercial Vehicle Division during the 1970's & early 1980's. For further details of this previously un-recorded Promotional model, please watch a YouTube Video by our very own Graham Hamilton, unboxing another example for the first time.
Attributed to Graham DARK. Studio pots and vases, a pair of still life studies, oil on artists board, each 30X40cm, and another work- Pendeen Watch (3) Mollie & Graham met in Wimbledon in 1978. He, a Cornishman, born in Gulval in 1930, acquired an early appreciation of art visiting Newlyn Gallery with his family. In his early career Graham worked in London writing for the Daily Express and he was responsible for one of the first Arts columns in a tabloid paper, but in 1960 he opened an antique shop in Chelsea. Inspired by trips to Italy, he displayed early furniture and antiquities in an uncluttered modern setting, a technique he later utilised in his own home. The Darks moved back to Cornwall in 1980 and at their home in Flushing, and later Truro, curated an impressive body of art and antiquities with a particular focus on Cornish artists such as Paul Feiler and Terry Frost, who both became close friends. The paintings were displayed alongside mid-century modern designer furniture by Eames, Bertoia and Magistretti, and arrangements of antiquities, thought of as ‘ensembles’ by Graham. Warm, charming, and generous hosts, they entertained their artistic circle of friends in their exquisitely arranged home, and it is a privilege for us to handle their beautiful possessions today. We hope to present them to you with as much care and consideration as the Darks used, and that those two remarkable connoisseurs would have approved.Graham Dark 1930-2015Mollie Dark 1928-2024
GREENE GRAHAM: (1904-1991) English novelist. A good correspondence collection of five T.Ls.S., Graham, each one page, 8vo, all on the printed stationery of La Residence des Fleurs, Antibes (although accompanied by the original envelopes, all of which have English postmarks from Tunbridge Wells, Kent), January 1977 to September 1983, all to Tadeusz Murek, Greene's Polish translator and close friend. Greene writes on a variety of subjects, in part, ´I am terribly sorry to read of all the disasters in your family. Do write again and tell me how you are and your poor wife and your son. I do hope that after all you won´t have to leave your Foreign Trade Enterprise because it has given you at least a lot of interesting travel. Apart from an article on Panama I have been doing very little work. Work becomes more difficult with age rather than easier´ (12th January 1977), ´ I admire your energy after being so ill in going to Japan. I don´t really envy the experience. I have only spent one day in Tokyo and I didn´t take to the place at all. I wonder if you have run into my friend Rene de Berval to whom I dedicated The Quiet American......Thank you for the article on Manila. The headline amused me but I think that Manila will wait a long time before it sees me. I did turn down an invitation only a few months ago to some kind of congress there. In spite of the writer I don´t think its my cup of tea. I had an amusing time on my second visit to Panama and went with Torrijos to Washington to watch the signing of the treaty equipped with a Panamanian passport!.....I have a new novel coming out in March which may amuse you´ (14th October 1977), ´About Switzerland I am afraid I have no knowledge of anyone there except my lawyer and my daughter and if you do happen to settle in Lausanne you must meet.....I am afraid that I am the last person to help you as far as the Americans are concerned. They regard me with the utmost suspicion!´ (9th October 1978), ´I am sorry that you found no letter on your return from Belgium. A lot of other people are complaining of no response, but I have been moving around a great deal - Panama, Nicaragua, Cuba, Spain, England......As far as I know Monsignor Quixote like my other books is in the hands of Pax and I leave it to my foreign publishers to arrange translations. Why not write to Pax? I don´t even know whether it has yet appeared in Polish´ (2nd September 1983). VG, 5
Larcum Kendall. A rare and historically interesting 18K gold key wind pair case chronometer pocket watchDate: Circa 1770s and later Movement: Later modified gilt full plate Pennington/Earnshaw type escapement, engraved 1830s style balance cock, cut bi-metallic balance with large compensation screws, helical balance spring, diamond end stone, stamped BIDial: White, black Roman numerals, outer minute markers, subsidiary seconds at 6, two steel holding screws, blued steel handsCase: Later polished inner and outer, both stamped IN possibly for John Nevill of Clerkenwell and hallmarked for London 1805Signed: Movement Size: 58.5mmFootnotes:Larcum Kendall (1719-1790) was born in Charlbury, Oxfordshire on 21st September 1719. He was an exceptionally talented watchmaker, working under both George Graham and Thomas Mudge, and is now mostly known for creating the copy of John Harrisons H4 Longitude timekeeper, known as K1. He was apprenticed to John Jefferys from 1735-1742 and it was presumably through this relationship that he was introduced to Harrison and appointed to the Board of Longitude in 1765. The story of Harrisons Longitude work is legendary so why is so little known about the man who was tasked with recreating this revolutionary design so that it could be later put to the test in the real world on Captain James Cooks second voyage of discovery? The simplified answer to this appears to be twofold - firstly, Kendall was a great maker but perhaps not overtly ambitious at creating a legacy for himself. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, there are so few examples of his work still in existence that it is difficult to build a picture of a man on so little evidence. Research suggests there are as few as 6 watches or movements by Kendall, excluding K1-K3, known to be in existence. The current lot, therefore, becomes a very interesting piece of horological history. Since leaving Kendall's work bench, this watch has certainly gone on a journey and it would be fascinating to know the thoughts of each of its custodians over the years. In the 19th century it underwent quite a few modifications with the movement where it was 'upgraded' from what presumably would have been a pivoted detent escapement to an 1830s/40s Pennington/Earnshaw type escapement. Signs of the original movement are very much still there - a recess where the 'Chelsea bun' compensation would have been, the partly obscured signature, stamped number 'BI' and spare holes from the modifications to the balance cock and winding set up. Similarly, the case also received the same treatment and was changed from what would have likely been a silver pair case to a finer 18K yellow gold case, hallmarked for 1805. The dial, meanwhile, was spared these 'upgrades' and is of a very fine quality and appears to be original along with the hands. The layout and steel holding screws are comparative to those found on the Kendall example in the Clockmakers Company collection, now housed in the Science Museum. Despite these modifications this is still a highly important discovery due to the limited number of known examples by Larcum Kendall in existence. The movement number BI is significant and looks to have come from the same series as two of the other known recorded pieces - 'BY' in the Clockmakers Company collection and 'BM' from the ex-Daniels collection. This 'B series' of pivoted detent watches were made by Larcum Kendall in the mid to late 1770s. The production numbers these codes refer to, however, remain a mystery for the time being.It has now been almost twenty years since the last example of a Larcum Kendall was offered at auction, here at Bonhams, in 2005. Such a long passage of time coupled with the other known examples largely being in museums really highlights how rare an opportunity it is for this watch to come to sale.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com
Jerry WHITE (1952) Eight Works framed as Two Six mixed media works framed as one, signed verso, board size 78cm x 54.5cm; together with Two mixed media works framed as one, signed verso, board size 78cm x 54.5cm. Shipping is available from £32.50 to a UK Mainland address. Jerry was one of the artists picked as one of the artists to watch in 'Eighty from the Eighties', along with Wilhelmina Barns-Graham, Patrick Heron, Terry Frost and others.
A Victorian coromandel and brass mounted dressing/toilet box, c.1870, rectangular with hinged shaped cover inset brass plate in the centre engraved 'C A Lamont 1871' , opening to reveal an interior fitted ten glass jars and boxes with silver plated covers, and a lift out tray which holds a set of mother-of-pearl handled manicure tools and button hooks, with release button at the back of the interior which opens a spring loaded drawer in the base with a blue velvet and silk-lined ring and watch tray, the underside of the cover is blue velvet-lined and drops forward to reveal a correspondence folder and a lift out mirror, 30.5 x 23 x 18.5cms high.PROVENANCE: The Graham Smith Retirement Auction - 50 years in the Antiques Trade.
c.1978 Beamish Suzuki trials outfit 325 cc Not registered Frame number 101610 Engine number 101610 Original unrestored machine Purchased 5 years ago White Hawk frame and sidecar assembled by Graham Beamish using a Suzuki RL 325 cc engine Fitted new shocks, chain, sprockets and tyres Very good condition Last used May 2024 All lots in this sale are sold as is and bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Please read our terms and conditions No V5C, workshop manual View video This lot must be collected by 12.30pm on Friday 4th October. If the buyer has not collected by this time it will automatically be removed and placed into storage, incurring a removal charge of £60 + VAT. Combinations will be charged at £100 + VAT. Storage will then be charged at £10 + VAT per day or part thereof. If collecting from storage, please provide 24 hours notice
![Early 19th century inlaid oak-cased 8-day brass dial longcase clock, Jones, Chalford [Gloucestershire], the 12-inch break-arc](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/d3a0dbad-1be2-4e63-a4e6-b1ce00fa3207/04cd538f-898c-42bc-b61f-b1e1011bc28a/468x382.jpg)
Early 19th century inlaid oak-cased 8-day brass dial longcase clock, Jones, Chalford [Gloucestershire], the 12-inch break-arched dial with Roman hours and Arabic minutes framing subsidiary seconds and terrestrial calendar dials, within rococo spandrels, the arch with lunar calendar scale over rolling moon phase decorated with a ship and a thatched cottage, the movement with four knopped pillars striking on a bell, the case with swan-neck pediment and urn patera over fluted frieze, Corinthian columns flanking 'South West' type wavy hood door moulding, the side with lancet arch boxwood line inlay, the trunk with canted and inlaid stop-fluted corners framing conforming urn patera within lozenge-inlaid border, the canted base on bracket feet, 222cm high (sold with two weights and pendulum)Dowler, Graham, Gloucestershire Clockm# and Watch Makers, 1984, pp. 191-2 records several Jones family clockmakers, the most likely being Daniel (c. 1801-40) or his brother John (c. 1820).
A FINE GEORGE II POCKET WATCH MOVEMENT WITH CYLINDER ESCAPEMENTGEORGE GRAHAM, LONDON, NUMBER 6077, CIRCA 1742The gilt full plate single fusee movement with four square baluster pillars pinned through the backplate, scroll-pierced stop-iron block and cylinder escapement regulated by sprung three-arm steel balance with Tompion type regulation, the backplate with fine symmetric foliate scroll pierced and engraved balance cock with faceted diamond endstone, herringbone bordered canted rim and with wedge-shaped scroll engraved foot flanked by silvered regulation disc set within adjacent applied scroll engraved panel infill opposing signature Geo. Graham, London and numbered 6077, with gilt brass dust cover similarly signed Geo. Graham, London.The pillar plate 3.5cm (1.375ins) diameter. Provenance:The Leonard Fuller Collection. Purchased from Gerald E. Marsh, Winchester, 11th December 2004 as part of a package deal comprising the oval pre-haispring watch by Vallier and two other watch movements by John Knibb and Thomas Tompion for a total of £14,000. George Graham was born in around 1673 in Kirklinton, Cumberland, but by 1688 he had moved to London and entered into an apprenticeship with Henry Aske. Graham gained his freedom of the Clockmakers' Company in 1695 and went to work for Thomas Tompion, whose niece, Elizabeth, he married at St. Mary le Bow in September 1704. After the Tompion's failed partnership with Edard Banger Graham was trusted to become his successor with the two makers entering into a formal a partnership in 1711. On Tompion's death in 1713 George Graham inherited the business 'on the corner of Water Lane in Fleet Street' and continued there until 1720 when he relocated to 'the Dial and One Crown' further up Fleet Street, nearer Fleet Bridge.George Graham maintained the same exacting standards as his former master and also continued the serial numbering system established in around 1680/81. In 1722 he served as Master of the Clockmakers' Company and went on to establish himself as one of the most important clockmakers of his generation. Amongst his achievements was the further development of the deadbeat escapement, invention of the mercury compensated pendulum and the cylinder watch escapement. As well as clocks and watches George Graham was also a highly accomplished maker of scientific instruments with perhaps his most famous creation being the planetarium made for Charles Boyle, Earl of Orrery. He also produced the great mural quadrant for Edmund Halley at Greenwich observatory, also a fine transit instrument and the zenith sector used by James Bradley in his discoveries. Through his observations in testing his very highly regarded compasses Graham also discovered the diurnal variation in the terrestrial magnetic field in 1722/23.George Graham also became an ardent supporter of John Harrison in the development of his marine chronometers to the extent that he forwarded an interest free private loan of £200 to Harrison to facilitate the building of H1. George Graham died in 1751 and was buried next to his former master in Westminster Abbey, leaving the business in the hands of a former apprentices, Samuel Barclay and Thomas Colley. George Graham's legacy is perhaps best reflected by the subsequent work of another former apprentice, Thomas Mudge, who went on to continue in the development of the marine chronometer after Harrison, and to invent the lever watch escapement. The cylinder escapement was developed in around 1695 by Thomas Tompion and further refined by George Graham in 1726. This new escapement was perhaps the first developed exclusively for watch work and, as well as being a better rate keeper, the cylinder escapement also allowed movements to be made more compact (due to the escapement operating in one plane only). However, being a form of frictional rest escapement, the cylinder escapement was prone to relatively heavy rates of wear hence was less reliable than the verge (until hardened steel escape wheels and ruby cylinders were developed later in the 18th century). George Graham's faith in this new design of escapement was such that he incorporated it into all of his watches from around 1725/6 (between serial numbers 5175 and 5182). Condition Report: The movement is complete and in working condition. The train appears all-original with the probable exception of the escape wheel which is probably a 'service replacement'. Some of the steelwork (most notably the minute hand post and winding squares) is oxidised and the silvered regulation disc is discoloured. The backcock securing screw is a little chewed. The movement retains gilt finish to wheelwork (except escape wheel) and to the plates with minimal wear/scratching. The dust cover is missing its steel slide latch and is generally discoloured/oxidised but would no doubt clean very well. The dial mounting plate is present but with solder residue from a previous alternative mounting (although there appears to be no additional modifications/holes etc). The hour wheel/tube is present. Movement has a winding key. Condition Report Disclaimer
A FINE AND QUEEN ANNE VERGE HOUR STRIKING CLOCK-WATCH WITH CHAMPLEVE DIALCHARLES GRETTON, LONDON, CIRCA 1707The front-winding gilt full plate movement with three pierced Egyptian and two baluster pillars pinned through the backplate, the fusee going train with tulip-shaped stop-iron block and verge escapement regulated by sprung three-arm steel balance with Tompion type regulation, the locking plate controlled strike train with foliate band engraved standing barrel, foliate sculpted steel detent gates and sounding the hours and once again at the half hour via a hammer positioned beneath the spring barrel on a bell fitted to the interior of the case, the backplate with fine symmetrical foliate strapwork scroll pierced and chased cock inhabited by eagles and decorated with a male mask at the junction with the conforming pierced foot, flanked by silvered regulation disk set within further applied engraved fretwork opposing silvered countwheel with numbered divisions, next to signature Char. Gretton, London partially obscured by the strike stopwork spring with indistinct number 1718 beneath, the champleve dial with matted centre within Roman numeral chapter ring incorporating relief diamond lozenge half hour markers and cartouche Arabic five minute numerals to outer track, with fine sculpted blued steel hands with the minute cranked to clear the winding holes, the silver consular case with fine foliate strapwork scroll pierced and engraved bands to both the internal and external bezels and to the circumference of the main body of the case incorporating mask and scallop shell motifs, with moulded rim and short suspension post with bow at twelve o'clock, unmarked; with a later silver fancy-link albert with T-bar marked for London 1866 terminating with a rock crystal fob seal intaglio cut with Masonic symbols. The pillar plate 3.8cm (1.5ins) diameter, the case 5.3cm (2.125ins) diameter. Provenance:The Leonard Fuller Collection. Purchased form Evans and Evans, Arlesford, 12th August 1970 for £330. Literature:The present lot is extensively illustrated and described in Radage, Dennis; Warner, Meinen and Radage, Laila CHARLES GRETTON, THROUGH THE GOLDEN AGE as 'GW22' pages 696-99. Charles Gretton is documented by Radage, Meinen and Radage as born in Clayplole, Lincolnshire in 1648. By 1662 he had moved to London entering into an eight-year apprenticeship under Humphrey Downing on the 30th June of that year (turned over from Lionell Wythe); Downing died in 1666 but it is thought that Gretton continued his apprenticeship under his widow, Cordelia, gaining his freedom of the Clockmakers Company in 1672 and se-up business in Fleet Street. In 1677 Charles Gretton married Mary Phillips and established himself at the sign of the 'The Ship' in Fleet Street (either number 174 or 175 next to Fetter Lane). Gretton was appointed an Assistant of the Clockmaker's Company in 1889 and then Warden in 1697; the same year he signed the 'oath of allegiance'. In 1700 Charles Gretton served as Master as well marrying his second wife Lucy Uffman (his first wife Mary died in 1694). In 1701 he put £50 forward to the Clockmakers' Company in order to establish a trust to assist the orphans of deceased members and was nominated to serve again as Master in 1705/06. Lucy, his second wife died before 1711 as this is the year that Charles Gretton married his third wife, Dorethea Wilson shortly after which he moved to his newly acquired second premises at two Chancery Lane. At this time his premises at 'The Ship', Fleet Street was passed onto the management of his nephew, Thomas Moore who paid taxes on the building until 1723. In 1716 Charles and Dorothea moved again to Chancery Lane where they remained until Dorothea's death in 1727. By this time Charles Gretton had retired from active clockmaking and went to go and live with his daughter, Ann, in Milk Street where he remained until his death in 1731.During his career Charles Gretton He took on many apprentices including Henry Sully (Freed April 1705) and Joseph Antram (Freed October 1706) both of whom went on to become famous clockmakers in their own right. By the time of his death and internment at St. Dunstan's in the West Gretton had become a wealthy and highly respected figure within the City of London as well as the clockmaking community. His Will mentions no less than nine properties as well as £1,300 deposited in the Bank of England contributing the £2,600 monetary component of his legacy. The present lot sounds both the hours and a single blow for the half hour. This form of striking is traditionally termed 'French striking' hence it is possible that this watch was made either for export to France or for a French client. Clockwatches are a notably rare. For example, when considering Thomas Tompion's output, the highest serial number for his sequence of clockwatches is 130 versus circa 4500 for his timepiece watches and 990 for his repeating watches (excluding continuation numbering by George Graham). This would suggest that less than two percent of Tompion's watch output were clockwatches. The present lot, as well as being particularly rare, has also survived in fine original condition throughout. Condition Report: Movement is in fine original fully working condition with no visible evidence of alteration or noticeable replacements except possibly for the strike gate detent spring. The wheelwork retains gilding with minimal wear/oxidation as does the backplate and fittings with only very minor scratching and wear. The edge of the backcock table has possibly been but back slightly (for around half of its diameter) to allow banking pins to be fitted to protect the amplitude of the balance (this feature may be original). The dial is in fine original condition with possibly some slight distortion near the right hand winding hole and overall minor rubbing only. The case is in very fine original condition with no apparent dents (except for some very slight undulation near the clasp spring rivet) or breaks to the fretwork, and minimal wear.Watch has a winding key. Condition Report Disclaimer
A FINE GEORGE III ENGRAVED GOLD AND BASSE-TAILLE ENAMEL PAIR-CASED CYLINDER POCKET WATCH THOMAS MUDGE AND WILLIAM DUTTON, LONDON, 1773The gilt full plate single fusee movement with four square section baluster pillars pinned through the backplate, scroll-pierced stop-iron block and cylinder escapement regulated by sprung three-arm steel balance with Tompion type regulation, the backplate with fine asymmetric foliate scroll pierced and engraved balance cock with faceted diamond endstone, herringbone bordered rim and grotesque mask at the junction with wedge-shaped leafy scroll engraved foot flanked by silvered regulation disc set within adjacent applied scroll engraved panel infill opposing signature Tho: Mudge, W. Dutton, London and numbered 979, with gilt brass dust cover similarly signed Tho: Mudge, W. Dutton, London, with slightly later circular white enamel Arabic numeral dial with vertically aligned numerals and gold arrow hands, the inner case with suspension post with bow at twelve o'clock, the outer case engraved and parcel cobalt blue enamel decorated with floral spray within oval panel and tied-ribbon and leafy-spray inhabited surround within white heighted repeating lozenge outer border, with conforming border to bezel and bright-cut mouldings to circumference, marks for London 1773, maker PM possibly for Peter Mounier.The pillar plate 3.6cm (1.375ins) diameter; the outer case 4.8cm (1.875ins) diameter. Provenance:The Leonard Fuller Collection. Purchased from Malcolm Gardner, Sevenoaks, 29th August 1967 for £265. Thomas Mudge was born in Exeter, Devon in 1717 and was apprenticed to George Graham before setting himself up in business at 151 Fleet Street, London in 1748. At around the time of the death of his former Master in 1751, Mudge was joined in partnership by a fellow former apprentice of Graham, William Dutton, who is recorded in Baillie, G.H. Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World as apprenticed in 1738 and gaining his freedom of the Clockmakers' Company in 1746.The business subsequently traded from 148 Fleet Street and Mudge, whilst in partnership with Dutton, rapidly acquired a reputation as one of England's outstanding watchmakers. In around 1755, if not earlier, Mudge invented the detached lever escapement, which he first applied to a clock, but when incorporated into a watch became the greatest single improvement ever applied to them.In 1765 Mudge published the book, Thoughts on the Means of Improving Watches, Particularly those for Use at Sea, and the following year, alongside Dutton, was elevated to Liveryman. In around 1771 Thomas Mudge retired to Plymouth in order to spend more time to pursue his development of a marine timekeeper. The first of these went on trial in 1774 where it performed superbly leading to an award of 500 guineas. Mudge went on to complete two others in 1779 in the continuing attempt to satisfy the increasingly difficult requirements set by the Board of Longitude. They were tested by the Astronomer Royal, Nevil Maskelyne, and declared as being unsatisfactory. There followed a controversy in which it was claimed that Maskelyne had not given them a fair trial. A similar controversy had arisen when John Harrison had been denied the full amount of the 1714 prize by the Board of Longitude. Eventually, in 1792, two years before his death, Mudge was awarded £2,500 by a Committee of the House of Commons who decided for Mudge and against the Board of Longitude, then headed by Sir Joseph Banks.In around 1775 Dutton took both his sons (Thomas and Matthew) into the business forming a second partnership of William Dutton and Sons however the name Mudge and Dutton was often still used (mainly for watches) up to around 1790. William Dutton died in 1794 leaving the business to be continued very much in his tradition by his sons Thomas and Matthew. The cylinder escapement was developed in around 1695 by Thomas Tompion and further refined by George Graham in 1726. This new escapement was perhaps the first developed exclusively for watch work and, as well as being a better rate keeper, the cylinder escapement also allowed movements to be made more compact (due to the escapement operating in one plane only). However, being a form of frictional rest escapement, the cylinder escapement was prone to relatively heavy rates of wear hence was less reliable than the verge (until hardened steel escape wheels and ruby cylinders were developed later in the 18th century).An essentially identical movement to the present lot, also by Mudge and Dutton (number 1207 dated to 1781) but retaining original dial and gold pair-cases and benefitting from single family ownership since new, was sold in these rooms on 6th October 2021 (lot 225) for £9,000 hammer. Peter Mounier was a specialist maker of engraved and enamelled watch cases who is believed to have worked form circa 1761. Condition Report: Movement is in fine original working condition with no visible evidence of alteration or significant replacements. The gilding to the escapewheel appears to be mostly rubbed/cleaned off (hence perhaps could be a 'service replacement') otherwise gilding to wheelwork, backplate etc exhibits next to no wear/scratching. The dust cover is in very fine original condition. As catalogued the dial is a slightly later replacement (circa 1800) but is in fine condition with no visible damage. The inner case is in fine condition with no discernible denting or notable scratching. The outer case has some small losses to the enamel infill (most notably to the leafy spray infill to the left-hand side) and overall light wear. The clasp release button is worn/dented otherwise appears to be in fine original condition.Watch has a winding key. Condition Report Disclaimer
A RARE FRENCH RENAISSANCE PRE-HAIRSPRING GILT BRASS AND ROCK CRYSTAL OVAL PENDANT WATCHJ. VALLIER, LYON, CIRCA 1625The oval gilt single fusee movement with four shouldered baluster pillars pinned through the backplate and verge escapement regulated by steel flat-rimmed two arm balance, the backplate with asymmetric stylised tulip scrollwork pierced and engraved balance cock with pinned at the junction with the conforming asymmetric foot, the mainspring with blued steel set-up ratchet set behind conforming pierced and engraved single-footed guard for the click spring, opposing engraved signature J. Vallier, ALyon the gilt oval dial finely engraved with a scene of a Bacchante holding aloft a goblet before a building and with blued steel hand within applied silver Roman numeral chapter ring, the outer margins engraved with reclining angels to upper section and a term with outstretched wings issuing symmetrical scrollwork infill to the lower, the movement and dial secured via sprung latches into the oval section three-piece case applied with twin hinged covers inset with gadroon-carved rock crystal panels within leavy scroll engraved bezels, the centre section with gadroon engraved outer bands, tulip cast suspension post and ring-knopped pendant finial to the underside.The movement and dial 4cm (1.55ins approx.) high, 3cm (1.2ins approx.) wide; the case 6.6cm (2.5ins) high excluding later ring, 3.5cm (1.325ins) wide, 3cm (1.2ins approx.) deep overall. Provenance:The Leonard Fuller Collection. Purchased from Gerald E. Marsh, Winchester, 11th December 2004 as part of a package deal watch movements by George Graham, John Knibb and Thomas Tompion for a total of £14,000. Jean Vallier is recorded in Tardy DICTIONNAIRE DES HORLOGERS FRANCAIS as apprenticed 1590-96 and became Master in 1602. He married Madeleine Noytolon in 1605 and died in 1649.The work of Jean Vallier of Lyon is mentioned in Britten, F.J. Old Clocks and Watches and Their Makers pages 67, 95 and 97; a clock-watch with astronomical calendar dial is illustrated in plate XI (in the collection of the British Museum, object number 1888, 120.177). He is considered as one of the premier makers of his time with thirteen watches noted by Baillie including examples in the 'South Kensington Museum, the Fitzwilliam, Cambridge and three in the Louvre. Condition Report: The wheel train appears all original retaining original fire gilding to the brass, the movement will run hence can be considered as being in working condition. The balance is probably a replacement, the staff and pallets appear to have age but are probably also well made replacements. The balance cock has a solder repair at the junction with the foot causing some loss to the gilding/surface around that point and the rest of the gilding has now taken on a slightly reddish hue probably from the heat of the repair. The pierced spring ratchet set-up guard is in fine condition, however the colour of the surface differs a little from the backcock and the gilding of the wheelwork hence we cannot rule out that it might be a very well made replacement. The backplate retains its gilt finish but with some light rubbing/scratching and the signature has been highlighted with black wax). The dial is in fine condition with good strong gilding; the chapter ring has a small bruise at VII otherwise is in good condition. The hand appears to be a replacement. The case presents as being in fine condition however the front and rear covers (including the rock crystal) are thought to be associated (see Christie's catalogue entry 5/07/2002 lot 15). However they are correctly made from engraved and gilded cast brass and the fit is essentially perfect. The gilding is also well-matched. The body of the case retains its gilding in good condition with only slight wear/discolouration; there are a few light bruises and scratches and the interior has some rubbing from the movement being drawn in and out of the case. The pendant ring is a replacement but the post appears original.Watch has a winding key. Condition Report Disclaimer
A FINE AND RARE JAMES II VERGE POCKET WATCH MOVEMENTTHOMAS TOMPION, LONDON, NUMBER 947, CIRCA 1687The gilt full plate single fusee movement with four pierced tulip pillars pinned through the backplate, scroll-pierced stop-iron block and verge escapement regulated by sprung three-arm steel balance with Tompion type regulation, the backplate with fine symmetric foliate scroll pierced, chased and engraved balance cock with part herringbone bordered canted rim, with conforming pierced irregular scroll engraved foot flanked by silvered regulation disc set within adjacent applied scroll engraved panel infill opposing signature T. Tompion, London and numbered 947, the front of the pillar plate also stamped with serial number 947.The pillar plate 3.9cm (1.5ins) diameter. Provenance:The Leonard Fuller Collection. Purchased from Gerald E. Marsh, Winchester, 11th December 2004 as part of a package deal comprising the oval pre-haispring watch by Vallier and two other watch movements by John Knibb and George Graham for a total of £14,000. Thomas Tompion has often been referred to as the 'father of English clock and watchmaking'. When considering the legacy of his work and influence on subsequent generations, such a compliment is justly deserved. Born in Ickwell, Suffolk in 1639 Thomas Tompion appears to have developed an affinity for metalworking from his father, also named Thomas, who worked as a blacksmith. By 1670 Tompion had moved to London and was working in the clock and watchmaking trade. Although there is no record of his apprenticeship or whether he received any formal training prior to moving to London, he quickly became established and obtained his freedom of the Clockmaker's Company in late 1671. His early clocks demonstrate a close working relationship with the Fromanteel, East and Knibb workshops. Around this time Tompion became friendly with eminent mathematicians and scientists such as Robert Hooke and Jonas Moore - perhaps the most progressive and inventive minds of the day. Such associations lead to Royal commissions, firstly from Charles II for whom Tompion is known to have made one of the earliest balance-spring watches in 1676 and later William III who ordered numerous clocks to furnish his various palaces throughout his reign. As well as being an extremely talented artisan Tompion was also commercially minded, cleverly introducing serial numbering for his watches and clocks from around 1681/2. This, as well as maintaining a high degree of refinement in both the design and construction of his clocks and watches, ensured the highest level of exclusivity for clients purchasing from him. In around 1701 Thomas Tompion took a former apprentice, Edward Banger, into partnership. Banger was originally apprenticed to Thomas Ashby in 1687 but was transferred over to Tompion and gained his freedom of the Clockmaker's Company in 1695. He was clearly a talented maker (when considering the few examples signed by Banger alone) however a serious problem between him and his former master caused the partnership to come to an abrupt end in 1707-8 for reasons unknown. On Banger's departure Tompion reverted to working alone until he found confidence in George Graham who had been engaged as a journeyman for Tompion since 1696. Graham's character had already been given the seal of approval by Tompion who allowed him to marry his niece, Elizabeth, in 1704; however it still would be a few years before Tompion would take Graham into partnership which he eventually did in 1711. Thomas Tompion died in November 1713 leaving the business to George Graham who maintained the same exacting standards and became famous in his own right with notable achievements including the development of the deadbeat escapement for pendulum clocks and the cylinder escapement for watches. The style and execution of the engraving to the backcock of the present watch can be closely compared to Tompion watch number 1004 (a timepiece with subsidiary seconds) illustrated in in Evans, Jeremy; Carter, Jonathan and Wright, Ben THOMAS TOMPION, 300 YEARS on page 576. Condition Report: Movement is in working order and is complete with no visible evidence of alteration of noticeable replacements. The wheelwork retains original gilding (with some wear and oxidation most noticeably to the fusee) as does the backplate and its fittings with minimal wear/scratching. The motionwork is present with the watch and the pillar plate is in original condition without additional holes etc. from a later dial being fitted.Movement has a winding key. Condition Report Disclaimer
A VERY FINE GEORGE I GOLD REPOUSSE PAIR-CASED POCKET WATCH WITH CYLINDER ESCAPEMENTGEORGE GRAHAM, LONDON, NUMBER 5438, 1732The gilt full plate single fusee movement with four Egyptian pillars pinned through the backplate, scroll-pierced stop-iron block and cylinder escapement regulated by sprung three-arm steel balance with Tompion type regulation, the backplate with fine symmetric foliate scroll pierced and engraved balance cock with faceted diamond endstone, herringbone bordered canted rim and with wedge-shaped scroll engraved foot flanked by silvered regulation disc set within adjacent applied scroll engraved panel infill opposing signature Geo: Graham, London and numbered 5438, with gilt brass dust cover similarly signed Geo. Graham, London, the slightly convex white enamel Roman numeral dial with Arabic five minutes to outer track and finely worked beetle and poker hands, the inner case with shuttered winding hole to rear cover and suspension post with bow at twelve o'clock, the outer case repousse decorated in the manner of George Moser with Diana the huntress seated within a woodland landscape with a hound within repeating S-scroll surround adorned with scallop shells at the quadrants within further scroll-bordered reserves alternating with floral panels, the bezel with circumference engraved with further scrolls into a matted ground and with moulded collar to outer edge, the inner case with marks for London 1732 maker IW for John Ward and stamped with repeat serial number 5438.The pillar plate 3.5cm (1.375ins) diameter, the outer case 5cm (2ins) diameter. Provenance:The Leonard Fuller Collection. Purchased from Malcolm Gardner, Sevenoaks, 29th August 1967 for £265. George Graham was born in around 1673 in Kirklinton, Cumberland, but by 1688 he had moved to London and entered into an apprenticeship with Henry Aske. Graham gained his freedom of the Clockmakers' Company in 1695 and went to work for Thomas Tompion, whose niece, Elizabeth, he married at St. Mary le Bow in September 1704. After the Tompion's failed partnership with Edard Banger Graham was trusted to become his successor with the two makers entering into a formal a partnership in 1711. On Tompion's death in 1713 George Graham inherited the business 'on the corner of Water Lane in Fleet Street' and continued there until 1720 when he relocated to 'the Dial and One Crown' further up Fleet Street, nearer Fleet Bridge.George Graham maintained the same exacting standards as his former master and also continued the serial numbering system established in around 1680/81. In 1722 he served as Master of the Clockmakers' Company and went on to establish himself as one of the most important clockmakers of his generation. Amongst his achievements was the further development of the deadbeat escapement, invention of the mercury compensated pendulum and the cylinder watch escapement. As well as clocks and watches George Graham was also a highly accomplished maker of scientific instruments with perhaps his most famous creation being the planetarium made for Charles Boyle, Earl of Orrery. He also produced the great mural quadrant for Edmund Halley at Greenwich observatory, also a fine transit instrument and the zenith sector used by James Bradley in his discoveries. Through his observations in testing his very highly regarded compasses Graham also discovered the diurnal variation in the terrestrial magnetic field in 1722/23.George Graham also became an ardent supporter of John Harrison in the development of his marine chronometers to the extent that he forwarded an interest free private loan of £200 to Harrison to facilitate the building of H1. George Graham died in 1751 and was buried next to his former master in Westminster Abbey, leaving the business in the hands of a former apprentices, Samuel Barclay and Thomas Colley. George Graham's legacy is perhaps best reflected by the subsequent work of another former apprentice, Thomas Mudge, who went on to continue in the development of the marine chronometer after Harrison, and to invent the lever watch escapement. The cylinder escapement was developed in around 1695 by Thomas Tompion and further refined by George Graham in 1726. This new escapement was perhaps the first developed exclusively for watch work and, as well as being a better rate keeper, the cylinder escapement also allowed movements to be made more compact (due to the escapement operating in one plane only). However, being a form of frictional rest escapement, the cylinder escapement was prone to relatively heavy rates of wear hence was less reliable than the verge (until hardened steel escape wheels and ruby cylinders were developed later in the 18th century). George Graham's faith in this new design of escapement was such that he incorporated it into all of his watches from around 1725/6 (between serial numbers 5175 and 5182). The present lot is a fine relatively early example of a Graham cylinder watch in fine condition complete with finely worked heavy outer repousse case. Condition Report: The watch is in fine clean working condition with no visible evidence of alteration or noticeable replacements however it is possible that the escapewheel and cylinder may be 'service' replacements. The mechanism retains its gilt finish with minimal wear and with other faults limited to a couple of small scratches to the backplate. The dust cover is in fine condition. The dial appears to be in perfect condition including the hands which are vey finely made. The inner case is in fine original condition with minimal wear and no discernible denting. The outer case has some slight wear to the high spots to the rear cover otherwise in in fine original condition.Gross weight 133g. Watch has a winding key. Condition Report Disclaimer
A FINE AND RARE WILLIAM III VERGE POCKET WATCH MOVEMENTJOHN KNIBB, OXFORD, CIRCA 1695The gilt full plate single fusee movement with four pierced Egyptian pillars pinned through the backplate, scroll-pierced stop-iron block and verge escapement regulated by sprung three-arm flat-rimmed steel balance with Tompion type regulation, the backplate with fine symmetric foliate scroll pierced, chased and engraved balance cock with female mask at the junction with conforming pierced wedge-shaped scroll engraved foot flanked by silvered regulation disc set within adjacent applied scroll engraved panel infill opposing signature John Knibb att, Oxford and numbered 626. The pillar plate 3.9cm (1.5ins) diameter. Provenance:The Leonard Fuller Collection. Purchased from Gerald E. Marsh, Winchester, 11th December 2004 as part of a package deal comprising the oval pre-haispring watch by Vallier and two other watch movements by George Graham and Thomas Tompion for a total of £14,000. John Knibb was born in 1650 and was apprenticed to his older brother, Joseph, in around 1664. When Joseph moved to London in 1670 to set up business (presumably in the workshop inherited from his uncle, Samuel) John took on the Oxford workshop gaining the Freedom of the city on payment of a fine in 1673. Joseph Knibb retired in 1697 selling up most of his workshop before moving to Hanslop, Buckinghamshire where he made a few clocks prior to his death in 1711. John Knibb became a high profile figure within the City of Oxford twice becoming Mayor, he continued in business until his death in 1722. Due to the comparative rarity of clocks signed by John Knibb it has been suggested that his workshop may have generally served to supply Joseph's larger concern in London. The strong similarities between John's best work and those signed by Joseph would certainly support this view. However it is also clear that John was a high profile tradesman in the City of Oxford who trained no less than ten apprentices, therefore it is perhaps more likely that, although the two workshops were closely connected, they generally worked separately to supply clocks to differing groups of clients. Unlike their peers, such as Thomas Tompion or Daniel Quare, it would appear that the Knibb family produced relatively few watches. As such examples by John and Joseph Knibb rarely turn-up in the auction market. Condition Report: Movement is complete (except for motionwork) and is in in working order. The train exhibits some oxidation to the gilding with the escape and contrate wheel being noticeably rubbed suggesting that they have received attention at some point (may even be old 'service replacements'. The backcock may have originally had a canted section (for about half of its diameter) which appears to have been filed back to facilitate banking limit pins to be fitted to the balance rim and outer rim of the cock. Backplate and fittings otherwise appear to be in fine original condition with only other notable fault being a slight casting crack to the signature. The pillar plate is in good condition although there are a few more holes than probably originally intended most likely from mounting a later dial. The hour wheel/pipe assembly and intermediate motion wheel are not present with the movement.Movement has a winding key. Condition Report Disclaimer
A SILVER PAIR-CASED POCKET WATCH WITH CYLINDER ESCAPEMENTTHE MOVEMENT BY THOMAS MUDGE AND WILLIAM DUTTON, LONDON, CIRCA 1775, THE DIAL AND CASE CIRCA 1828The gilt full plate single fusee movement with four square section baluster pillars pinned through the backplate, scroll-pierced stop-iron block and cylinder escapement regulated by sprung three-arm steel balance with Tompion type regulation, the backplate with fine asymmetric foliate scroll pierced and engraved balance cock with faceted diamond endstone, herringbone bordered rim and grotesque mask at the junction with wedge-shaped relief engraved foot flanked by silvered regulation disc set within adjacent applied scroll engraved panel infill opposing signature Tho's Mudge, W. Dutton, London and numbered 1056, with gilt brass dust cover similarly signed Tho's Mudge, W. Dutton, London, with later circular white enamel Roman numeral dial with gilt spade hands and silver three-part consular case with suspension post and loop at twelve o'clock, case marked for London 1828 makers EW for Edward Walker (registered July 1826).The pillar plate 4.1cm (1.125ins) diameter, the case 5cm (2ins) diameter. Thomas Mudge was born in Exeter, Devon in 1717 and was apprenticed to George Graham before setting himself up in business at 151 Fleet Street, London in 1748. At around the time of the death of his former Master in 1751, Mudge was joined in partnership by a fellow former apprentice of Graham, William Dutton, who is recorded in Baillie, G.H. Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World as apprenticed in 1738 and gaining his freedom of the Clockmakers' Company in 1746.The business subsequently traded from 148 Fleet Street and Mudge, whilst in partnership with Dutton, rapidly acquired a reputation as one of England's outstanding watchmakers. In around 1755, if not earlier, Mudge invented the detached lever escapement, which he first applied to a clock, but when incorporated into a watch became the greatest single improvement ever applied to them.In 1765 Mudge published the book, Thoughts on the Means of Improving Watches, Particularly those for Use at Sea, and the following year, alongside Dutton, was elevated to Liveryman. In around 1771 Thomas Mudge retired to Plymouth in order to spend more time to pursue his development of a marine timekeeper. The first of these went on trial in 1774 where it performed superbly leading to an award of 500 guineas. Mudge went on to complete two others in 1779 in the continuing attempt to satisfy the increasingly difficult requirements set by the Board of Longitude. They were tested by the Astronomer Royal, Nevil Maskelyne, and declared as being unsatisfactory. There followed a controversy in which it was claimed that Maskelyne had not given them a fair trial. A similar controversy had arisen when John Harrison had been denied the full amount of the 1714 prize by the Board of Longitude. Eventually, in 1792, two years before his death, Mudge was awarded £2,500 by a Committee of the House of Commons who decided for Mudge and against the Board of Longitude, then headed by Sir Joseph Banks.In around 1775 Dutton took both his sons (Thomas and Matthew) into the business forming a second partnership of William Dutton and Sons however the name Mudge and Dutton was often still used (mainly for watches) up to around 1790. William Dutton died in 1794 leaving the business to be continued very much in his tradition by his sons Thomas and Matthew. The cylinder escapement was developed in around 1695 by Thomas Tompion and further refined by George Graham in 1726. This new escapement was perhaps the first developed exclusively for watch work and, as well as being a better rate keeper, the cylinder escapement also allowed movements to be made more compact (due to the escapement operating in one plane only). However, being a form of frictional rest escapement, the cylinder escapement was prone to relatively heavy rates of wear hence was less reliable than the verge (until hardened steel escape wheels and ruby cylinders were developed later in the 18th century).An essentially identical movement to the present lot, also by Mudge and Dutton (number 1207 dated to 1781) but retaining original dial and gold pair-cases and benefitting from single family ownership since new, was sold in these rooms on 6th October 2021 (lot 225) for £9,000 hammer. Condition Report: Movement is in fine original working condition with no visible evidence of alteration or replacements. The gilding to the escapewheel appears to be mostly rubbed/cleaned off otherwise gilding to wheelwork, backplate etc exhibits minimal wear/scratching. The dust cover has crescent shaped gilt wear to the edge of the signature panel and the tip of the blued steel latch slide is missing otherwise dust cover is in good original condition with only light wear. The dial has a very light hairline crack issuing form the centre across to beyond the V numeral otherwise is in good condition. The case has some shallow denting to the rear cover and the front bezel closes but not tightly. There is a scuff to the bezel at three o'clock and the glass has scratching/wear.Watch has a winding key. Condition Report Disclaimer
A FINE GEORGE III BLUE GUILLOCHE ENAMELLED GOLD POCKET WATCH WITH CYLINDER ESCAPEMENTVULLIAMY, LONDON, 1793The gilt full plate single fusee movement with four columnar pillars pinned through the backplate, shaped stop-iron block and cylinder escapement regulated by sprung three-arm steel balance with Tompion type regulation, the backplate with fine symmetric foliate scroll pierced and engraved balance cock with faceted diamond endstone, herringbone bordered rim and grotesque mask at the junction with wedge-shaped leafy scroll engraved and pierced foot flanked by silvered regulation disc set within adjacent applied serpent inhabited scroll engraved panel infill opposing signature Vulliamy, LONDON and with coded serial number zus, with gilt brass dust cover, the circular slightly convex white Roman numeral enamel dial with Arabic five minutes to outer track and gold beetle and poker hands, the case with radial engine-turned decoration to the blue guilloche enamel decorated hinged rear cover incorporating repeating blue and cream arcaded border, the hinged bezel with conforming border and with fine chevron engraved band to circumference, marks for London 1793, maker SG.The pillar plate 4.2cm (1.675ins) diameter; the case 5.5cm (2.25ins approx.) diameter. Provenance:The Leonard Fuller Collection. Francois-Justin Vulliamy was born in 1712, the son of a pastor from Gingins, Pays de Vaud, Switzerland. He initially trained and moved to Paris to make watches there, but when George Graham invented the cylinder escapement he came to London (in around 1730), to familiarise himself with it. It was around this that time he met Benjamin Gray with whom he subsequently formed a partnership in 1743; the year after Gray had been appointed Watchmaker in Ordinary to George II. In 1746 Vulliamy married Benjamin's daughter, Mary and they subsequently had four children, Jane, Benjamin, Lewis and Mary. Justin Vulliamy was proud of his roots, and took the lead in permanently establishing the Swiss Church in London in 1762. Whilst Vulliamy was in partnership with Gray their work was signed with both names. After the death of Gray in 1764 the Royal Warrant passed to Vulliamy who signed with either his full name or the shortened version 'Just. Vulliamy'. In around 1780 Justin's son, Benjamin, joined his father in partnership and the workshop subsequently adopted the practice of signing their work with the family surname 'Vulliamy' alone. Justin Vulliamy died in 1797 leaving the business in the hands of Benjamin, who in turn passed it on to his son, Benjamin Lewis, who worked from 52 Pall Mall, served as Warden of the Clockmakers' Company 1821-5 and was appointed Master five times. All three generations of the Vulliamy clockmaking family benefitted from Royal patronage. Condition Report: The movement is in fine clean working condition with no visible evidence of alteration or noticeable replacements. All wheelwork, backplate and fittings retain original gilding with next to no wear, scratching etc. The dust cover is in fine condition except that one of the latch posts is missing its tip. One of the movement securing turnscrews also missing. The dial has some hairline cracking towards the margin between the VIII and X numerals; the hands are nicely made and in good condition. The case is in fine condition with faults limited to some small surface scratches to the enamel, the date letter is indistinct but just about legible.Case 74g with movement and dial removed, watch has a winding key. Condition Report Disclaimer
An archive of WWI primary source ephemera and other memorabilia relating to 8401/718363 Pte H.D. Graham, 17 London Regt, comprising portrait photograph, extensive written correspondence to and from his wife Mabel, including being notified of the death of his father, his time on the front living in 'German concrete dugouts and tunnels behind the front lines', being careful what to say due to censorship, his grateful receipt of '400 cigs', observations such as '..more I see of the war, the more I want to be here with you..', mentions of airmen conquering the Germans, air raids on London, 'taubes' (an early aerial bomber), the capture and interrogation of two German prisoners of war, the various duties he was expected to perform including venturing into the battlefield to 'bury the dead', descriptions of a parcel of gifts form his wife which included fruit which had 'sweated and gone mildewy' with a plea for 'monkey nuts and cake', observations that the French '..drink a good deal of coffee..seldom tea', his battalion going over the top twice, (Graham did not participate), being wounded in October 1918 and being discharged to Bolougne in November 1918, also including his War and Victory medals in a box of issue with ribbons, London Regiment cap badges, his pocket watch, compass. 'Bert' died on 3rd June 1950 with his wife Mabel his sole beneficiary. His son, Herbert served in the RAF during WWII and his archive is also included in this auction as Lot 167
Jerry WHITE (1952) Four Works Four mixed media works framed as one, signed verso, board size 78cm x 54.5cm Shipping is available from £32.50 to a UK Mainland address. Jerry was one of the artists picked as one of the artists to watch in 'Eighty from the Eighties', along with Wilhelmina Barns-Graham, Patrick Heron, Terry Frost and others.
Jerry WHITE (1952) Three Works Three mixed media works framed as one, signed verso, board size 78cm x 54.5cm Shipping is available from £32.50 to a UK Mainland address. Jerry was one of the artists picked as one of the artists to watch in 'Eighty from the Eighties', along with Wilhelmina Barns-Graham, Patrick Heron, Terry Frost and others.
Vintage official London Transport reproduction that was issued for sale to the public at the same time and with the same printing process as the original poster. Chenies, featuring a great image depicting Chenies manor house atop the hill with trees below, text below reads - Chenies Red-brick Manor House and church, resting-place of the Dukes of Bedford, keep a leisurely, benevolent watch over the green valley of the Chess. Foothpaths below cross the modestly surging river by tiny footbridges. A quiet world - no more than 30 minutes away from central London by Undeground. Printed by Johnson Riddle and Co LTD. Very good condition, minor creasing, small tears. Country of issue: UK, designer: Graham Clarke, size (cm): 102x64, year of printing: 1980s.
GREENE GRAHAM: (1904-1991) English novelist. A good correspondence collection of five T.Ls.S., Graham, each one page, 8vo, all on the printed stationery of La Residence des Fleurs, Antibes (although accompanied by the original envelopes, all of which have English postmarks from Tunbridge Wells, Kent), January 1977 to September 1983, all to Tadeusz Murek, Greene's Polish translator and close friend. Greene writes on a variety of subjects, in part, ´I am terribly sorry to read of all the disasters in your family. Do write again and tell me how you are and your poor wife and your son. I do hope that after all you won´t have to leave your Foreign Trade Enterprise because it has given you at least a lot of interesting travel. Apart from an article on Panama I have been doing very little work. Work becomes more difficult with age rather than easier´ (12th January 1977), ´ I admire your energy after being so ill in going to Japan. I don´t really envy the experience. I have only spent one day in Tokyo and I didn´t take to the place at all. I wonder if you have run into my friend Rene de Berval to whom I dedicated The Quiet American......Thank you for the article on Manila. The headline amused me but I think that Manila will wait a long time before it sees me. I did turn down an invitation only a few months ago to some kind of congress there. In spite of the writer I don´t think its my cup of tea. I had an amusing time on my second visit to Panama and went with Torrijos to Washington to watch the signing of the treaty equipped with a Panamanian passport!.....I have a new novel coming out in March which may amuse you´ (14th October 1977), ´About Switzerland I am afraid I have no knowledge of anyone there except my lawyer and my daughter and if you do happen to settle in Lausanne you must meet.....I am afraid that I am the last person to help you as far as the Americans are concerned. They regard me with the utmost suspicion!´ (9th October 1978), ´I am sorry that you found no letter on your return from Belgium. A lot of other people are complaining of no response, but I have been moving around a great deal - Panama, Nicaragua, Cuba, Spain, England......As far as I know Monsignor Quixote like my other books is in the hands of Pax and I leave it to my foreign publishers to arrange translations. Why not write to Pax? I don´t even know whether it has yet appeared in Polish´ (2nd September 1983). VG, 5
George Graham, London. A rare 18K gold key wind open face dumb quarter repeating pocket watchDate: London Hallmark for 1739Movement: Gilt full plate cylinder, pierced and engraved balance cock, diamond end stone, silver regulation, hammers striking on the inside of the case, No.875Dial: White enamel, black Roman numeral hour markers, black outer minute track, gold beetle and poker style handsCase: Finely engraved consular, monogram to back, push repeat through pendant, dust capSigned: Movement & dust capSize: 47mm Accompaniments: KeyFootnotes:George Graham was born in 1673. He was lauded in the world of Horology and worked for Thomas Tompion, both of whom are buried in Westminster Abbey. He became a Freeman in the Clockmakers' Company in 1695 and became a master in 1722.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com
A mixed lot comprising a WW1 Victory and British War Medal pair awarded to 49084 Pte. W.M. Scholes, The Queen's Regiment; large Chester silver-cased pocket watch by Fattorini and Sons, Bradford with inscription to James Scholes, marking his silver wedding anniversary, from the Cigar Makers of A. Baker & Co., April 1911; small silver Albert chain; four other various pocket watches; a one ounce .999 fine silver ingot issued by the Justice Mint with a depiction of Alexander Graham Bell, cased 2002 United Kingdom Proof Coin Set, cased 935-grade silver napkin ring etc. Condition Report:Available upon request
A collection of silver to include: 935 standard open faced pocket watch, white enamel dial with Roman numerals, gilt heightened, stamped to interior case (damage to enamel 8 o'clock) together with two silver napkin rings (triangular and square), two silver fiddle pattern teaspoons, two white metal seal fobs and a plated sifter spoons, combined 925 weight approx 2.82 ozt the square shaped napkin ring engraved: Graham
FILM INTEREST, A LARGE HAND PAINTED CINEMA NOTICE BOARD FOR THE EXORCIST NORTH WALES, CIRCA 1974 'We Apologise for...NOT SHOWING YOU The EXORCIST, BUT YOU CAN SEE IT IN LLANDUDNO and all points North, South East & West BUT NOT IN RHYL!' framed 183cm high, 107cm wide, 4cm deep overall 'Something almost beyond comprehension is happening to a girl on this street, in this house... and a man has been sent for as a last resort. This man is The Exorcist' (Movie poster strapline 1974)Released in 1974 in the UK - William Friedkin's movie of William Peter Blatty's novel provoked outrage in the UK from the church, Mary Whitehouse and her National Viewers' and Listeners' Association and the newspapers of the day. Most of the outrage coming before then film was even released and therefore unseen by its detractors. At the time a UK priest Canon Pearce- Wiggins warned that the film could well induce cases of 'genuine possession' whilst US televangelist Billy Graham denounced the film, claiming there was 'evil in every frame'... As a by-product of fire regulation laws, local councils such as Rhyl, held sway on matters such as this allowing them not to grant license for certain films to be shown. This poster gleefully takes delight in telling interested viewers all the other places they can happily go and watch it - and urges "If you want freedom from local censorship- VOICE YOUR OPINION NOW to your local councillor". 50 years later, and championed by film critics such as Mark Kermode, The Exorcist is no longer banned but celebrated - shocking and delighting new audiences.
A RARE GEORGE III GOLD PAIR-CASED POCKET WATCH WITH CYLINDER ESCAPEMENT AND CENTRE SECONDS EDMUND PRIDEAUX, LONDON, 1774The gilt full plate single fusee movement with four square section baluster pillars pinned through the backplate, scroll-pierced stop-iron block, stop/start lever near nine o'clock and cylinder escapement regulated by sprung three-arm steel balance with Tompion type regulation, the backplate with fine asymmetric foliate scroll pierced and engraved balance cock with faceted diamond endstone, canted zig-zag bordered rim and Ho-Ho bird at the junction with wedge-shaped matted-ground relief engraved foot, flanked by silvered regulation disc set within adjacent conforming applied scroll engraved panel infill opposing signature Edm'd Prideaux, London and numbered No. 8236, with gilt brass dust cover similarly signed Edm'd Prideaux, London along with the serial number, the slightly convex white enamel Roman numeral dial with Arabic five minutes to outer track and sculpted gold beetle-and-poker minute and hour hands and a fine steel centre seconds hand, the gold inner case applied with suspension post and bow at twelve o'clock and engraved with G/S for the stop/start lever near nine o'clock (lacking glass), the outer case with fine moulded rim and bezel surround, both cases marked for London 1774 maker IP.The pillar plate 3.5cm (1.375ins approx.) diameter; the inner case 4.1cm (1.625ins) diameter; the outer case 5cm (2ins) diameter. Edmund Prideaux is recorded in Baillie, G.H. Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World as a maker of 'fine cylinder watches' working in London 1743-90. The cylinder escapement was developed in around 1695 by Thomas Tompion and further refined by George Graham in 1726. This new escapement was perhaps the first developed exclusively for watch work and, as well as being a better rate keeper, the cylinder escapement also allowed movements to be made more compact (due to the escapement operating in one plane only). However, being a form of frictional rest escapement, the cylinder escapement was prone to relatively heavy rates of wear hence was less reliable than the verge (until hardened steel escape wheels and ruby cylinders were developed later in the 18th century). Condition Report: The movement is in fine clean condition with no visible scuffing/marking to the original frosted git finish. The escape wheel appears to possibly be a 'service' replacement otherwise train appears all original. The train is currently fully wound but motive power is not being transmitted fully down the train to the escape wheel suggesting that the train is jammed towards the fusee end - possibly by the start/stop lever. When motive force is very gently applied to the wheel driving the escape wheel the escapement will beat. The dust cover is in fine condition with only minor rust spotting to the slide catch. The dial appears free from any visible damage or evidence of restoration; the ands also appear original and undamaged. The inner case has some very slight shallow denting and is missing its glass otherwise is in very good original condition. The outer case has overall slight denting to rear with some light hammer and other marks to interior suggesting other denting may have been worked/lessened. Both cases retain good clear hall marks.Gross weight 124 grams; there is no winding key present. Condition Report Disclaimer
Y AN INTERESTING QUEEN ANNE EBONY TABLE/BRACKET CLOCKRICHARD STREET, LONDON, CIRCA 1715The six finned pillar twin fusee inside rack bell striking movement now with anchor escapement for regulation by lenticular bob pendulum incorporating worm gear rise/fall regulation to suspension, the backplate finely engraved with leafy herringbone border enclosing symmetrical foliate scrollwork around a central classical bust resting on a shelf draped with a lambrequin signed RICH. STREET, LONDON, the 6.5 inch brass break-arch dial with false bob and calendar apertures and applied silvered oval plate engraved Rich'd Street, London to the finely matted centre within applied silvered Roman numeral chapter ring with cruciform half hour markers and Arabic five minutes beyond the outer minute track, with fine delicate scroll pierced steel hands and unusual winged cherub mask and scroll cast spandrel mounts to angles with the upper concealing engraved rosettes and spare holes indicating original provision of twin selection rings, the arch with rosette-centred subsidiary dial engraved with Arabic numeral hour chapters flanked by bird inhabited foliate scrollwork, the inverted bell-top case with substantial hinged bras carrying handle and crisp complex waist mouldings to the distinctive ogee-shaped superstructure, with ogee and cavetto top mouldings and hinged front applied with complex raised mouldings to the break-arch glazed dial aperture and upper quadrant panels, the sides with rectangular over break-arch glazed apertures and the rear with break-arch glazed door incorporating blind upper quadrant panels set within the frame of the case, on cavetto moulded skirt base with block feet.44cm (17.25ins) high with handle down, 25.5cm (10ins) wide, 17cm (6.75ins) deep. Richard Street is an important but relatively enigmatic maker who is recorded in Baillie G.H. Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World as gaining his freedom of the Clockmakers' Company in 1687, made Assistant in 1713 and appointed Warden 1716. He was a fine maker who had close working connections with Thomas Tompion for whom it is thought he made repeating watch movements (see Evans, Jeremy THOMAS TOMPION at the Dial and Three Crowns page 114). Street is perhaps best known for his commission by Sir Isaac Newton to supply a monumental month duration longcase clock for presentation to Dr. Bentley for the Observatory at Trinity College Cambridge in 1708; he also, alongside William Wright, took over the maintenance of the turret clock at St. Pauls Cathedral from Langley Bradley in 1716. A year going clock in an Arabesque marquetry case by Street survives in the Collection of the National Trust at Melford Hall, Suffolk. The engraving to the backplate of the current lot can be broadly compared to decoration discussed in Dzik, Sunny ENGRAVING ON ENGLISH TABLE CLOCKS, Art on a Canvas of Brass within the chapter titled 'Vine engraving 1700-1740' (pages 313-336). However, perhaps the strongest similarities are seen on backplates for clocks by George Graham illustrated earlier in the publication on pages 276-78 (figures 15.14-.16). From this it would be reasonable suggest that the backplate of the present clock was executed by the same engraver - Tompion/Graham's 'graver G.195'. The case of the present clock also demonstrates a high-quality individual approach with regards to detailing. This is most noticeable within the design of the superstructure which, in addition to being fitted with a particularly generous cast brass handle, has bold waist mouldings over individual ogee-profile to the caddy itself. This departs from the usual stepped ogee profile seen on other cases made by Street's contemporaries, including Quare and Graham; and is suggestive of a maker looking to set himself aside from others. Evidence in both the movement and dial of the present clock indicate that it was originally made with pull-quarter repeat and subsidiary selection dials (one most likely for strike/silent selection) to the upper spandrel areas. Although the mechanism has lost some of its original features, there has been minimal alteration to both the movement and dial. Hence the clock presents as a tantalising restoration project which would result in an example of fine specification and full of individual character reflective of one of the most interesting and enigmatic makers of the period.
A RARE GEORGE III GOLD POCKET WATCH WITH CYLINDER ESCAPEMENT AND CENTRE SECONDS JOHN PYKE, LONDON, LATE 18th CENTURYThe gilt full plate single fusee movement with four square section baluster pillars pinned through the backplate, scroll-pierced stop-iron block, stop/start lever near nine o'clock and cylinder escapement regulated by sprung three-arm steel balance with Tompion type regulation, the backplate with fine symmetric foliate scroll pierced and engraved balance cock with faceted diamond endstone and oriental male mask at the junction with wedge-shaped matted-ground relief engraved foot, flanked by silvered regulation disc set within adjacent conforming applied scroll engraved panel infill opposing signature Jn'o Pyke, London and serial number 2114, with gilt brass dust cover signed Jn'o Pyke, Watch-Maker, to his, ROY'L-HIGHNESS, the, PR of Wales along with the serial number, the slightly convex white enamel Roman numeral dial with winding square to centre, Arabic five minutes to outer track and sculpted steel beetle-and-poker minute and hour hands and conforming centre seconds hand, the gold consular case applied with suspension post and bow at twelve o'clock and with slot for the stop/start lever near nine o'clock, hallmarks indistinct, makers possibly R.P.The pillar plate 3.5cm (1.375ins approx.) diameter; the inner case 5cm (2ins) diameter. John Pyke is recorded in Baillie G.H. Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World as 'clock and watchmaker to the Prince of Wales' working form Grays Inn, London circa 1747-80. It is not known as to whether he was related to the earlier maker of the same name who completed Charles Clay's musical clock at Kensington Palace and died in 1762. The cylinder escapement was developed in around 1695 by Thomas Tompion and further refined by George Graham in 1726. This new escapement was perhaps the first developed exclusively for watch work and, as well as being a better rate keeper, the cylinder escapement also allowed movements to be made more compact (due to the escapement operating in one plane only). However, being a form of frictional rest escapement, the cylinder escapement was prone to relatively heavy rates of wear hence was less reliable than the verge (until hardened steel escape wheels and ruby cylinders were developed later in the 18th century). Condition Report: The movement is visually in fine clean condition with no visible scuffing/marking to the original git finish. The escape wheel appears to possibly be a 'service' replacement otherwise train appears all original. The train is currently fully wound but motive power is almost non-existent at the escape wheel suggesting that the train is partially jammed or the spring is very weak. When motive force is very gently applied to the wheel driving the escape wheel the escapement will just about beat but continued action is not maintained. The dust cover is in good original condition with only minor spotting/discolouration to the slide catch and very light edge rubbing. The dial has a very small enamel chip to the edge of the latch thumbpiece; the brass ferrule to the winding hole may be a later replacement/addition otherwise dial is in fine original condition, Hands appear original and are in fine condition. The case has evidence of probable dent removal to the rear (hence why hallmarks are almost completely erased), some general undulation to the surface and small dent near the hinge, Otherwise the case is in good original condition.There is no winding key included. Condition Report Disclaimer
Graham, London fusee duplex pocket watch movement, with dust cover (lacking dial); together with a thirty-tooth fusee rack lever pocket watch movement with dial, unsigned; Litherland & Co. fusee rack lever pocket watch movement, with dial and dust cover and a fusee repeating pocket watch movement for repair, signed Haley, London, with dial (4)
An 18ct Parkinson & Frodsham open face pocket watch with separate second hand, approx. 5.5cm diameter - Provenance Sir Graeme Hammond, together with a travelling mahogany watch stand CONDITION REPORT We have attached a number of additional images to showcase the lot in further detail - enamel face has crack from 12 to 4 as per images. The pocket watch does tick but will need a clean. The box has writing inside it saying" ADMIRAL SIR GRAHAM HAMMOND - NORTON LODGE YARMOUTH
Magic interest: various titles: GRAHAM REED: MAGICAL MIRACLES YOU CAN DO, London, Kaye and Ward, 1977; JULIEN J PROSKAUER: HOW'D JA DO THAT?, New York, WM C Popper, 1934; OSWALD RAE: THE MORE YOU WATCH, London, G Johnson, 1938, First edition;G S RIPLEY: MAGIC FOR BOYS, New York: Associated Press, 1954, First edition; WILL BLYTH: EFFECTIVE CONJURING, London, Methuen, 1932, 2nd edition; BILL SEVERN: GIVING A MAGIC SHOW, London, Faber, 1965, First edition; H J BURLINGAME: MAGICIAN'S HANDBOOK, Chicago, Wilcox and Follett, 1942, First edition; JOHN BROWN COOK AND ARTHUR BUCKLEY: GEMS OF MENTAL MAGIC, Chicago, 1947, First Edition, Ex libris; PAT CONWAY AND WALT LEES (Ed): THE PAT WAY TO CON - THE ORIGINAL MAGIC OF PAT CONWAY, New York, Magico, 1987, First edition, lacking d/w (9)
A notebook (c A4 size) with approx 109 signatures from managers to inc:Glenn Hoddle, Alex Ferguson, Matt Busby, George Graham, Ron Atkinson, Kenny Dalglish, Trevor Francis, Graeme Souness, Joe Royle, Kevin Keegan, Ossie Ardiles, Bruce Rioch, Jim Smith, Joe Jordan, Bobby Charlton, Alan Ball, Lawrie McMenemy, Terry Venables, Bob Stokoe, Nat Lofthouse, Ray Wilkins, Lou Macari, Peter Shilton, Arsene Wenger, Danny Wilson, Roy Hodgson and more.All obtained in person by the vendor. Click here to watch video: https://youtu.be/x3LwBNovaX4
A good selection of cricketing autographs across several books. An autograph book (pages 13x9cm) with signatures to inc Carl Braithwaite, Shabnim Ismail. Six cricket anthologies/books with signatures to inc: Tim Rice, Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff, Ian Botham, Graeme Hick, Graham Lloyd, Mick Newell, Mike Atherton. A LCC yearbook signed by Chapple. Jimmy Anderson, Du Plessis, Hogg, Laxman, Mahmood.All obtained in person by our vendor.To watch video click here: https://youtu.be/WE0_SK5Mbvg
Graham Farish locomotives including 5 Pole Motor (4 of 6), generally excellent in excellent to good boxes, with BR 50003 Temeaire No.8411, 55013 The Black Watch No. 8425, 55009 Alycidon No. 8416, D1070 Western Gauntlet No. 8117, 47712 Lady Diana Spencer No. 8015 and Load Haul 37150 No. 8006. Contents unchecked for completeness or correctness and untested. Viewing recommended. Qty 6
VICTORIAN SILVER MASONIC POCKET WATCH, the pocket watch face with Roman numeral dials, the inside section at the back of the pocket watch engraved with masonic compass and square motif and text reading: Presented To Bro Arch Graham, Treasurer Of Lodge St, Johns, Kirkintilloch, Kilwinning No 28 By The Brethren April 1874'
A gold key wind pair case pocket watchDate: Inner case hallmarked for London 1766, outer case hallmarked for London 1769Movement: Gilt full plate cylinder escapement, bearing the signature of George Graham, plain 3-arm balance, pierced and engraved balance cock, silver regulation, diamond end stone, No.6497Dial: White, black Roman numeral hour markers, black dot outer minute divisions, gilt spade handsCase: Polished consular inner case, foliate engraved outer caseSigned: Movement, inner case stamped RP, outer HTSize: 51mm Accompaniments: Pocket watch keyFor further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com
A fine first half of the 18th century silver-mounted ebony table clock with pull quarter repeatGeorge Graham, London, no.700, circa 1730The 'Phase 3' case surmounted by a tied bud handle on an inverted bell top with fine mouldings and a double concave moulded cornice, each side with tall arched rectangular glazed windows, on a concave moulded base and block feet, the front door with red silk-backed sound fret to the top rail, and twin applied gilt metal escutcheons, the rear door with glazed panel. The brass dial measuring 5.5ins by 6.5ins, (143mm x 165mm) signed Geo: Graham London between the silvered subsidiary dials, the left offering regulation via a rack and pinion system, the right offering the option of strike/silent, each dial set over a cast silver half-spandrel of foliate scrolls, the lower spandrels both double-screwed and depicting a mask and twin scrolls, the silvered Roman and Arabic chapter ring with floating lozenge half hour markers, the finely matted centre with chamfered mock pendulum and date apertures (the date with pin-hole adjustment) under pierced blued steel hands.The twin chain fusee movement with pivoted verge escapement, the pendulum with lenticular bob and sprung suspension screwed to a tear-drop shaped cock on the rise and fall arm; the striking train with rack system and Tompion-type quarter repeat mounted on the cut-out frontplate and activated via pull cords to each side of the case engaging with a pair of interlocking double-cocked blued steel levers, the movement securing brackets of a similar form. The backplate plain except for the bold signature across the lower part Geo: Graham London, and the number 700 punched along the bottom edge. Ticking, striking and operational repeat system. Together with two case keys and a crank winding key. 22cm wide x 15cm deep x 37cm high, (8 1/2in wide x 5 1/2in deep x 14 1/2in high)Footnotes:Little is known about the early life of the extraordinary watch and clock maker George Graham (circa 1673-1751). He was probably around fourteen years old when apprenticed to clockmaker Henry Aske in 1688. His indenture records that by then his father, also named George, had died and that his previous home had been Fordlands in Cumberland. In 1696 having gained his freedom, the young George Graham joined the workforce of Thomas Tompion (1639-1713) at the Dial and Three Crowns on the corner of Water Lane and Fleet Street. By 1696 Tompion's business was thriving and produced the finest clocks and watches in a distinctive 'house style', each piece with its own unique number. September 25th, 1704, saw the marriage of George Graham and his master's niece, Elizabeth Tompion, at St. Mary-le-Bow Church.At this time Edward Banger (who had also married into his master's family) was Tompion's business partner and had been so for around three years. But the partnership was ill-fated and ended circa 1708. Whatever the reason behind Banger's sudden fall from grace, it ultimately placed Graham as Tompion's successor. Close to the end of Tompion's life, he elevated George Graham to business partner. During this period, Graham's intellect and interest in astronomy begins to shine through the 'house style', when he produced an accurate three-dimensional mechanical model of the Earth, Moon and Sun. His device became commonly known as the Orrery. After Tompion's death in 1713, Graham continued the business in the same manner as his late partner at the Dial and Three Crowns. In 1720 he moved to premises a little nearer to Fleet Bridge, retaining the sign of the Dial and Three Crowns. The 1720s were a highly significant and productive period for George Graham. In the early years of that decade he served as Master of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers as well as being elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. Graham developed the cylinder escapement and first applied it to his watches circa 1726, apparently abandoning use of the verge escapement entirely. Graham did not claim invention of the cylinder escapement. Like the dead-beat escapement in clocks, the cylinder was an improvement of an earlier design.Like his late master, Graham made a number of important astronomical instruments. By applying his skill as a watchmaker to the precise construction of astronomical instruments he was able to create telescopes of unprecedented quality. Two notable examples are the eight-foot mural quadrant made for second Astronomer Royal, Edmond Halley and the twelve-foot zenith sector made for James Bradley. Bradley used his sector to identify two astronomical phenomena: the aberration of light and the subtle wobbling of the Earth on its axis (nutation). His frequent election to the council of the Royal Society gives a good indication to the high regard his contemporaries in the Society had for him.Graham named two of his workmen, Samuel Barkley and Thomas Colley, as executors in his will. He also mentioned that they lived in his house on Fleet Street. Barkley and Colley carried on the business as partners, though Samuel Barkley died soon after in June 1753. It is interesting to note that Thomas Colley named his son, born in 1756, George Graham Colley.We are grateful to Jeremy Evans and Rory McEvoy in their help in compiling this footnote.This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: ** VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com
Stephen Slaughter (1697-1765) Portrait of Sir Edward O Brien, 2nd Baronet MP c. 1735 O.O.C., 126cms x 99cms (49 1/2" x 39"). Provenance: Dromoland Castle, Co. Limerick Born in 1705, Edward O’Brien was the son of Lucius O’Brien and Catherine Keightley (a relative of James II). After studying at Oxford University, he returned to Ireland where he indulged his passion for sports and became one of Ireland’s leading racehorse owners. In 1726 he married Mary Hickman; they had three sons and five daughters. Although it is said that O’Brien was partial to gambling and ran up considerable debts, he denied playing at cards or dice, and such debts as he did incur did not prevent him from carrying out improvements at Dromoland in Co. Clare He added features such as an octagonal pond, a two-storey octagonal turret and a walled garden. From the top of the turret, which still stands, he could survey the estate with its racecourse and watch his horses being trained. According to family legend, O'Brien gambled his entire estate on one race, but happily his horse Séan Buí, named after the 14th century Co. Clare poet Séan Buí MacBruideadha, romped in first. When Séan Buí died, O'Brien built a Temple of Mercury in his honour. In this magnificent portrait by Stephen Slaughter, Edward O’Brien is depicting standing, three-quarter length, with a classical arch in the background. Wearing a powdered wig, he is dressed in a sumptuous gold embroidered coat, heavy embroidery and gilt buttons. His waistcoat, partially unbuttoned to reveal a linen undershirt, is equally elaborate, and he wears a lace cravat. His right hand is on his hip, while with his left he holds a gold-topped cane. This portrait of O’Brien is among those by Stephen Slaughter listed in Strickland’s Dictionary of Irish Artists. Born in London, Stephen Slaughter came from an artistic family and studied under Godfrey Kneller before attending the academy of Louis Cheron and John Vanderbank. He travelled in France and the Netherlands, and in 1732 returned to London. Two years later he visited Ireland and quickly gained attention by painting a portrait of Nathaniel Kane, Lord Mayor of Dublin. He set up studio in Dublin for several years, painting portraits of the Earl of Meath, Richard St. George, and several bishops. Slaughter was particularly skilled at depicting clothing and fabrics, as is evident in this work, and in other portraits, including Sir John Rogerson and William Graham of Platton Hall, Co. Meath. Over the course of his career, Slaughter made several visits to Ireland. In London he painted portraits of Sir Robert Walpole, Lady Georgian Spencer and Sir Hans Sloane. His portraits of William Stewart, 1st Earl of Blessington, Windham Quin of Adare and Henry Boyle, 1st Earl of Shannon were also probably among those painted in Ireland. Slaughter’s Two Women Gathering Fruit (1750) in the Wadsworth Athenaeum is a significant work in the history of portraiture. In 1745 he was appointed Surveyor of the King’s Pictures. He died in Kensington in 1765. Dr. Peter Murray, 2023
GRAHAM, DAN1942 Urbana/Illinois - 1922 New YorkTitel: Fun for Kids at my Work in a Park in Manhatten (für Parkett 68). Datierung: 2003. Technik: Pigmentdruck auf Hahnemühle.Darstellungsmaß: 33 x 42cm. Bezeichnung: Signiert und nummeriert. Herausgeber: Parkett-Verlag, Zürich (Hrsg.). Exemplar: 1/60. Rahmen: Rahmen. Zustand:Verso montiert. Ansonsten befindet sich die Arbeit in einem sehr guten Zustand.Mit Parkett-Magazin."I think I am experiencing my second childhood through my two-way mirror work. I've never read Lacan, but I feel my work involves the Lacanian 'mirror stage' of childhood, when the young child first experiences his/her sense or non-sense of an ego. I know that through my art I make new friends, which I barely had as a child. And through my 'hobbies' of rock music, architectural tourism and travel, I stay young. I know I am a child when I watch other Aries people (I am an Aries) behaving childishly, like me." Dan Graham interview with Carmen Rosenberg Miller, Parkett Nr. 68, 2003.Artikel zu Werk und Künstler aus Parkett Edition Nr. 68. Dan Graham USA Nachkriegskunst Fotografie 2000er Rahmen Kind / Kinder Druckgrafik Pigmentdruck SpielErläuterungen zum Katalog
Victorian silver verge pocket watch, Glasgow 1857, unsigned fusee movement no. 8643, with pierced engraved balance cock with six spokes, flat steel three arm balance, Bosley type regulator, stop/work lever at the four position and cylindrical pillars, dust cover, the dial with Roman numerals, minute track and subsidiary seconds, gilt hands, within a plain case, case maker 'WGT' (William Graham Taylor), 51mm, key; with graduated curb watch chain, with T-bar and clasp, 12.5'' long-Movement - currently functioning, stop/work lever functioning.Dial - light surface marks.Glass - light surface marks.Hands - not matching, light surface marks.Case - mild tarnishing and a couple of indentations to the case back.Chain - the T-bar is marked 12ct rolled gold.-Condition reports are provided for general guidance only. Please view images and further information can be obtained upon request. Gardiner Houlgate do not guarantee the working order or time accuracy of any lots. Due to the opening of the wristwatch case backs, it is recommended watches are re-sealed by professional technicians to ensure any stated water resistance is retained
Graham Farish N Gauge a group of Diesel Locomotives consisting of Ref 8027 Class 47 Red Parcels Diesel Locomotive "Track 29" No.479, Ref 8414 Class 55 two-tone green Diesel Locomotive "Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders" No.D9021 and Ref D9021 and Ref 8415 Class 55 BR blue Diesel Locomotive No.55013 "The Black Watch". Excellent in Good Plus boxes. (3)
Graham Thomas Oakley (British, 1929-2022), A farmhand feeding the pigs, while two ladies watch in disgust, watercolour, unsigned, 18 x 37 cm, (unframed) Provenance: From the estate of the late Graham Thomas Oakley deceased Graham Oakley is best known for the Church Mice series of picture books (1970-2000), next to the Foxbury Force series (1994-1998)Please note these are sold without copyright
† A VERY FINE GEORGE I BURR WALNUT EIGHT-DAY LONGCASE CLOCKGEORGE GRAHAM, LONDON, NO. 662 CIRCA 1725The five latched knopped pillar two train bell striking movement with thick plates measuring 7.625 inches high by 6 inches wide stamped 662 to the lower edge at the rear, the going train with bolt-and-shutter maintaining power, deadbeat escapement with inverted Y-shaped pallets, and regulated by the original brass-rod seconds pendulum with calibrated rating nut reading against a brass nib-piece to the lenticular bob, the rack strike train with finely worked steelwork and extensive use of cocks for the pivots incorporating distinctive sculpted feet screwed to the frontplate, the 12 inch square brass dial with narrow subsidiary seconds ring, shuttered winding holes, calendar aperture incorporating pin adjustment and oval plate signed Geo: Graham, London to the finely matted centre, within applied silvered Roman numeral chapter ring with diamond lozenge half hour markers and Arabic five minutes beyond the minute track, with scroll-pierced blued steel hands and double-screwed fine gilt Indian mask and scroll cast spandrels to angles with foliate strapwork engraved infill to the margins between, the right-hand edge with slotted lever for the bolt-and-shutter maintaining power and the lower edge engraved with repeat signature Geo: Graham, London, the movement and dial with original seatboard and secured via a brass T-bracket applied to the inside of the backboard behind the movement, the case with moulded upstand to the domed caddy surmount set on shallow mounded box upstand with cavetto moulded upper edge, over ogee moulded cornice, foliate scroll fretwork frieze and hinged front with glazed dial aperture flanked by three-quarter columns with crisply cast gilt brass capitals and bases to the front angles, the sides with fine scroll-pierced frets and conforming quarter columns set against bargeboards at the rear continuing up past the frieze to meet the underside of the lintel, the trunk with concave throat moulding over 40 inch rectangular door fronted with fine book-matched figured veneers within a slender herringbone border and complex cavetto cross-grain edge mouldings, the interior of the door with remnants of the original paper equation table beneath ivorine service label for CAMERER CUSS and various inventory numbers, the left hand top edge of the door punch stamped 662, the sides veneered with twin herringbone bordered panels within crossbanded surrounds, the plinth base with cavetto top moulding over herringbone bordered book matched veneered front and conforming single panel veneered sides, on cavetto moulded skirt.224cm (88.25ins) high, 49.5cm (19.5ins) wide, 26cm (10.25ins) deep. Provenance:The property of a central London financial institution; acquired prior to 1925 to form part of a collection housed in a purpose-built prestigious Georgian style office building.George Graham was born in around 1673 in Kirklinton, Cumberland, but by 1688 he had moved to London and entered into an apprenticeship with Henry Aske. Graham gained his freedom of the Clockmakers' Company in 1695 and went to work for Thomas Tompion, whose niece, Elizabeth, he married at St. Mary le Bow in September 1704. After the Tompion's failed partnership with Edard Banger Graham was trusted to become his successor with the two makers entering into a formal a partnership in 1711. On Tompion's death in 1713 George Graham inherited the business 'on the corner of Water Lane in Fleet Street' and continued there until 1720 when he relocated to 'the Dial and One Crown' further up Fleet Street, nearer Fleet Bridge.George Graham maintained the same exacting standards as his former master and also continued the serial numbering system established in around 1680/81. In 1722 he served as Master of the Clockmakers' Company and went on to establish himself as one of the most important clockmakers of his generation. Amongst his achievements was the further development of the deadbeat escapement, invention of the mercury compensated pendulum and the cylinder watch escapement. As well as clocks and watches George Graham was also a highly accomplished maker of scientific instruments with perhaps his most famous creation being the planetarium made for Charles Boyle, Earl of Orrery. He also produced the great mural quadrant for Edmund Halley at Greenwich observatory, also a fine transit instrument and the zenith sector used by James Bradley in his discoveries. Through his observations in testing his very highly regarded compasses Graham also discovered the diurnal variation in the terrestrial magnetic field in 1722/23.George Graham also became an ardent supporter of John Harrison in the development of his marine chronometers to the extent that he forwarded an interest free private loan of £200 to Harrison to facilitate the building of H1. George Graham died in 1751 and was buried next to his former master in Westminster Abbey, leaving the business in the hands of a former apprentices, Samuel Barclay and Thomas Colley. George Graham's legacy is perhaps best reflected by the subsequent work of another former apprentice, Thomas Mudge, who went on to continue in the development of the marine chronometer after Harrison, and to invent the lever watch escapement. The present clock is a fully-developed 'textbook' example of George Graham's highly refined design of longcase clock produced from just prior to 1720 until around the time of his death in 1751. Very much following in his former master's footsteps the fully latched movement incorporates bolt-and-shutter maintaining power, very finely finished delicate steelwork and extensive use of cocks for the under-dial motion and strike work. The escapement is of 'Graham' deadbeat type however this design of escapement was first used by Tompion for two regulators for Greenwich observatory in 1776. The original pendulum is a nice, relatively rare survivor and allows precise adjustment via the calibrated rating nut reading against a nib-piece applied to the large lenticular bob. The dial is beautifully finished with engraving between spandrels executed by Tompion's engraver 'G515' (see Dzik, Sunny ENGRAVING ON ENGLISH TABLE CLOCKS, Art on a Canvas of Brass 1660-1800 page 224). The case is beautifully proportioned with sophisticated mouldings and very well chosen tight-grained veneers laid to exhibit their fine figuring to best effect. The extensive use of fine scroll-pierced frets is a Tompion/Graham trait and details such as herringbone bordered crossbanded panels to each side of the plinth demonstrate an attention to detail beyond any other maker of the period. Amongst George Graham's surviving walnut longcase clocks, number 661 (the preceding serial number to that of the present clock) was offered at Bonham's, London, sale of Fine Clocks 9th December 2008, (lot 141 - with no caddy superstructure present) for £80-120,000; and was more recently sold (with a restored caddy) by Ben Wright, Tetbury for an undisclosed sum. Number 681 is known as 'The Cay Graham' as it still retains its original record of sale to Robert Cay (1649-1754) in 1728...TO READ MORE, PLEASE CLICK HERE
A FINE AND RARE PAIR-CASED VERGE FUSEE STRIKING CLOCK-WATCHTHOMAS TOMPION, LONDON, CIRCA 1697, THE DIAL AND CASES LATERThe gilt full plate movement with three tulip and two narrow vase pillars pinned through the backplate, the fusee going train with scroll-pierced stop-iron block and verge escapement regulated by sprung three-arm balance with Tompion type regulation, the locking plate controlled strike train with fine scroll pierced and engraved standing barrel, foliate sculpted steel detent gates and sounding via a hammer positioned beneath the spring barrel on a bell fitted to the interior of the case, the backplate with symmetrical foliate scroll pierced and chased cock decorated with a female mask at the junction with the conforming pierced foot, flanked by silvered regulation disk set within further applied engraved fretwork opposing silvered countwheel with concentric leaf engraved centred and numbered divisions, next to signature Tho: Tompion, London with number 83 engraved just above the concentric ring-turned blued steel strike stop-work wheel partly concealed by the balance cock, now with slightly convex white enamel Roman numeral dial incorporating twin gold collected winding holes to centre and arcaded minute ring with Arabic five minutes above the hour numerals, with fine sculpted gold beetle and poker hands, now in silver-gilt inner case with pierced and engraved scrolling foliate decoration to rear, suspension post and ring at twelve o'clock and fitted with convex glass to bezel, with a leather covered gilt brass outer case with crisp mouldings to bezel surround and waist.The pillar plate 35mm (1.375ins) diameter; the outer case 5.5cm (2.125ins approx.) diameter. Provenance: The property of a private collector, purchased Sotheby's New York sale of The Thielmann Collection of Watches, Clocks and Scientific Instruments 26th June 1989 (lot) 301 for $2,750 USD. Previously in the Wertheimer Collection. Thomas Tompion has often been referred to as the 'father of English clock and watchmaking'. When considering the legacy of his work and influence on subsequent generations, such a compliment is justly deserved. Born in Ickwell, Suffolk in 1639 Thomas Tompion appears to have developed an affinity for metalworking from his father, also named Thomas, who worked as a blacksmith. By 1670 Tompion had moved to London and was working in the clock and watchmaking trade. Although there is no record of his apprenticeship or whether he received any formal training prior to moving to London, he quickly became established and obtained his freedom of the Clockmaker's Company in late 1671. His early clocks demonstrate a close working relationship with the Fromanteel, East and Knibb workshops. Around this time Tompion became friendly with eminent mathematicians and scientists such as Robert Hooke and Jonas Moore - perhaps the most progressive and inventive minds of the day. Such associations lead to Royal commissions, firstly from Charles II for whom Tompion is known to have made one of the earliest balance-spring watches in 1676 and later William III who ordered numerous clocks to furnish his various palaces throughout his reign. As well as being an extremely talented artisan Tompion was also commercially minded, cleverly introducing serial numbering for his watches and clocks from around 1681/2. This, as well as maintaining a high degree of refinement in both the design and construction of his clocks and watches, ensured the highest level of exclusivity for clients purchasing from him. In around 1701 Thomas Tompion took a former apprentice, Edward Banger, into partnership. Banger was originally apprenticed to Thomas Ashby in 1687 but was transferred over to Tompion and gained his freedom of the Clockmaker's Company in 1695. He was clearly a talented maker (when considering the few examples signed by Banger alone) however a serious problem between him and his former master caused the partnership to come to an abrupt end in 1707-8 for reasons unknown. On Banger's departure Tompion reverted to working alone until he found confidence in George Graham who had been engaged as a journeyman for Tompion since 1696. Graham's character had already been given the seal of approval by Tompion who allowed him to marry his niece, Elizabeth, in 1704; however it still would be a few years before Tompion would take Graham into partnership which he eventually did in 1711. Thomas Tompion died in November 1713 leaving the business to George Graham who maintained the same exacting standards and became famous in his own right with notable achievements including the development of the deadbeat escapement for pendulum clocks and the cylinder escapement for watches. Of Tompion's known surviving work as recorded by Jeremy Evans in Evans, Jeremy, Carter, Jonathan and Wright, Ben THOMAS TOMPION, 300 YEARS only twenty-one clock-watches are noted. Three of these are signed by Tompion in partnership with Edward Banger and of the remaining eighteen only around four retain their original dials and cases. An almost identical movement, The Bridgeman Tompion Clock-watch (numbered 73 and dating to 1696), is illustrated by Evans, Carter and Wright on page 58. Condition Report: Movement is in fine clean fully working condition having being recently conserved with following work done (as per the watchmaker's worksheet):Movement overhauled, cleaned, lubricated; case and dial cleaned.Replacement locking lever spring and screw made and fitted using existing crew and steady pin holes.New mainspring fitted.New strike spring fitted.Various screws renewed with hand-made replacements.Fusee pivot upper bushing re-bushed, wear in strike train addressed.Central bell-mounting boss repaired and fitted with new securing screw.Cracked blade to the locking gate renewed with a hand-made replacement.All the above work has been executed to the highest standard hence with any replaced screws matching the originals in shape and quality and repairs very sensitively executed. The dial enamel has a slight crescent-shaped crack to the edge above the X numeral otherwise is free from visible faults. The inner case is in fine original condition but with overall noticeable thinning to the gilding. The outer case is in good original condition with only minor scuffs to the leather covering and some rubbing to the gilding.Watch has a winding key included. Condition Report Disclaimer
A FINE GEORGE III GOLD PAIR-CASED POCKET WATCH WITH CYLINDER ESCAPEMENT AND CALENDARTHOMAS MUDGE, LONDON, 1763The gilt full plate single fusee movement with four square section baluster pillars pinned through the backplate, scroll-pierced stop-iron block and cylinder escapement regulated by sprung three-arm steel balance with Tompion type regulation, the backplate with fine asymmetric foliate scroll pierced and engraved balance cock with faceted diamond endstone, canted leaf-bordered rim and grotesque mask at the junction with wedge-shaped relief engraved foot, flanked by silvered regulation disc set within adjacent applied scroll engraved panel infill opposing signature Tho's Mudge, London and numbered 182, with gilt brass dust cover similarly signed Tho's Mudge, London and slightly convex white enamel Roman numeral dial incorporating rare date-of-the-month aperture to centre, Arabic five minutes to outer track and with sculpted steel beetle and poker hands, the gold inner case applied with suspension post and ring at twelve o'clock, fitted with convex glass to bezel and marked for London 1763 maker P.M, the associated outer case marked for London 1752 maker Mb. The pillar plate 3.5cm (1.375ins approx.) diameter; the outer case 5cm (2ins) diameter. Thomas Mudge was born in Exeter, Devon in 1717 and was apprenticed to George Graham before setting himself up in business at 151 Fleet Street, London in 1748. At around the time of the death of his former Master in 1751, Mudge was joined in partnership by a fellow former apprentice of Graham, William Dutton, who is recorded in Baillie, G.H. Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World as apprenticed in 1738 and gaining his freedom of the Clockmakers' Company in 1746. The business subsequently traded from 148 Fleet Street and Mudge, whilst in partnership with Dutton, rapidly acquired a reputation as one of England's outstanding watchmakers. In around 1755, if not earlier, Mudge invented the detached lever escapement, which he first applied to a clock, but when incorporated into a watch became the greatest single improvement ever applied to them. In 1765 Mudge published the book Thoughts on the Means of Improving Watches, Particularly those for Use at Sea, and the following year, alongside Dutton, was elevated to Liveryman. In around 1771 Thomas Mudge retired to Plymouth in order to spend more time to pursue his development of a marine timekeeper. The first of these went on trial in 1774 where it performed superbly leading to an award of 500 guineas. Mudge went on to complete two others in 1779 in the continuing attempt to satisfy the increasingly difficult requirements set by the Board of Longitude. They were tested by the Astronomer Royal, Nevil Maskelyne, and declared as being unsatisfactory. There followed a controversy in which it was claimed that Maskelyne had not given them a fair trial. A similar controversy had arisen when John Harrison had been denied the full amount of the 1714 prize by the Board of Longitude. Eventually, in 1792, two years before his death, Mudge was awarded £2,500 by a Committee of the House of Commons who decided for Mudge and against the Board of Longitude, then headed by Sir Joseph Banks.The cylinder escapement was developed in around 1695 by Thomas Tompion and further refined by George Graham in 1726. This new escapement was perhaps the first developed exclusively for watch work and, as well as being a better rate keeper, the cylinder escapement also allowed movements to be made more compact (due to the escapement operating in one plane only). However, being a form of frictional rest escapement, the cylinder escapement was prone to relatively heavy rates of wear hence was less reliable than the verge (until hardened steel escape wheels and ruby cylinders were developed later in the 18th century). Condition Report: Movement is in clean working condition with strong gilding and minimal marks to the backplate. The escape wheel appears to be a service replacement otherwise all appears original and the calendar is operational. The dust cover is original and in good condition with only very slight oxidation to blued steel slide. The dial has some slight chipping around the thumb lever to the lower edge; the hands are original and very nicely finished. The inner case is in good condition with relatively light age-related wear however the bezel appears to be very slightly different in colour so may well be a very well-made replacement and the glass appears relatively recently fitted. As catalogued the outer case is associated but is a very good fit.There is no winding key present. Condition Report Disclaimer
A GEORGE I POCKET WATCH MOVEMENT IN LATER SILVER CASEGEORGE GRAHAM, LONDON, NO. 5078 CIRCA 1725, THE DIAL AND CASE 1795The gilt full plate single fusee movement with four square section baluster pillars pinned through the backplate, scroll-pierced stop-iron block and verge escapement regulated by sprung three-arm steel balance with Tompion type regulation, the backplate with fine symmetrical foliate scroll pierced and engraved balance cock with jewelled endstone and fine female mask at the junction with conforming pierced and engraved foot, flanked by silvered regulation disc set within adjacent applied scroll engraved panel infill opposing signature Geo. Graham, London and numbered 5078, now with a later slightly convex white enamel Roman numeral dial and gilt spade hands, the later silver inner case applied with suspension post and ring at twelve o'clock, fitted with convex glass to bezel and marked for London 1795 maker W.H. for William Howard II, the outer case with marks matching the inner. The pillar plate 3.5cm (1.375ins approx.) diameter; the outer case 5cm (2ins) diameter. George Graham was born in around 1673 in Kirklinton, Cumberland, but by 1688 he had moved to London and entered into an apprenticeship with Henry Aske. Graham gained his freedom of the Clockmakers' Company in 1695 and went to work for Thomas Tompion, whose niece, Elizabeth, he married at St. Mary le Bow in September 1704. After the Tompion's failed partnership with Edard Banger Graham was trusted to become his successor with the two makers entering into a formal a partnership in 1711. On Tompion's death in 1713 George Graham inherited the business 'on the corner of Water Lane in Fleet Street' and continued there until 1720 when he relocated to 'the Dial and One Crown' further up Fleet Street, nearer Fleet Bridge.George Graham maintained the same exacting standards as his former master and also continued the serial numbering system established in around 1680/81. In 1722 he served as Master of the Clockmakers' Company and went on to establish himself as one of the most important clockmakers of his generation. Amongst his achievements was the further development of the deadbeat escapement, invention of the mercury compensated pendulum and the cylinder watch escapement. As well as clocks and watches George Graham was also a highly accomplished maker of scientific instruments with perhaps his most famous creation being the planetarium made for Charles Boyle, Earl of Orrery. He also produced the great mural quadrant for Edmund Halley at Greenwich observatory, also a fine transit instrument and the zenith sector used by James Bradley in his discoveries. Through his observations in testing his very highly regarded compasses Graham also discovered the diurnal variation in the terrestrial magnetic field in 1722/23.George Graham also became an ardent supporter of John Harrison in the development of his marine chronometers to the extent that he forwarded an interest free private loan of £200 to Harrison to facilitate the building of H1. George Graham died in 1751 and was buried next to his former master in Westminster Abbey, leaving the business in the hands of a former apprentice, Samuel Barclay (who subsequently entered into partnership with Thomas Colley). George Graham's legacy is perhaps best reflected by the subsequent work of another former apprentice, Thomas Mudge, who went on to continue in the development of the marine chronometer after Harrison, and to invent the lever watch escapement. The present watch is noted in Evans, Jeremy, Carter, Jonathan and Wright, Ben THOMAS TOMPION, 300 YEARS as a timepiece in a silver case with no dates provided for the case hallmark. The nearest adjacent watches with recorded dates for their cases are 5065 dated 1724 and 5012 dated 1725. From this the movement of the present watch can be dated to 1724/25.
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